Northampton Saints 66-21 Harlequins result - Saints return to top of Gallagher PREM after relentless 10-try demolition of Quins

Northampton Saints were relentless in their 10-try domination of Harlequins as they returned to the top of the Gallagher PREM.

Alex Coles scored a hat-trick on his return to the squad, with Danilo Fischetti and Edoardo Todaro both getting two each to help Saints gain an insurmountable lead over Quins.

The other tries came from England trio Alex Mitchell, Tommy Freeman and Fin Smith, with the best efforts of Alex Dombrandt and Cassius Cleaves coming in vain, as Saints secured a record points tally against their struggling visitors.

Despite an early setback for the Saints as Cleaves got Quins ahead within the first minute, it was downhill from there, with tries from Coles, Mitchell and a double for Fischetti all scored within 12 minutes.

Freeman snuck in a response to Dombrandt's impressive 30th-minute try, after Mitchell set up his team-mate for an uncontested solo run before the break.

But in the second half, Saints were unrelenting as they continued to pick apart Harlequins' defensive failures, with Todaro gliding past the defenders on the wing with ease to clinch the seventh and ninth tries for the Saints.

By the end of the 80 minutes, both sides were battered and bruised as injuries left them with 14-men apiece, with Dombrandt getting a 75th-minute consolation try with the support of Rodrigo Isgro, both of whom were shining lights for the side.

But it was Coles who closed out the match with a hat-trick to give Saints a record 10 tries against Harlequins in the 80th minute.

Phil Dowson spoke to TNT after Saints' record victory over Harlequins.

He said: "We knew that Quins were going to throw the kitchen sink at it and get stuck in, and we weathered that early storm.

"There are some things from the first half we're disappointed with. I thought we did some really good stuff on the attack, but defensively we were a bit shoddy."

On whether there are any concerns within the squad, Dowson added: "There's always concern it can change very quickly. Injuries like Dingwall can have an obvious impact, which is why it's important that the group as a whole are training well together.

"For now, we've won nothing, we've done nothing that's been rewarded with a trophy, and things can change very quickly."

Another defeat for Harlequins leaves them with a nine-point deficit on seventh-placed Sale Sharks.

They have been winless since October and as a result only have one point more than Gloucester in ninth. Its a disappointing start to 2026 for the once formidable side, as they concede their second-most points ever in a premiership match.

Player of the match Alex Coles spoke to TNT after the match.

He said: "With only 10 teams in the PREM every game is so so important, especially at home, you have to really make it a fortress.

"I think there were times when we struggled a little bit today to get going, but for the most part i thought we were really good."

With nine changes from last week, Saints have shown just how strong their squad depth is. Coles agreed but said it's fostering a strong squad mentality.

He said: "Last week, massive credit to the lads who went down to Bath and played so well. It put a lot of pressure on the boys that didn't play that game because there is real pressure for places, really good, healthy competition in the squad.

"I think you saw that today in terms of lads all playing for their places every week. It's a really competitive place to be. We are doing it in such a healthy way, all growing as a team and as individuals."

After that 10-try performance from Saints, they have regained the top spot on the Gallagher PREM table, taking it off Bath who took the spot after this victory to Chiefs earlier today.

And with that conversion from Fin Smith, the whistle blows.

That's an end to Saints record-breaking victory over Harlequins to start off their 2026 with an absolute bang.

Stick around for the post-match debrief.

TRY NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 66 - 21 HARLEQUINS (COLES)

Coles is the player of the match, and so of course it's down to him to get Saints 10th and a hat-trick to boot.

From the tackle, Smith lobs it to Coles just outside the post, and Coles gets his victory try to push the Saints over the 60 mark.

Smith slots the extras to give Saints a record-breaking 66 points over Quins.

Bryn Bradley denies Saints 60 again as Saints go down the opposite wing. Hendy is taken out by the legs, but hands it off to Freeman who seems unstoppable, until Bradley rolls under him and prevents the try.

Its 14 on 14 with all the injuries around the pitch, Hendy has to limp on.

Saints given a second chance of reaching the 60 points mark with a penalty advantage as Smith kicks them to within touching distance.

Pearson scores, but its later ruled out after TMO declares that Wright knocked it on by losing control in the preceding move.

Not quite 60 yet.

TRY NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 59 - 19 HARLEQUINS (DOMBRANDT)

If there were two players to note from this struggling side, it would be Dombrandt and Isgro who have been a bright spark.

Isgro found a chink in the Saints' defensive armor, but it was Dombrandt who secured the try.

TRY NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 59 - 14 HARLEQUINS (TODARO)

Tries for the Saints are like buses today.

Todaro was not going down. Being tackled by three men is no problem for the Italian who remarkably remains standing and just like butter slips through all of them.

It's a try worth framing, after Fin Smith opened the opportunity with a sublime pass from the ruck.

TRY NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 54 - 14 HARLEQUINS (SMITH)

The pace on Todaro is insane, as once he is given the ball from Hendy, he makes up 20 metres of ground easily.

He is caught by Isgro, but Saints deal with the tackle well. Saints continue to work through the phases. The ball looks to be knocked on, by Van der Merscht's head by chance, but Smith is on-side to collect it and leap over the line.

After brief TMO review, its deemed good to go and Saints for the first time in history score a half century over Harlequins.

A great section of play from Isgro and Smith creates an inkling of a try for Quins, but a group of Saints are there waiting for Isgro and end the run.

Saints now making up for their earlier defensive errors by not giving quins an inch as Ramm brings down a charging Cleaves, as Smith has Saints back in Quins half.

Quins have their best chance in the whole half for a try, but Saints defend well, as Quins are unable to capitalize on a scrum inside the Saints red zone.

Smith kicks it up the pitch and Quins lose their shot.

Isgro throws away a chance at a try as he kicks for the try-line on the wing, but it goes out after hitting an opponents leg.

Saints are applying pressure on Quins.

Record-breaking play from the Saints now as Hendy supports Todaro on the flank for another superb try and he launches himself across the line.

No Saints side has scored more points against a Harlequins team than this side tonight.

There is no let up for Quins.

Saints are not as ruthless this half but it doesn't mean they are giving Quins much breathing room. We are back into the Quins red zone, after some great play from Mitchell.

Mitchell is there to get the ball out to Finn Smith who gets them within touching distance, but its Coles who seals the try.

Smith gets the extras as Saints hit the 40 mark.

Quins have a moment to breath as Hendy fumbles the ball and loses possession. They hold possession from the scrum as Isgro is given the ball to make some ground.

Finally out of their half, Isgro is dragged back by the Saints, as Cunningham South is tackled and loses possession.

Saints scrum.

Pollock is in the crowd for tonight's fixture. Wearing a Sale Sharks hat?

"Something we don't know?" says Healey....