April 24: Third title for England
England’s 10-6 victory over France gives the Red Roses a hat-trick of Women’s Six Nations titles. It was an average performance, which is the sign of a heck of a team that can win below par, backed up by winning in France a week later.
May 9: Quins beat Wasps 48-46
Loose, fast, red cards – this one is a defensive coach’s nightmare. In amongst it all, Marcus Smith has one of those days that will soon become normal for him. A 28-point personal haul featuring two tries, eight out of eight kicks, assists, cross kicks, solo efforts. Brilliant. Sadly, though, Mike Brown’s legendary Quins career comes to a sudden end with a six-week ban for a stamp. Mike has been immense for Quins and will crush it for Falcons.
May 30: Shaunagh the superstar
Harlequins Women beat Saracens Women 25-17. Shaunagh Brown is immense as Quins win the final, weathering a spell where they only have 13 women on pitch as Amy Cokayne and Abbie Ward see yellow. The first act in Quins incredible double win.
June 13/20: “Have you missed us?”
Saracens win by over 100 points in their two-legged Championship play-off. It is a punchy argument to dispense with relegation, beating a very good side Ealing Trailfinders 117-15 on aggregate. We all love social media, but Saracens press a few buttons by immediately asking on Twitter: “Have you missed us?”
June 19: The greatest club game yet
Bristol v Quins in Premiership semi-finals. Bristol, at home, surge into a 28-0 lead. Injuries, crucially to Charles Piutau and Steve Luatua, start to hurt them. Quins score just before half time to make it 28-5 and win the second half 26-3 to level the match at 31-31. It goes to extra time, and Quins win that 12-5 to close it out 36-43. Madness, but epic. A week later they beat Exeter 40-38 and are champions.
