So how did Harlequins win the Premiership? | A Squidge Rugby Deep Dive

This June, the impossible happened. Just months after firing their coach, the Premiership's great entertainers turned over everyone to win the league, all whilst retaining their delicious, fast-paced style of play. So how did Danny Care and his mad bag of frogs win maybe the toughest league on the planet, and what can everyone else learn from the 2021 Harlequins team?
If you've enjoyed any of the channel's content, you can also support Squidge Rugby on Patreon by visiting / squidgerugby , so I can build a little cave for me and the other four people who still think George Ford is the best 10 in England to go and live in in peace.

[@rufusjones3488]

Marcus Smith, a player you can't watch without thinking "Who let this small boy try cocaine?" Brilliant

[@milochapman8050]

Potential to be the next superstar

[@sirknem]

Literal tears leaking from the sides of my eyes after he said that! I became that cry-laughing emoji irl

[@jw3505]

Outstanding work Squidge! I can’t think of a better description for him. Hopefully Eddie will let him loose in the white (shirt).

[@thepirateofjamaica]

Reece Walsh took this comment a bit too literally

[@SunnyIntervalsORG]

I'm dead! That was hilarious! 🤣

[@Memoquin]

Just to clarify, Quins didn’t go through the dictionary and stopped at ‘H’. They only looked through ‘H’ All their kit as Hampstead had ‘H.F.C’ on it, but when they split away they needed any word with the same letter so they could keep using the same kit, stationary etc.

[@robertsmithson4802]

Wasps didn't want to be Quins' Bee team. Before typing this comment I was standing up and applauding.

[@bunniesforlife719]

oi yo mothers estate is s u b p a r

[@henryburton6529]

i liked "who gave that child cocaine" joke as well

[@catrionagordon9563]

This was a witty and engaging video outlining all the toxic masculinity, rape, domestic violence and misogyny that is inherent and endemic to mens rugby HOWEVER I feel Squidge let himself down by showing a clear display of male chest beating at the very end of the video. I am sure that he did so to underline just how problematic men playing rugby in groups actually is however... I fear that, for the uninitiated, his message might be misconstrued.

[@rorybessell8280]

@@catrionagordon9563 Wtf are you on about? We shouldn't let men play rugby together? Pull your fucking head in

[@chadthecat7248]

@@rorybessell8280 need to listen to what Squidge is saying in this video. He is saying that straight men need other groups (like women) to lead them because straight men can't be trusted. I don't agree with it BUT that's what Squidge is saying here.

[@brothergrimaldus3836]

I started looking for rugby game after the NFL season ended. I don't have satellite or cable. I come across the semifinal and final games on KZbin. And now I am a dyed-in-the-wool Quins fan. The fans are a great bunch of people. They've been great at answering my questions and are just very welcoming.

[@samuelprescott7426]

The Quinn's approach to injury prevention is the future of contact sport, jeez, even professional sport in general. It needs to be adopted everywhere!

[@danieljames3163]

Lets goooooo! Squidge has returned

[@mikelewis2918]

Your comment about the smiles during the match being as big as the smiles after a win is testament about how you view and analyze rugby. So enjoyable.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

So you're saying I can make my kid's primary school touch rugby team into a winning unit with cocaine and Battenberg?

[@bonkerconker1017]

20mins watching squidge isn’t a real 20mins. Glad the kings back!

[@kelescarlet2585]

its the return of the king alright missed this

[@willpageauthor]

Squidge - I know this one took time but you raised the bar once again. Best yet. So many timeless nuggets of knowledge shared during the episode, my favourite being “It’s Danny Care who’s job it is to manage the game. Marcus Smith - his job is to manage the SPACE”. You could watch rugby for decades and fail to spot a simple division of labour point like this. To stress this one was your best yet!

[@Imgront]

the analysis at around 16:00 is blowing my mind. As a new rugby fan, i never thought about the massive chess match going on here and the tiniest manipulations slowly causing openings in space on the opposite side of the field. Thank you for showing me that rugby is more than just offloading to the available man and also, the real power of kicking downfield.

