Harlequins head coach Ross Chisholm believes his side’s mental strength was key in their 52-42 victory over Loughborough Lightning in their Premiership Women’s Rugby opener.
The Quarters went 14-0 down in the first half, only to battle back to secure a hard-fought win in Friday’s epic encounter.
And West Sussex native Chisholm, who’s brother James currently plays for the men’s side, feels the Quins’ grit and composure under pressure was important in sealing the result.
He said: “It’s something we’ve worked really hard on as a group.
“We saw it last season, we really built on it.
“We’re really composed in those moments, we’re clear with our plan and how we want to execute that plan.”
First half tries from Bo Westcombe-Evans, Lucy Calladine, Alicia Maude and Sadiya Kabeya gave Loughborough a 28-26 lead at half time.
But Nicole Whyte, Clàudia Peña, Jade Konkel and substitute Hannah Sims struck in the second period to ensure Quins ultimately ran out comfortable winners.
Abbie Fleming, Beth Wilcock and Lauren Torley also scored for the Londoners in a match that will surely go down as an all-time classic.
Ex-Quins fullback Chisholm also highlighted the signings of Layla Sae, Liana Mikaele Tu’u and Manuqalo Komaitai as being key to achieving their ambitions this season.
New Zealand’s Sae and Mikaele Tu’u join as injury replacements until March 2026.
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Komaitai, who is a member of the Irish Guards, also plays for the British Army team and has previously represented rugby league’s York Valkyrie.
All three played in the World Cup, making five, six, and three appearances respectively.
Komaiti scored a try against Scotland in the tournament, whilst Mikaele Tu’u put in a player of the match display in the Black Ferns opening match against Spain.
Chisholm added: “We’re delighted to have three internationals come into our environment.
“They’ll add something different, it’s really exciting.
“We can draw on their experience and we’re really looking forward to getting them bedded in at Harlequins.”
Peña was similarly enthusiastic about the new arrivals, emphasising that their experience and knowhow can help improve the environment within the squad.
Quins next face Saracens at the StoneX Stadium on November 2 (3pm), hoping to avenge the 43-33 loss they suffered in the PWR Cup final earlier this month.
Feature image: James Bools
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