With Saints storming to victory at home last Sunday to Exeter, they looked set to be the stronger team heading into last night's match. All eyes were on Rodshaw and Wood battling it out to prove their worth for captaincy for the Autumn Internationals. Torrential rain took precedence and tested both sides with an 80 minute downpour.
Rub-a-dub-dub 30 men in a tub
Quins looked to dominate the first half with fast off-loads and their attempt to play fast paced running rugby would have paid dividends in dry conditions but became their down fall, with numerous knock-ons, and loose ball leaving both sides scrambling. Myler put Saints ahead 3-0, ten minutes in with a penalty. Evans missed two penalties but finally managed to kick one back thirty minutes in, leaving the score 3-3 at half time. It was still too close to call.
Game play didn't change in the second half. Slipping, sliding and wrestling for possession became the norm. Saints worked hard, especially the forwards pack with a great defence, driving the mauls, making the hits, creating the gaps and playing the ball wide with James Wilson breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute and scoring the only try of the game. Quins were left with a heart breaking 13-6 defeat. With only two out of six penalties being converted by Nick Evans and Nick Easter being sin-binned in the 75th minute for having his hands in the ruck, there was a deterioration of play by Quins.
Even with Myler binned in the 77th minute, Saints delivered. It was messy in what were horrendous conditions, but a win's a win. Lancaster would have been hard pushed to judge Wood or Rodshaw based on last night's performance but with the decision looming closer, who will lead England in the Autumn Internationals?
My money's on Wood.