[@stuartronald9785]

Fairly new to rugby myself. Casual on looker to all out fan... I agree. Squidge is my homework.

[@jukeseyable]

Watching squidge, ull have to get used to it

[@bloop2880]

SAMEE i've been a fan for about 2 years but only recently started looking more into the details (and wanting to learn the rules) and this video was mind boggling but also extremely informative. i honestly never knew that there could be so much coordination and decision making in the short- and long-term. i feel very humbled by what i assumed about rugby lol

[@berjtekerian702]

Genuinely moved to tears by the end! To hear my club described in that way has filled my heart with joy! Amazing analysis! Thank you Squidge!

[@willpeters8640]

I've been waiting for this for a while and I can't tell you how excellent it is. I was so impressed at the detail and knowledge you picked up on that I, despite watching literally every minute of Quins last season, didn't see. Thanks Squidge, loved it!

[@sammcgarrigle7754]

Hope you're feeling well squidge

[@deeps2169]

It was a great year to be a Quins fan but among all the amazing tries and crazy wins one moment stood out - when the BT Sport cameras showed Exeter’s bench mockingly singing after taking the lead towards the end of the final only for us to come back and win HAHAHA

[@olivermpereira1999]

I took the piss at the time but my mate saying he felt more comfortable being behind when they took the lead and it is something I'm sure all quins fans can relate to with our recent performance

[@williamjfrancefilm]

I was in Twickers for that Marcus Smith long pass to Tim Visser to score that try against Northampton. That was the point I knew he was something special.

[@funnywhitney]

I’ve been checking your account for this video five times a day for the last two months. Now you pulled your lazy little fingerout (winky face) I can watch 18 times day for the next year. Thank you. Love your work

[@johnnyryan656]

I was just watching a squidge vid And then this happens

[@Slipperygecko390]

Brilliant. Evans is my favourite all time Highlander, my old man used to say that guy is the smartest player on the field he will be a great coach one day and he's only gone and done it. Proud that he went to the Harlequins and never left them, not even when offered the black jersey again. It's something you don't see anymore in professional rugby. Thanks for the video mate!

[@johnturner4451]

Brilliant analysis and great fun too. Thanks so much and hope your recovery continues. Another gem is "fury potato Mike Brown" - priceless!

[@doug5853]

Amazing stuff!! Great to see you back.

[@garfieldbraithwaite8590]

That was so well written, glad to see you back. Thank you

[@TheJcc50]

Great video on a great team, every fan loves seeing them play.

[@richardhands5184]

Glorious work, Squidge. You make a real difference. Thank you

[@wayno5655]

Been loving squidgy’s vids for ages - I just found this one to be the best. Awesome and interesting .....and fun! Great stuff and astute observations. Bee team !!

[@mattw2308]

Great to have you back Squidge! Hope you and yours are well.

[@benjvrensburg5062]

Im a happy man now, i can sleep easy tonight knowing Squidge is back.

[@iancallicott8979]

Glad your back Squidge, excellent work

[@charlottescott7150]

Thank you so much Robbie- it was brilliant like the end of Quins' season. I hope that you feel better

[@withy28]

By far one of the most enjoyable pieces of rugby content I’ve watched in ages! Subscribed.

[@adrianhart2062]

Missed this. Thank you for coming back Squidge

[@nicholashockings9584]

Awesome to see new videos on the channel! Would love to see you take on the rugby championship. Lots going on in the Southern Hemisphere with the progression of the Aussies, the fall of the Boks and the dominance of the ABs. Thanks

[@williamjfrancefilm]

This was a season of lows and highs as a Harlequins fan. While our defence was questionable (in the sense we conceded a lot of unanswered points sometimes), I wouldn't have wanted us to win it in any other way.

