Harlequins score nine tries to beat Vannes 57-19 in Challenge Cup opener

Harlequins beat Vannes 57-19 in their European Challenge Cup opener on Sunday, scoring nine tries for a bonus point. BBC Sport reported that Marcus Smith contributed 22 points with two tries and six conversions. Cadan Murley and Will Evans also scored twice.

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Murley and Smith scored before Wayan De Benedittis replied. Will Hobson added another home try, but Smith was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on. Enzo Benmegal crossed twice during his absence, either side of Murley's second try. Quins reached half-time 26-14 ahead.

Four of Harlequins' next five tries came from forwards: Sam Riley, Evans twice and replacement hooker Jimmy Staples. Smith combined with Luke Northmore to complete his double as Quins stretched their advantage to 38 points.

The match came after changes to the squad for the start of European competition. In its team announcement, Harlequins had named Rodrigo Isgro to return on the right wing, with George Furbank at fullback and Murley on the left. Northmore and Bryn Bradley retained their midfield partnership, while Smith was paired with Lucas Friday. The club also named Evans among its replacements and selected a six-forward, two-back bench. The advance selection also included Guido Petti Pagadizabal in the back row, alongside Seb Driscoll and Lucas Schmid.

Harlequins' published competition guide describes an 18-club Challenge Cup involving teams from eight nations, divided into three pools with four pool-stage rounds. This opening fixture at the Twickenham Stoop begins a European campaign that resumes for Quins away to Ospreys: EPCR's fixture list schedules that second-round meeting for 12 December at St Helen's. The gap separates Sunday's first step in the competition from their next pool assignment in Wales. In its fixture announcement, Harlequins explained that the competition's opening round had moved to October from its usual early-December slot. Sunday's game therefore brought European pool rugby to The Stoop earlier in the autumn under the restructured calendar.

BBC Sport reported that Harlequins entered the match bottom of the Premiership after three defeats. They next host Saracens as they seek their first league win.