Harlequins 14-40 Bristol Bears - Gallagher PREM reaction as Genge spearheads superb performance from six-try visitors

PREM / Regular

Allianz Stadium Twickenham / 20.12.2025

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20:40

BEARS THRASH QUINS WITH SIX TRIES IN THE BIG GAME TO CONTINUE STRONG FORM

Bristol Bears resumed their strong form in the Gallagher PREM as they cantered to a 40-14 win over Harlequins in the Big Game at the Allianz Stadium.

The visitors were clinical in the red zone throughout the first half, going over four times, despite only having four phases in the Quins 22.

Kalaveti Ravouvou, Joe Batley, Gabriel Oghre and Louis Rees-Zammit were the names on the scoresheet, the latter starting at full-back for the first time for Bears as he showed his pace and prowess chasing after his own kick to go over.

While Harlequins created chances, they were unable to keep their composure in attack, and went into half-time scoreless for the second time in four matches.

Luke Northmore was a particularly guilty party, fumbling the ball three times at crucial moments as Quins lacked rhythm.

Santiago Grondona added a fifth try for Bristol, before Rodrigo Isgro finally got some points on the board in front of a packed Twickenham, with a pirouetting dive over a crowd of bodies to touch down.

However, Ellis Genge put the cherry on top of a wonderful performance when he drove 50 yards up the right flank to go over, much to the delight of his teammates.

Despite Marcus Smith’s consolation late try, Harlequins remain eighth in the table, while Bristol stay fifth, but just four points off top.

20:35

CARE: 'HELPLESS' QUINS LACKING LEADERSHIP IN THEIR SIDE

Former England international Danny Care speaking on TNT Sports: "That's the stark reality of where Quins are at the moment. I'll say it again, Bristol were absolutely brilliant today. If they play like that all year, it will take a very good team to beat them.

"Jason Gilmore was absolutely right, [Harlequins] were second best in every single aspect of the game. When you boil the game of rugby union down, it comes to physicality.

"And Quins were the least physical side out there on both sides of the ball.In attack, they looked a little bit helpless. They were running straight into people, we didn't see the Quins flair.

"And in defence, they were so soft, which is a worrying thing. They didn't fire a shot. It took 47 phases in the red zone for Quins to score their first try.

"Scaz mentioned it, the red zone efficiency was the worst in the league before that game. I would hate to see the stats on that now.

"There's a lot of leadership that's left. Will Collier, Andre Ezterhuizen, Joe Marler. Unfortunately, they maybe haven't replaced them yet. We hear rumours of big signings for next season, which is great. It's unforgiving, rugby. They've got to get back on the horse and quickly."

20:25

GILMORE: 'WE LET BRISTOL DANCE THEIR WAY TO A HALF-TIME LEAD'

Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore speaking to TNT Sports: "Yeah, really disappointed. First half, didn't roll our sleeves up. We didn't go to the contest, and we just let Bristol dance their way to a half-time lead.

"Second half, we fought back. I thought we showed some commitment there. But you can't wait to 40 minutes to actually roll your sleeves up.

"I thought we were in a pretty good spot. We had a good week of preparation. Sometimes you can have the gameplan and and all the detail, but at the end of the day, you've got to put your body in front of people.

"We didn't win a single collision in the first half. Bristol are such a good team, you can't do that. So that was a pretty simple message and a clear one at half-time."

20:20

LAM: REES-ZAMMIT 'CREATES A LOT' AS A 15 WHILE 'POWER ATHLETE' GENGE IS 'SUCH A WEAPON'

Pat Lam speaking to TNT Sports on Ellis Genge: "He's a power athlete. The biggest thing is when you have a player like that, you have to use him in certain ways. We try to get him on the ball as much as we can. He's just such a weapon.

On Louis Rees-Zammit: "We had a bit of a reshuffle, but we know we have Gabs Ibitoye coming back soon. I wanted to give him some space. Sometimes, when he's on the wing, he doesn't get as much space back there.

"I wanted to wait until he could get his fitness back up. He creates a lot for us in that position. Putting him in places where we can use him really well, either as a decoy or in space. A couple of times throughout training I've been showing him lines. He got the fruit of the work he's been doing in the week.

On the result: "What I'm most pleased about is we conceded 12 against Saints, 16 against Scarlets, 12 against Pau, and 14 today. What I'm really pleased about is we made Quins work really hard for those two tries, putting bodies on the line.

"Genge mentioned it at half-time. I bet the ref is going to try and even this game up. We gave away six penalties at half-time and suddenly it's 15 in the second half.

"We had three or four big defence sets. That's a big area that Jordan Crane has put a lot of work in with our defence leaders."

20:15

GENGE: 'I ACTUALLY SCORED ONE OF THEM IN TRAINING THIS WEEK'

More from Ellis Genge on his 50-metre try: "I was never passing that was I? I actually scored one of them in training this week. I think the lactate took over and I slowed down. The only try from 50 that peaked at five metres per second.

On the race to get into the top four: "It's neck and neck at the top. We want to be top four, everyone does. We've backed up so many good days in training, and I feel it's coming to fruition now.

"Our issue is let's keep doing it. Continuity, that's all I want for Christmas."

'He's like a bull! - Genge lays waste to Quins defence with demolishing 40m try

Video credit: TNT Sports

20:10

BEARS KEEP PACE WITH FRONTRUNNERS

So what does that all mean for the table?

