Harlequins 24-22 Exeter Chiefs result - Danny Care secures final win for Quins against relentless Exeter in Gallagher Premiership
PREM / Regular
Twickenham Stoop / 18.05.2025
/assets.tntsports.io/web/img/match/rugby-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/teamsports/club/logo/300/11980.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/teamsports/club/logo/300/24851.png){kind=logo}
3
3
3
2
1
1
0
0
Live
Live Updates
Updated 18/05/2025 at 18:36 GMT+1
- All
- Highlights
MATCH REPORT: Harlequins 24-22 Exeter Chiefs - Thriller at the Stoop ends in a narrow win for Harlequins
In a gripping Gallagher Premiership clash at The Stoop, Harlequins edged past Exeter Chiefs 24-22 in a game packed with intensity, skill and emotional moments.
The home side honoured club legend Danny Care in his final home appearance, while Exeter fought hard to secure back-to-back wins but fell agonisingly short.
From the outset, both teams showed intent, with Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins leading the visitors in their away white kit, while Harlequins, donning their iconic quarters, were fired up to send Care off in style.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/18/4124552-83628688-2560-1440.jpg)
‘What an end to his season’ – Murley continues fine form to score opening Quins try
Video credit: TNT Sports
The first half was a tense affair, with both sides exchanging tries. Quins’ Cadan Murley and Will Porter crossed the line, while Exeter responded through powerful efforts from Tommy Wyatt and Rusi Tuima.
The scoreline at half-time stood at a narrow 14-12 in favour of the hosts.
Harlequins’ Marcus Smith dazzled with moments of individual brilliance, weaving through defenders to score and calmly converting crucial kicks.
Exeter, meanwhile, showed resilience, with Josh Iosefa-Scott and Stu Townsend making vital plays, including a number of turnovers that kept Chiefs in the contest.
The game ebbed and flowed, with neither team able to build a commanding lead. Exeter’s discipline was tested, as a late yellow card to Wyatt for an offside infringement left them down to 14 men at a crucial stage.
Harlequins capitalised on the numerical advantage and maintained the pressure.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/18/4124580-83629248-2560-1440.jpg)
‘Pure individual brilliance’ – Smith scores after magical run as Quins strike back
Video credit: TNT Sports
In the final moments, Exeter pushed desperately for a late score but were thwarted by stout Quins defence and precise kicking.
Despite their valiant effort, Chiefs fell just two points short in a match that highlighted the skill and intensity of Premiership rugby.
The win keeps Harlequins firmly in play-off contention and provides a fitting farewell to Care, who received a warm send-off from the home crowd.
Exeter will rue missed opportunities but can take heart from their fighting performance as the season heads into its decisive phase.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/18/image-54e21189-81d1-41b3-850d-ee921f735475-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Smith magic inspires Harlequins to tight win over Exeter in Care farewell
Video credit: TNT Sports
Danny Care on his Stoop farewell."It's been a mad week, it's been a really mad week. I felt uncomfortable having so much attention. Everyone thinks I love attention, but I probably feel more comfortable hearing negative things about you than positive, it's a bit strange. But the outpouring of love has been incredible.
"It makes me realise again how special this game is, the amount of amazing people you get to meet. I'm just so glad we got a win because it was looking a bit sketchy at the end.
"I thought I'd have a bit of fun at the end with that kick I tried, I thought I might as well go out with a bang, I don't want to do a boring box kick. It's been a lot, it's been everything. I don't normally cry, I haven't cried in years.
"Then this week I've probably cried 20 times. It's been strange. Me and my wife we have these moments and just talk about things, she goes, I go."
(Wife) Jodie Henson: "All week, neither of us have stopped crying. We just look at each other and keep setting each other off. Today I've actually tried to enjoy it and not cry my whole way through it.
"We're just so proud of him, it's sad not to see him play again."
Care: "We look back at photos of when we met and then when Blake came along. They've grown up in front of Quins fans' eyes as well.
"I came here as a 19-year-old kid and I've come away 38, married, three kids, and incredibly blessed with what I've got and these are the reason I keep doing it. To be able to have some amazing memories with them.
"Hopefully maybe I won't be the only Care on a Twickenham Stoop surface. It's crazy, they sing my name louder than I ever deserved.
"These fans took me into their hearts from day one. I've always tried to play with a smile on my face, tried to have fun, tried to get a few of them off their feet and once again today.
"I'm not gonna get this in another job. I owe this club so much. They've stuck by me through thick and thin and it's been an honour to wear the shirt.
"I'm really excited for the next person who gets the opportunity now because it's a special club, and I'll be supporting them along the way."
DANNY CARE: 'I'VE PROBABLY CRIED 20 TIMES'
It's been a bad week. I felt uncomfortable with the attention. The outpouring of love has been incredible.
