On a frigid January evening at Franklin’s Gardens, the Northampton Saints put on a sizzling display that left the Harlequins reeling and the Premiership table with a new leader. Saints’ 66-21 demolition of Harlequins on January 3, 2026, was not just a win—it was a statement. The ten-try blitz, featuring a hat-trick from the dynamic lock Alex Coles, secured Northampton a bonus-point victory and propelled them back to the Premiership summit, much to the delight of the 15,153 fans braving the cold.
The Saints’ red-hot form is undeniable. This was their second bonus-point win in just eight days, following a breathtaking triumph at Bath. With only one defeat in their last nine league outings, Northampton are looking every bit the contenders, and their try-scoring exploits are turning heads across Europe. But amid the euphoria, a chilling moment just before half-time cast a shadow: captain and England centre Fraser Dingwall was stretchered off in a neck brace after a collision with Kieran Treadwell. The sight hushed the crowd, but the outlook has since brightened. "Fraser is up and about," confirmed director of rugby Phil Dowson. "A bit shaken up. He was unconscious for a bit. The medics were around him fast. No timeline yet, it’s just about making sure he is ok and looking after him tonight."
Harlequins, meanwhile, find themselves in a downward spiral. For the third consecutive Premiership round, they conceded more than 40 points—a stat that speaks volumes about their defensive woes. Coach Jason Gilmore didn’t sugarcoat the situation: "There is no magic formula. The boys are down a bit. If you keep copping those defeats, it is not going to be sustainable. We have to get back to the Stoop and the Stormers and put in a performance our supporters are proud of." The defeat marked Harlequins’ fourth straight league loss, and with just two wins from eight games, the pressure is mounting.
Yet, the match started with a flash of promise for the visitors. It took less than two minutes for Cassius Cleaves to slice through the Saints’ defense and score, with Marcus Smith adding the conversion for an early 7-0 lead. Was this a sign of a Harlequins resurgence? Not quite. Northampton’s response was swift and unrelenting. Danilo Fischetti, the Italian loosehead prop, powered over for the Saints’ first try, and Fin Smith’s conversion leveled the scores. From there, the Saints took over, scoring five tries before halftime and leaving Harlequins scrambling for answers.
Alex Coles, usually known for his set-piece prowess, showcased rare finishing ability by bagging a hat-trick. His first came after a slick passage involving George Hendy and Fin Smith. Fischetti added a second try, barreling over the line after a deft offload from Alex Mitchell. Mitchell himself then got on the scoreboard, capping a move initiated by Fischetti’s surging run. Alex Dombrandt, back in the Quins starting lineup, offered a brief response with a well-worked try from a line-out peel, but the Saints simply shifted gears again. Tommy Freeman, the Premiership’s top try-scorer this season, finished off another sweeping move after a moment of chaos at the ruck saw Mitchell break free and set him up. By halftime, the writing was on the wall for Harlequins.
After Dingwall’s injury, Northampton’s attacking intent never wavered. Coles added his second from close range, and George Hendy’s break sent Edoardo Todaro racing away for his first. The Saints’ creativity reached new heights when Fin Smith finished a move straight from the training ground, hacking on a header from JJ van der Mescht to score. Todaro’s second try—a solo burst of power and flair—put the cherry on top of a comprehensive team performance. Even a late second try from Dombrandt did little to soften the blow for Harlequins.
The scoring sequence read like a testament to Saints’ dominance: Cleaves’ early try, then Fischetti, Coles, Mitchell, Fischetti again, Dombrandt, Freeman, Coles, Todaro, Fin Smith, Todaro again, Dombrandt, and finally Coles with his third. Fin Smith’s accuracy from the tee kept the scoreboard ticking, and by the final whistle, the Saints had racked up 66 points—no team has crossed the whitewash more often in the Premiership this season.
Phil Dowson, clearly buoyed by his side’s performance, acknowledged the road ahead: "A huge challenge against one of the best in Europe," he said, referring to next week’s trip to Bordeaux for a Champions Cup final rematch. With Fin Smith orchestrating play and outshining his namesake Marcus Smith at fly-half, confidence is soaring. "We are happy with where we are," Dowson added, and it’s hard to argue. These Saints are marching on, their attacking rugby drawing comparisons with European heavyweights like Toulouse.
For Harlequins, the problems run deep. Defensive frailties are undermining any attacking promise, and the team’s body language suggests a side struggling for belief. Gilmore’s frank admission—"It is not just going to turn around overnight"—underscores the challenge ahead. The Quins faithful will be hoping for a turnaround when the team returns to The Stoop and faces the Stormers, but the road to redemption looks long and uncertain.
The match wasn’t without its lighter moments. At one point, Mitchell lost his bearings at a ruck, spun a full 360 degrees, and then darted through a gaping hole in the Quins defense—leaving fans and commentators alike shaking their heads in disbelief and amusement. The Saints’ attacking variety, from brute strength to inventive set-plays, kept the crowd entertained despite the biting cold.
As the final whistle blew, the Saints supporters filed out into the night, frozen in body but warmed by the glow of another emphatic win. The team’s spirit, much like their current form, is at boiling point. With Bordeaux looming and the Premiership title race heating up, Northampton have announced themselves as genuine contenders—fearless, relentless, and, right now, simply irresistible.
As for Harlequins, the hard questions must be asked. Can they regroup and rediscover their spark, or will this season’s slide continue? Only time will tell, but for now, all eyes are on the Saints as they march confidently into their next European challenge.