In a weekend full of surprises in the Premiership, it wasn’t Marcus Smith or Jarrod Evans who made the headlines, but instead, 22-year-old Jamie Benson. Benson, who made his Premiership debut only a few months ago in November, stepped up when his side, Harlequins, needed him most in a tense battle with Saracens. Coming on at half-time for Evans, Benson proved to be the difference-maker in a 12-23 win for Harlequins, their first away victory over Saracens in 13 years.
Benson’s introduction in the second half saw him play a pivotal role in Harlequins’ remarkable turnaround. The score when he entered the field was 12-0 in favor of Saracens. But by the final whistle, the London side had completed a thrilling comeback, with Benson kicking three long-range penalties in the last 10 minutes to edge his side ahead. Not only did he deliver from the tee, but Benson also converted both of Harlequins’ tries, the second of which came in the dying seconds of the match.
Saracens, despite an early lead and a stunning pass from Alex Goode to set up Tobias Elliott’s try just before halftime, failed to maintain their advantage in the second half. While Saracens were not poor, they certainly didn’t look their best, and as the match wore on, Harlequins grew in confidence and intensity. Without the presence of their England internationals, Harlequins fought back in a slow-burning second half that ultimately turned into a fully ignited fire, as Benson’s boot and leadership propelled them to victory.
The first points of the comeback came an hour into the game, when Oscar Beard, fresh off an impressive performance, put in a lovely assist for Ben Waghorn to score. This sparked the momentum for Harlequins, and the rest was down to Benson’s clutch kicking. His second penalty saw Harlequins edge ahead, and with less than 10 minutes left, Saracens were left trying to respond, but Harlequins were already in the driver’s seat. A late try from Will Porter sealed the deal, and the win was confirmed.
For Saracens, there are certainly questions to be asked. Their first-half performance wasn’t entirely disastrous, but their second-half collapse spoke volumes about the difficulty they are having keeping up with the ever-growing competition in the Premiership. Saracens were not able to build on their early lead, and the lack of impact from their more senior players during the crucial stages of the match raised some concerns about their future dominance in the league.
As for Benson, his rise to prominence couldn’t have come at a better time for Harlequins. His performance in this game will undoubtedly turn heads, especially as the debate surrounding England’s fly-half position continues to heat up. With Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell continuing to occupy key roles at international level, could Benson’s showing be a sign of things to come? While it may be too early to predict, his performance against Saracens certainly showcased a talent ready to make an impact.
Meanwhile, the debate around Jarrod Evans, the Wales fly-half, also raises some intriguing questions. With a new generation of talent emerging, including Benson, the spotlight on established players like Evans continues to fade slightly as younger players step up.
This win for Harlequins signals a new wave of talent in the Premiership, with Benson at the forefront. His poise, accuracy, and calm under pressure could see him feature more prominently in Harlequins’ future games, and perhaps even push for higher honors. For now, though, the young fly-half can relish in the moment, as he helped secure a historic victory for his team and proved that sometimes, the next big talent is right under our noses.
