Newcastle 14-38 Harlequins: Marcus Smith helps visitors overcome Falcons and end winless Gallagher Premiership Rugby run

Harlequins made a winning start to 2025 with a 31-14 bonus-point victory over Gallagher Premiership bottom side Newcastle Falcons.

James Chisholm, Marcus Smith, Jack Walker, Oscar Beard and Sam Riley all crossed in a commanding win for Danny Wilson’s side at Kingston Park.

The visitors quickly established their authority on proceedings, and struck first from a lineout with Chisholm bulldozing his way to the line.

With replacement Irne Herbst sin-binned, Newcastle capitalised on their numerical advantage as Adam Radwan levelled, but Smith restored Harlequins’ lead before the break.

The hosts reduced their arrears to just three points with 13 minutes remaining, with Ben Redshaw chasing Ben Stevenson’s clever punt and touching down.

However, it proved a false down for Newcastle as the visitors crossed three times in the final eight minutes – through Walker, Beard and Riley to add gloss to the scoreline.

Harlequins had failed to win any of their three previous Gallagher Premiership ahead of their long trip to Kingston Park.

However, Quins will have been boosted by the fact they had won each of their previous eight encounters with Newcastle.

The visitors looked confident early on, though they became a little sloppy after losing Herbst to the bin.

But despite seeing their lead cut to three points heading into the final 10 minutes, Harlequins maintained their composure and eventually ran away with the contest in the dying stages.

The visitors’ number eight got his side on the scoreboard, demonstrating great strength to power through a couple of challenges and touch down.

He constantly drove Quins’ surges from the back of the pack, helping his side eventually land the bonus point.

Newcastle Falcons: Ben Redshaw 7, Adam Radwan 7, Alex Hearle 7, Connor Doherty 6, Ben Stevenson 7, Brett Connon 7, Sam Stuart 6; Murray McCallum 6, Jamie Blamire 6, Richard Palframan 6, Sebastian De Chaves 6, Kiran McDonald 6, Freddie Lockwood 6, Tom Gordon 6, Callum Chick 6. Replacements: Ollie Fletcher 6, Micky Rewcastle 6, Callum Hancock 6, John Hawkins 6, Philip van der Walt 6, Max Pepper 6, Louis Brown 6, Oli Spencer 6.

Harlequins: Nick David 7, Rodrigo Isgro 6, Oscar Beard 7, Luke Northmore 6, Cadan Murley 7, Marcus Smith 8, Will Porter 7; Fin Baxter 7, Jack Walker 8, Titi Lamositele 7, Joe Launchbury 7, Dino Lamb 6, Jack Kenningham 6, Will Evans 8, James Chisholm 9*. Replacements: Sam Riley 7, Wyn Jones 6, Dillon Lewis 6, Irne Herbst 6, Alex Dombrandt 6, Lucas Friday 6, Jarrod Evans 6, Ben Waghorn 6.

11′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 0-7 HARLEQUINS (CHISHOLM): The visitors have the breakthrough! Quins work the lineout brilliantly from inside Newcastle’s 22, with Chisholm eventually bulldozing his way through challenges and under the posts. Smith makes no mistake converting five points into seven.

34′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 7-7 HARLEQUINS (RADWAN): The Falcons get themselves on the scoreboard! Quins have been sloppy since they were reduced to 14 men, and the hosts finally take advantage with Radwan alone on the right wing to touch down. Connon converts to level the score.

37′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 7-14 HARLEQUINS (SMITH): The visitors back in front! Back to full-strength with Herbst returning to the action, Harlequins quickly make the most of it. A superb lay-off from Will Evans finds the unmarked Smith, who darts under the posts before converting.

67′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 14-17 HARLEQUINS (REDSHAW): Hope for the hosts! A clever punt out to the right and subsequently kicked on by Stevenson. The ball ricochets off the flag and bounces kindly for the onrushing Redshaw, who touches down. Connon converts and it is a three-point game.

72′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 14-24 HARLEQUINS (WALKER): The visitors give themselves breathing space again! They push from the lineout once more, and Walker eventually manages to scramble over. Smith subsequently remains impeccable from the tee.

77′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 14-31 HARLEQUINS (BEARD): The bonus point is secured for the visitors! They have a man over in Murley, who is spotted by Smith with a clever punt. The skipper then neatly offloads for Beard to power over the line. Smith makes no mistake again, and the victory should be in the bag now.

80+2′ TRY!!! NEWCASTLE FALCONS 14-38 HARLEQUINS (RILEY): The visitors finish with a flourish, as a series of neat offloads leads to Riley crossing. Smith does not miss, converting five points into seven, before the final whistle sounds.

Harlequins have now won each of their last nine meetings with Newcastle Falcons.