[@henryburton6529]

I don't believe you but the way Quins won it definitely make it much much better. DC's comment on Rugby Union Weekly "we did it the right way" massive sly dig at Saracens and South Africa. Both more successful than quins but both used underhand strategies and played defensive rugby to do it. Quins did it fairly and did it playing entertaining rugby

[@adrianhall4547]

Glad you're feeling better Squidge. Excellent video as usual.

[@freeminerz]

He's back and he's dealing with the really important things in life! Thanks Squidge!

[@yooyist]

Brilliant analysis mate !

[@dimitardobrev3296]

10:45 that's too cool. I wonder how quickly other clubs will catch on...

[@jgg0207]

Another fantastic video! Thanks Squidge

[@Joellercoaster]

That little Joe Marler behind the back pass in training makes me smile almost as much as it does him.

[@mckengineer5727]

As ever, interesting and provoking analysis. Keep it up.

[@daleisaacs8257]

Brilliant video, so insightful 👏

[@Gay1Guy]

Great to see your videos are back on!

[@Andr3d3w44l]

Looking forward to your analysis on the URC!!!

[@ciaranmylod8361]

Great video as per! Would love to see more analysis on Toulouse 🙏🏼 They’ve been red hot on return to Top14 despite super short preseason. Picking up from where they left off

[@georgegornall6688]

Love it. One of the best examples of Marcus moving before catching is against Wasps last season at the stoop. About the half way line and moves outside of the defender, a few offloads later and he finishes the move off

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Just randomly checked your channel and you'd just uploaded an hour ago. Pretty cool. Love me some squidge

[@andrewlovegrove6442]

Brilliant analysis! Watching Quin’s this year has been such a pleasure, what an advert for the game! By contrast enduring the Lions and the Boks was like having fingernails pulled, I hope international rugby learns from this. Eddie’s England squad sparks some hope that the dull and mundane kicking game will be replaced by a dynamic approach, as you described…though his management style is the antithesis of the Quins’ approach this year; can he really empower the players and give them back the love of the game at international level? I wont hold my breath. Thanks

[@Formakiwi]

Given that his recent coaching recruits include two ex-leagueies and notorious martinet Richard Cockerill, I wouldn't get your hopes up.

[@lewiswilliams5967]

Not sure your part on Quins try when Cuthbert was injured adds up. I think it was utterly horrific game management by Exeter. Several opportunities to kick the ball dead with a decent territory gain. Shocking by the back 3. I'd go mental at 2nds local club level for that.

[@tomprew6536]

It's because Exeter game plan was to keep the ball in play at all times very similar to what South Africa do, Cuthbert injury does add up because he barely can't run, but Exeter back 3 was shocking poisoning was shocking

[@explodingminds]

That was great. Thank you. So informative.

[@LindaNelOlivier]

Thanks! Your videos make me love rugby and appreciate the hard work that the teams put in day after day. Your analysis is amazing. As a SA fan, I have so many mixed feelings about the last couple of months. I hate the ugliness (not the rugby, the off the field stuff), but I share the incredible frustration with WR with their lack of action to actually address the problems. It is so frustrating to see the rules applied in different ways depending on who's officiating.

[@markwallace4223]

Superb analysis of a the most exciting club in the Premiership who's culture shift has helped them win. COYQ!

[@RobinDrinkall]

Brilliant analysis! Very enjoyable to be a Quins fan right now

[@johndeane2485]

Great video, hope you’re better!

[@Personal_Chizo]

Glad you're feeling better, Robbie!

[@haydentoohey1482]

Love this video squidge is just like the first few you made which bought me to the channel!!!

[@reyblais4858]

I am sure I speak for many when I say we are very happy to have you back.

[@charliethompson974]

Genuinely the analysis is brilliant

[@joshuageraldbutler8037]

I'm sad that they beat Bristol, but Quin's are a brilliant team. The mouth guard revelation was especially interesting.

[@RobinCafolla]

Great video. I've missed the mile-a-minute pace and the sharp humour.

[@tim73639]

One of KZbin's finest, covering harlequins being harlequins. Top drawer.

