Harlequins 28 Bristol Bears 53

It was no sort of farewell to Quins’ stalwarts André Esterhuizen, Will Collier and live-wire Louis Lynagh as we were routed by Bristol though neither side qualified for the play-offs.

A more significant departure may be that of defensive coach Jerry Flannery to the Springboks as Quins have conceded 111 points in their last two games.

Luke Northmore and Oskar Beard or Will Joseph will now be the centres and presumably the squad will be strengthened.

The back row of Evans, Dombrandt and Cunningham-South looks fit for purpose and Fin Baxter will come in as prop but I have doubts about South African locks Imrie Herbst and Stephen Lewies.

In the first half Bristol lost three key players, including Ellis Genge, which may have explained the relative parity.

However there was no “Bristanbul” – a reference to the epic Quins recovery from 0-28 in the 2020/2021 Premiership semi-final and in the second half Bristol coasted away though they still did not qualify for the play-offs.

You never really know which Quins will turn up which is part of their attraction.

We are financially solid with a productive Academy so I cannot see us struggling on or off the pitch but we are short of being Top Four aspirants.