Harlequins Overwhelm Bayonne 68-14 in Champions Cup Pool 3 Clash
On 14 December 2025, Harlequins secured a resounding 68-14 victory over Bayonne in the Champions Cup Pool 3 match held at the Twickenham Stoop. Harlequins dominated the game by scoring 10 tries, with Marcus Smith contributing significantly by kicking nine conversions and earning the player of the match accolade.
Kieran Treadwell notably scored two tries, marking his first for Harlequins since returning from Ulster. Bayonne, fielding an inexperienced side due to injuries and resting of key players, gave 20-year-old Jonah Thompson his professional debut playing as a flank and wing.
The French side also faced disciplinary issues, with two players sin-binned in the second half: Iandolino at 56 minutes and Heguy at 64 minutes, temporarily reducing Bayonne to 13 men. Bayonne’s only tries were scored by Paulos and Spring, but the rest of the points heavily favored Harlequins.
The match was officiated by referee Andrew Brace. The game highlighted broader concerns regarding the current Champions Cup format, which some believe encourages clubs to select weakened teams, potentially short-changing fans.
