I don't know Buchanan's contract status but I just have a feeling he's off this summer. Baldwin + Crumpton + Buchanan with Elia bringing up the rear just feels like too many good players competing. Crumpton is the man in possession, Baldwin the international who is no doubt expected to force himself into the starting XV, Elia seen as having huge potential and then we have the young chap in the academy. Where's Rob going to get a look in? Sadly, think he's just going to look to have a decent swansong for us and wouldn't be surprised to see him head elsewhere. I hope I'm wrong because I always liked seeing his name in the matchday squad and he'd give us real depth. All contingent on him getting back to 100% match fitness and the kind of performance levels he was at pre-injury of course...

I hope you're right!

Visser failed a late fitness test

Yeah he hasn’t fitted in for two years.

Hadn't even thought of this but he did post on Instagram over the weekend suggesting he was in Hong Kong for the 7s. Anyone know if he's maybe thinking of shifting his focus to 7s now? Would make a lot of sense for him - he'd carve the circuit up.

Max Coyle and Charlie W are off to the 10's and 7's respectively this past weekend, in Hong Kong...

Yes, he has played a couple of tournaments for the 7s

I can't see it mentioned anywhere else, so match report below. We lost pretty heavily, but I think qualification for the semis was already impossible, or if not, highly unlikely.


Quins defeated by experienced Exeter side at Sandy Park, 47 Points to 12

First half tries from Lock Hugh Tizard and Guest Player Zachary Clow were not enough to combat Exeter’s power up front and out wide, as the visitors conceded seven tries away from home in the Premiership Shield.

Despite the loss, the match provided valuable experience for the side’s host of guest players and burgeoning academy talent.

In addition, returning Quin Rob Buchanan made his first start in the quarters since September 2017 and put in a strong 50-minute performance in the loose and at set piece.

The Braves opened the scoring on the seventh minute with Captain James Freeman driving over from less than a metre out. With the conversion added by fly-half Harvey Skinner, Exeter had an early 7-0 lead.

The hosts followed this up with a second score three minutes later thanks to experienced fullback Phil Dollman. With Skinner again adding the extras, Exeter lead by 14 points to 0.

Quins were starting to get into the game, however, and after an inspirational run from flanker Semi Kunatani, the away side won a penalty, kicked to the corner and formed a powerful driving maul, allowing for second row Tizard to cross the line. Despite the missed kick, Quins were back in the game with the score at 14 – 5.

Exeter responded immediately with another try of their own on 23 minutes, again through Dollman. With the extras added by Skinner, the score stood at 21-5.

Quins weren’t going down without a fight and on 39 minutes, Guest Player Zachary Clow ran in his side’s second try. With the extras added by Stanley, the away team went in at the break only nine points down.

After the interval, Exeter scored through winger Tom O’Flaherty on the 43-minute mark to further extend their lead. Even with the conversion missed by Skinner, the Braves led 26-12.

On the 58-minute mark, fly-half Skinner ran in a score of his own, which he later converted to make the score 33-12 to the hosts.

On 62 minutes, replacement Harry Strong crossed the whitewash with Skinner again adding the extras before James Short dotted down for the final converted score of the match in the 80th minute.

Harlequins are next in action in the Premiership Shield against Saracens Storm at The Stoop next week

Interesting he's referred to as one of "three England Sevens Academy players" - so on some kind of England 7s pathway it would seem...