I'm so glad we got a win, as it got a bit sketchy at the end. I don't normally cry, but I've probably cried 20 times this week.
The fans sing my name louder than I've ever deserved. I owe this club so much they've stuck by me for so long."
DANNY CARE 394 QUINS APPEARANCES AND 101 ENGLAND CAPS
VIDEO: CARE ENTERS PITCH FOR FINAL HARLEQUINS APPEARANCE
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/18/4124577-83629193-2560-1440.jpg)
‘Everybody gets off their seats’ – Care enters pitch for final Harlequins appearance
Video credit: TNT Sports
VIDEO: SMITH SCORES AFTER MAGICAL RUN AS QUINS STRIKE BACK
‘Pure individual brilliance’ – Smith scores after magical run as Quins strike back
Video credit: TNT Sports
WHICH RUGBY MATCHES ARE ON TNT SPORTS?
Premiership Rugby will see all 93 matches – including the Gallagher Premiership Rugby play-offs and final – on TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports and discovery+ will also continue to broadcast select games from the Premiership Rugby Cup.
TNT Sports and discovery+ will broadcast one Premiership Women’s Rugby match each weekend, as well as both semi-finals and the final.
FULL-TIME! HARLEQUINS 24-22 EXETER CHIEFS
Exeter fall just short at The Stoop in a thrilling contest.
A fantastic effort from both sides.
79'
YELLOW-CARD! EXETER (WYATT) 22-24 HARLEQUINS
Cadan Murley hands off Josh Hodge and explodes down the left wing to make 40m before linking with Tom Lawday.
Chiefs, now back in their 22, compete hard for the ball and it pops out the back.
Tommy Wyatt is retreating and in an offside position but can't help but play the ball.
As a result he gets a yellow card.
Chiefs will finish with 14.
78'
SLADE MAKES A BREAK
Henry Slade breaks through a gap with clear space ahead.
Seeing Tyrone Green closing in, Slade opts to pass to Martin Moloney, who is quickly brought down.
Harlequins swarm the ruck and earn a penalty for not releasing, likely Exeter’s final opportunity.
CROWD CHANT FOR DANNY CARE
75'
CHARGE DOWN CHAOS
Tom Cairns has an attempted box kick charged down and it is carnage as the ball bounces all over the place.
Quins regain possession but Tamati Tua flies out the defensive line to force to drop.
Tua regathers but is smashed and Paul Brown-Bampoe gives up a penalty going off his feet at the ruck.
71'
PENALTY! HARLEQUINS (SMITH) 24-22 EXETER
Marcus Smith slots a penalty after Exeter Chiefs are penalised for offside inside their own 22.
The home side regains the advantage.
70'
EXETER UNDER PRESSURE
Sean Kerr launches a smart kick behind Exeter’s defensive line, forcing Josh Hodge to sprint back toward his own try line to retrieve the ball.
Hodge is forced over his try line but impressively dodges Cadan Murley to return the ball into play.
However, Tom Cairns’ clearance kick fails to gain any significant territory.
65'
DANNY CARE STEPS ONTO THE FIELD
The Quins scrum half comes on and the home crowd find their voice.
63'
PENALTY! EXETER (SLADE) 22-21 HARLEQUINS
Dan Frost quickly makes his mark by scooping up a loose ball and charging downfield, giving Exeter Chiefs early momentum.
After Sean Kerr is caught offside defending, Exeter opts for the kick at goal.
Henry Slade delivers a precise strike from 25 metres out, just to the right of the posts, putting his team ahead by a single point.
60'
TRY! HARLEQUINS (SMITH) 21-19 EXETER
Unbelievable skill from Smith. Marcus Smith weaves his way past four Exeter Chiefs defenders, breaking through the line to score a try right under the posts.
The Quins fly-half displays pure brilliance, proving once again why he’s been selected for the Lions squad.
Smith then calmly slots the conversion.
59'
CHIEFS CONTEST
Stu Townsend is repeatedly putting up high box kicks for his wingers to compete and Paul Brown-Bampoe and Tommy Wyatt are making a good fist of winning the ball back for their side.
The latter gets clattered for his efforts by Tyrone Green.
55'
MORE STRONG DEFENCE
Oscar Beard collects a brilliant chip kick from Marcus Smith and bursts through Exeter's defence, delivering a slick no-look offload.
With Quins threatening deep inside Exeter’s 22, Dafydd Jenkins times his run perfectly, crashing through the middle of the ruck to make a decisive tackle on Will Porter and win another turnover.
52'
STRONG DEFENCE
Exeter Chiefs have forced their ninth turnover of the match, and this one could be the most crucial yet.
A powerful tackle disrupts the Quins’ charge towards the try line, with Dafydd Jenkins diving in to secure the loose ball.
After a tense scramble, Stu Townsend manages to clear the ball with a kick.