Harlequins 24-22 Exeter: Marcus Smith warms up for Lions tour with 14-point haul to ensure Danny Care's home farewell ends with a win

  • Lions tourist Marcus Smith scored a try as part of a 14-point haul for Harlequins
  • It ensured Quins legend Danny Care's final home game ended with a win
  • Care was honoured  after his 394th and last Harlequins home appearance

Marcus Smith warmed up for the British & Irish Lions tour with a trademark jinking try and a 14-point haul to ensure Danny Care’s Harlequins farewell ended with a win. 

Smith will go to Australia after a disappointing season in which he lost his starting England No 10 spot. 

But he pulled a rabbit from a hat to come up with a crucial second-half score and kicked three conversions and a crucial penalty. 

Quins and England great Care will retire at the end of the season after a glittering career. 

He wore his trademark No 9 shirt here even though he started among the replacements. 

Care walked out with his three children before kick-off to huge cheers and The Stoop crowd sang his name throughout. 

Danny Care's 364th Harlequins appearance and final home game ended with a win

Care will retire at the end of the season after a glittering career with club and country

SCORERS

Harlequins

Tries: Murley, Porter, Smith 

Cons: Smith (3) 

Pen: Smith  

Exeter 

Tries: Tuima, Wyatt, Townsend

Cons: Slade (2) 

Pen: Slade 

He appeared off the bench in the 64th minute for his 394th and last Harlequins home game. 

It looked like Care would line up a penalty in the final minutes to mark his milestone.

But in the end it was he who kicked the ball out to end the tie. 

It meant Harlequins missed out on a four-try bonus point, definitely ending their slim play-off chances. 

Care, 38, won two Premiership titles and earned 101 England caps. 

He said: ‘I thought I’d have some fun and go out swinging. 

'The 19 years I’ve had here have been amazing. 

'The fans have made me feel welcome from day one. 

‘I’ll never be able to forget the magical moments of winning the Premiership in 2012 and 2021. 

'Those are the memories I’ll miss.’ 

Marcus Smith ensured Care's big moment went to plan with a try as part of a 14-point haul

Smith, described as ‘phenomenal’ by Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson, presented Care with a special cap to commemorate his career at full time. 

‘Danny (Care) has been my idol since I was growing up. He was someone I wanted to emulate, so to have the privilege to play with him was amazing,’ Smith said. 

‘We’ve had some amazing memories and it’s really nice to celebrate with him.’ 

A narrow defeat for Exeter continued their nightmare season which can’t end quickly enough.

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