Saracens 12-23 Harlequins: Gallagher Premiership result as Quins second half flourish completes historic derby win

Harlequins completed their first away victory over Saracens since 2012, beating their arch-rivals 23-12 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Quins trailed 12-0 at half-time but battled back brilliantly in the second half, scoring 23 unanswered points to pick up a crucial victory ahead of some difficult upcoming fixtures.

Jamie Benson replaced Jarrod Evans at half-time and the visitors improved drastically, with Benson producing a brilliant performance, including three penalty conversions from three attempts.

Ben Waghorn scored Quins' first points of the afternoon, diving under the posts with 20 minutes to play, following some brilliant work from Oscar Beard, to set their comeback underway.

Half-time replacement Benson then kicked three penalties to put Quins ahead deep into the second half.

Will Porter dived over in the last minute, after some fantastic footwork from Nick David, to seal a first derby double over Saracens since the 2008/09 season.

Harlequins have now moved up to fourth place in the Gallagher Premiership, leapfrogging Saracens, Sale Sharks and Gloucester, who face Bath Rugby tomorrow.

Saracens started the game in emphatic style, with Samoan international Theo McFarland crushing over after just five minutes.

The hosts intercepted Alex Dombrandt’s pass before bursting up the pitch and winning a penalty in Harlequins’ 22’.

Jamie George took a quick free-kick and McFarland was on hand to dive over the line.

Harlequins slowly came back into the first half, controlling most of the possession, but they were unable to break down a resolute Sarries defence.

Saracens doubled their try tally right at the end of the first half, with Tobias Elliot going over in the corner, following some fantastic handling work by substitute Alex Goode.

However, a depleted Quins side battled brilliantly in the second half to stun Saracens and complete a derby day double over their London rivals.

Harlequins now face leaders Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground next weekend with plenty of internationals returning, whilst Saracens face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

"To win here against a really strong and physical Saracens side is an unbelievable feeling," player of the match Jamie Benson told TNT Sports.

"I am glad it looked like I was calm, I certainly didn't feel it, but I am glad to come off the bench and help the lads get the win today.

"I think we did some good stuff in the first half, but we didn't manage to finish things. The message at half-time was to keep doing the same things, and we would get our rewards in the end.

"I think I just wanted to resort back to what I have done in training for years, try not to think about the crowd and occasion and try to kick it between the sticks.

"That is the beauty of this league, things can change so much in one day, that's why we are fighting so much to keep winning and end up where we want to be."

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.

Wow, wow, wow! What a result and second half performance from Quins. They complete their first away victory over Saracens since 2012.

That was fantastic!

Quins score again and surely that is the match! They win the ball in the air before working the ball wide to David, who finds Porter and he makes no mistake with the finish.

That was brilliant from Quins, who have really turned up in this second half.

Benson adds the extra two points.

Benson slots his third penalty of the afternoon to put Quins four points clear!

What a second half this young man is having.

The referee decides that Lozowski's high-tackle is only worthy of a penalty and not a card.

However, Benson is stepping up here, with a chance to add another three points.

Evans is down and looks in a bad away here. The TMO is looking at potential foul play from Lozowski, who leads high with his arm on Evans.

Will he be shown a card?

Willis is replaced by Nathan Michelow for Saracens.

Benson slots over another penalty with ease and Quins are in front!

What a second half this has been from the visitors!

Benson produces a brilliant penalty kick from just inside Saracens' half, to bring Quins within two points of their opponents.

Marco Riccioni is replaced Alec Clarey and Gareth Simpson replaces van Zyl.

We have a brilliant last ten minutes here!

"We have been a little bit clunky, especially our work in their 22', they have been really aggressive round the breakdown and their post-tackle work has been really good, we failed to deal with that in the first half.

"It is good to get a reward there, space has started to ppen up as both teams have made a few changes, so the game might suit us in the last 20 minutes.

"It has been a plan of ours to keep the ball in the air, we know they were fully-loaded coming into this, so we needed to make the game a bit of a fight.

"We have been pretty happy with what we have done," said Quins coach Nick Evans to TNT Sports.

Lozowski misses a penalty from distance for Saracens.

That would have been handy for Saracens right now.

Quins finally score! Oscar Beard produces a brilliant break after some great midfield play and finds Ben Waghorn, who scores under the posts.

The conversion is made and Harlequins are back in the game.

The TMO is reviewing a head-on-head collision between Will Evans and Nick Tompkins.

Evans could see a card here, with Tompkins going off for a head injury assessment, replaced by Onyeama-Christie, who returns from a horrible injury.

The referee eventually decides that just a penalty will suffice.

Halfpenny is replaced by Tyrone Green at full-back for Quins.

Harlequins have another period of pressure deep into Saracens' 22', but the hosts manage to turn the ball over again.

Quins need to get on the scoreboard here.

Jones is replaced by Jordan Els for the visitors.

Eroni Mawi, George and Hugh Tizard are replaced by Phil Brantingham, Theo Dan and Nick Isiekwe for Saracens.

Saracens break through Quins' midfield brilliantly through Juan Martin Gonzalez, before the ball ends up with Ivan van Zyl, who looks destined to score.

However, Quins scramble back brilliantly to stop the try and win a penalty at the breakdown.