Harlequins 22 Exeter Chiefs 6

Given the spectacular Twickenham stage to showcase their talents, Exeter Chiefs suffered a terrible bout of stage fright as rivals Harlequins stole the headlines in BIg Game 6.

Forget all the pre-match hype of X-Factor stars Sam Bailey and Luke Friend producing the perfect on-field performance, instead it was Conor O’Shea’s men who dazzled the masses at English Rugby HQ First half tries from Nick Evans, Charlie Walker, Mike Brown did the main damage and ensured the home side of not only their seventh Aviva Premiership victory of the season, but that they would head into the New Year amongst the division’s top four.

Evans kicked the remainder of their points with two conversions and a penalty; whilst Exeter’s response was a penalty in each half from Gareth Steenson. It was, in truth, a disappointing day at the office for Rob Baxter’s men, but the Chiefs leader will know it’s another experience ticked off in the grand scheme of things as the Devonians look to push forward.

Having returned to winning ways against Newcastle Falcons the previous week, Baxter recalled experienced duo Tom Johnson and Jason Shoemark to the Chiefs starting line-up with Kai Horstmann and Sam Hill the men to make way.

Harlequins also made changes to their side from that which had lost at Bath last time out. Into the fold came Tom Casson, Will Collier and Danny Care, the latter of whom was one of six home players featuring in their sixth Big Game experience at the home of English rugby.

Harlequins: M Brown; C Walker, M Hopper, T Casson (B Botica 79), S Smith (O Lindsay-Hague 74); N Evans, D Care (K Dickson 56); J Marler (M Lambert 65), D Ward, W Collier (P Doran Jones 65); C Matthews (N Kennedy 61), G Robson; L Wallace (T Guest 74), C Robshaw (capt), N Easter. Replacements (not used): M Crumpton.
Tries – Evans, Walker, Brown; Conversions – Evans (2); Penalty – Evans

Chiefs: L Arscott; J Nowell, I Whitten, J Shoemark, T James (F Vainikolo 54); G Steenson (H Slade 61), H Thomas (W Chudley 33); B Moon (B Sturgess 61), J Yeandle (C Whitehead 52), H Tui (A Brown 61); D Mumm (capt), D Welch (J Hanks 54); T Johnson, B White, D Ewers (K Horstmann 74).

Penalties - Steenson (2)

Yellow Card: Nowell

Referee: J-P Doyle

Attendance: 70,000

UP NEXT FOR THE CHIEFS: v London Wasps (A), Aviva Premiership, Sunday, January 5 (3pm)

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