O’Shea: Errors cost Quins in Wembley loss

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea was left to rue a sloppy first half display in their 39-17 defeat to Saracens at Wembley.

In front of 83,889 fans – a world record crowd for a club match – Saracens took advantage of two intercept tries to establish a 27-10 half-time lead.

Karl Dickson had crossed for Quins before the break while Sam Smith touched down in the second half to give them hope but Sarries powered on to a victory that takes them top of the Premiership.

O’Shea’s side drop to sixth and, while the Irishman remains confident of making the play-offs, he admitted they shot themselves in the foot with their handling errors at Wembley.

He said: “You can’t come to a place like this against Saracens and give 14 points away in intercept tries in the first half. You’re chasing the game against a side that’s tough to chase.

“Of course, we’re massively disappointed. We understand we’ll be written off – let people write us off.

“There’s a few battered guys in there but we’ll keep fighting to the bitter end, starting with London Irish next week at home.

“Our ambition is to be in the top four, we have to start by winning the game next week.”

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