Quins secure emphatic Challenge Cup win over Vannes

Harlequins put aside their difficulties in the early weeks of the new Premiership season to start their 2026-27 Challenge Cup campaign with a welcome bonus-point win over French club Vannes. Quins entered the fixture sitting at the bottom of the English domestic table after losing all three of their opening matches, but they proved far too strong for their visitors, clocking up an impressive nine tries in a 57-19 rout.

England back Marcus Smith contributed 22 points courtesy of two tries and six conversions, while captain Cadan Murley and Will Evans also grabbed two tries each. Further efforts from Will Hobson, Sam Riley, and Jimmy Staples rounded off a dominant performance. Vannes, who are enduring their own struggles at the bottom of the Top 14 with four losses from four games, managed three tries of their own through Wayan De Benedittis and a brace from winger Enzo Benmegal.

It marked Harlequins' first match at this stage of the European competition since 2018. The English outfit has historically tasted success in the Challenge Cup, winning it on a record-equalling three occasions, though not since 2011. Rather than facing a traditional European heavyweight, they welcomed a morale-boosting encounter against a side that earned promotion by winning France's second tier, Pro D2, last season.

The match began with Murley and Smith scoring early tries before De Benedittis crossed the whitewash to get the visitors on the scoreboard. Hobson powered over next, but a deliberate knock-on from Quins fly-half Smith resulted in a yellow card. Playing with a man advantage, Vannes capitalized as Benmegal grabbed two tries, the second featuring a spectacular acrobatic finish.

However, in between those scores, Murley had already claimed his second try of the afternoon. Once numerical parity was restored, the English side completely dominated the remainder of the contest, with their forwards dictating the tempo and physical battle.

Four of the next five tries came directly from the pack, as Riley, a double from Evans, and replacement hooker Staples underlined Harlequins' physical dominance. Smith added his second try of the match by exchanging sharp passes with Luke Northmore, securing a brace for the second consecutive week following his return to action against Sale Sharks.

Harlequins will now look to channel the confidence and momentum gained from this European victory into their upcoming Premiership derby at home against Saracens next Sunday. Securing a first league win remains the primary objective, but this performance offers a blueprint for how their attacking and forward power can overwhelm opponents when firing on all cylinders.