[@JeffBlackham]

Great video. So many 'Oh yeah' moments when seeing the positioning analysed. Some of it more obvious when you watch and some less so to the mere normal supporter.

[@rufuscottle6877]

Big up the people here in the first 1 hour

[@max_wood]

Incredible video 👌🏻👌🏻

[@schmules101]

This was brilliant

[@benhaynes8819]

There is no such thing as a bad squidge video. Brilliant watch

[@camibird8811]

The Bee team joke is quality

[@robjackson5264]

Absolute banger mate

[@SolracFS]

Cheers, really enjoyed that squidge!

[@huwtindall7096]

Quins support play is outstanding. Like watching NZ. Every half break there are 2-3 players in support waiting for a pass or offload. Helps capitalise on every opportunity. Interesting to see how the mouthguard/player loading goes this year as it's not a secret anymore. Will the other teams follow suit and manage players accordingly?

[@orllyfools14X8]

Did you just say hella?? That’s so good. I’m from Northern California (where that word comes from) and I approve of the way you said it. The way you leaned into all those L’s was bone apple teeth. hahahah

[@lukegrene6115]

Every video just gets better

[@2shitehawk]

Awesome video!

[@eiremike1]

Excellent Squidge

[@joelstevens6394]

NEW SQUIDGE DROP!

[@jamesrautha162]

That stat about the reduced contact in training is mind blowing!! Comparatively makes me think of the UFC's Max Holloway no longer doing sparring and looking better than ever. Wonder how quickly other teams will pick this up.

[@frankiecheesewright9398]

Been waiting for this for ages. Worried it wasn’t gonna happen

[@DeliciousCube]

So happy to have Squidge back in my life

[@rp6398]

Just to add to the dictionary discovery of our name. I believe they wanted to keep the moniker HFC, so opened the dictionary straight to H! What a word to end on, love my Quins! Love this vid!

[@twells3458]

Hope you’re feeling better, another great video. Any plans for some early analysis on the impact of 50/22?

[@mattwake7230]

Oh god. I'm in bed exhausted, need to be up at 5.30am and Squidge has posted the video I've Always wanted to see. Damn him!

[@hanspeter6198]

Best rugby channel by far

[@frolesti]

This is awesome

[@sebp3249]

I've been waiting for this since the final whistle went.

[@caleb4369]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@henryburton6529]

Another stone cold banger from Squidge

[@17johnny69]

That was a really good dit.

[@guyhornsby9572]

This is so so so so SO GOOD.

[@joelb370]

Great to have ye back mate!! Are ye planning on doing any of the Rugby Championship? Aus vs SA perhaps for an upset win? Cheers!

[@johannrugby3811]

Nice one mate

[@MarcDavidReich]

Very good vid, and very appropriate

[@youssef80000]

I would absolutely love a video on the world cup qualifiers!!!

[@joshe-mcc3636]

Return of the King

[@barkerk100]

You are a perceptive and wise young man. Thank you.

[@catrionagordon9563]

YESS!!!

[@thomasnengres4093]

Would love to see a game between Harlequins and Toulouse

[@paulfrancisjenkins6483]

Welcome back

[@ronanoboyle6348]

football skyrocketing in popularity i see, last time i checked there were just 7 people who cared about it, great to hear its gone up to 12

[@crispinhawes6183]

Great stuff - I would point out though that yes, Quins had only won the top division once in their history, but there has only been a league championship in England since 1987, so it's not quite as bad as it sounds.

[@shaunmurray8106]

great stuff

[@lolivey8393]

Well, about the opening rant, I'd argue that the australian tour was quite the sunshine. We got three test between teams that, although both weakened (France to a more extreme degree), came to play, and it turned out to be both really enjoyable and very tight. Australia providing the more continuous domination while France mostly defended, but franced it up BIG time here and there. A really entertaining tour, even if it won't go down in the history books.

[@warrenmitchell4800]

softer stapling laws !! I think squidge is some kind of wondrous genious