LONDON, March 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Harlequins overcame the absence of several England internationals to beat Saracens 23-12 in the English Premiership with a dramatic late rally at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Marcus Smith, Chandler Cunningham-South and Fin Baxter were all rested following the end of the Six Nations last weekend, when England finished runners-up to France, while Cadan Murley and veteran scrum-half Danny Care missed this London derby match injured.

By contrast Saracens fielded their full England contingent, with the exception of injured back row Ben Earl.

Quins were 12-0 behind heading into the final quarter but hit back through centre Ben Waghorn's try before three penalties from replacement fly-half Jamie Benson edged them ahead.

With a minute left, Will Porter put the result beyond doubt as Harlequins secured a win that boosted their hopes of a top-four finish and a place in the title-deciding play-offs.

"I'm really proud of this group considering a few people would have had something to say about not selecting our three internationals and giving them the week off," said Harlequins coach Danny Wilson.

"Last season we put too much pressure on our internationals to return. Think about what the Six Nations is for an international rugby player -- physically, mentally and the big one we all forget is emotionally.

"They are huge games of rugby win or lose. I am lucky enough to have had an experience coaching international rugby (as forwards boss of Scotland) and I came out of those tournaments ready for a rest."

It took Saracens just five minutes to open the scoring when England hooker Jamie George's quick free-kick paved the way for a strong run from Theo McFarland, who dived over for a try.

Six-time Premiership champions Saracens extended their lead when a superb pass out of the tackle from Alex Goode was held by Fergus Burke, with Tobias Elliot finishing in the corner.

Saracens' Andy Onyeama-Christie came on for his first appearance since October having recovered from ankle surgery. The Scotland flanker had to slot in at inside centre after Nick Tompkins went off an head-injury assessment.

It was not until the hour that Harlequins had their opening score when Waghorn finished after a break by Oscar Beard.

Benton's three penalties nudged Quins in front before Porter sealed victory.

In Saturday's other Premiership match, Bristol maintained the pressure on leaders Bath with a 52-38 home win over struggling Exeter in a high-scoring west country derby.

The match featured 14 tries in total, with the 64 points scored before the break making it the highest scoring first-half in Premiership history.

Bristol scored eight tries in total, with wing Jack Bates grabbing a hat-trick and centre James Williams twice crossing Exeter's line.

The hosts enjoyed a thumping win that left Bristol just a point behind Bath despite losing Santiago Grondona in the 30th minute when the Argentina flanker was sent off for a head-on-head tackle on opposing back-row Martin Moloney.

Bath face southwest rivals Gloucester on Sunday.