Well, for Bristol it's no change in position but they keep close to the top four, who are separated by just one point. Bears are three points further back with five wins from seven.

For Harlequins, it is getting pretty dire. They sit eighth, ahead of only Gloucester and Newcastle.

20:04

GENGE: 'WE HAVE A REALLY SPECIAL BIT BUILDING AROUND THE OFF-THE-BALL STUFF'

Bristol Bears player of the match Ellis Genge speaking to TNT Sports: "Pretty knackered tbh, it's tough as a big lump sitting down for 10 minutes and coming back on. I'm as stiff as cardboard now!

"My calves blew up after, it was a bit of a regret jogging back, I couldn't feel me legs!

On what he was most pleased with tonight: "The work off the ball. It's no surprise we can move it well, we can do that with our eyes shut.

"It's the stuff away from the ball. For me Pedro Rubiolo in the last three weeks has been absolutely incredible. He won't get cheers for it, he ain't running the 50 metre tries but it's that sort of stuff that lets you do it.

"We have a really special bit building around the off the ball stuff. That's the pleasing bit, the 50-metre tries are nice but for me that's what needs to be applauded."

19:55

FULL TIME! HARLEQUINS 14-40 BRISTOL BEARS

Just one minute remaining and it is Quins with the last attack. They win a penalty and Smith kicks for touch.

Riley tries to get the try that TMO robbed him of but Bristol turn the ball over and kick clear to seal the win!

That is the full-time whistle and Bristol can celebrate a dominant victory in the Big Game.

78'

WATCH: GENGE LAYS WASTE TO QUINS DEFENCE WITH DEMOLISHING 40M TRY

'He's like a bull! - Genge lays waste to Quins defence with demolishing 40m try

Video credit: TNT Sports

75'

TRY! HARLEQUINS 14-40 BRISTOL BEARS (SMITH)

It will be a penalty for Harlequins though as the aforementioned tackle was too high. they kick into touch.

And finally, Harlequins unpick the defence with slick play. Marcus Smith finds a gap to step into and touches down with ease.

73'

RILEY DENIED TRY AFTER TMO REVIEW

James Williams has now got a yellow card for tripping Will Evans after getting dispossessed. His day is done now, with less than 10 minutes remaining.

It is fluid stuff from Harlequins as they work the ball from right to left with slick passes. They then move inside and Sam Riley goes over to get a consolation try.

Or will he? Isgro was tackled into touch in the buildup so the try won't count!

72'

WATCH: QUINS FINALLY STRIKE THROUGH ISGRO AFTER SCORELESS 60 MINUTES

Quins finally strike through Isgro after scoreless 60 minutes

Video credit: TNT Sports

71'

BRISTOL STILL ON THE FRONT FOOT AS THEY GO BACK TO 15 ON THE PITCH

Replays show Genge got that run going after a fantastic quick lineout from Boshoff. He has been fantastic on debut.

Jordan is back on the field now after his yellow card expired. Harry Randall then executes a brilliant 50-22 to keep the visitors on the front foot.

65'

TRY! HARLEQUINS 7-40 BRISTOL BEARS (GENGE)

Isgro might be eyeing up LA28 with that bit of gymnastics. He reminded me of a whale elegantly coming up for air, before crashing back down for the try.

On a more serious note, Bristol win a penalty and, surprisingly perhaps, opt for the posts with Jordan still off the pitch.

Kicking duties will fall to James Williams, whose effort clatters the right post.

But just seconds later, Genge, back on the pitch, bursts down the right flank to add a sixth try for the Bears!

He's just run 45 metres and dodged four tackles. He looks delighted with himself.

61'

TRY! HARLEQUINS 7-33 BRISTOL BEARS (ISGRO)

This is the closest Harlequins have gone to scoring, but they are stopped in the nick of time.

Woolmore has to go off for a HIA, so Genge is back on. Grondona is also off for the same reason.

Guido Peti tries to muscle his way through but no luck. They are getting closer.

And finally, Rodrigo Isgro pirouettes mid-air to get the ball over the line underneath the sticks!

59'

JORDAN BOOKED FOR BEARS

Quins lineout, but Bristol's maul drives them back. However, Harlequins drive right back forward and win a penalty advantage, which is needed after Smith's kick is too deep.

Oh, and Jordan has picked up a booking for entering the maul from the side. Chance for Quins?

57'

HARLEQUINS WASTE ANOTHER VISIT INTO THE RED ZONE

Kenningham does well to win a penalty as Bristol hold onto the ball for too long. That stoppage allows Jack Walker to return after his booking.

Another foray into the 22 for Harlequins, their eighth of the match. None of their previous seven have been successful.

And nor will this one, as Bristol win a scrum and clear.

53'

BEARS ROTATE THEIR FRONT ROW

Bristol are really making the extra man count. They have so much more strength as they inch forwards in the red zone.

Finally Quins clear and Bristol will reshuffle their entire front row, bringing on Harry Thacker, Jake Woolmore and George Kloska.

51'

WATCH: REES-ZAMMIT SECURES BONUS POINT WITH BEAUTIFUL CHIP AND CHASE

'He loves the big stage!' - Rees-Zammit secures bonus point with beautiful chip and chase

Video credit: TNT Sports

49'

BRISTOL UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE HARLEQUINS 22 FOR ONCE

No points on the board, 33 points down, one player in the sin bin. It can't keep going on like this, can it?

Rees-Zammit gets into the 22 but a pass goes forward and, for once, Harlequins survive.

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