'It was a difficult result' - Marshall reflects on defeat for Saints Under-18s

Defence coach Reece Marshall reflected on a 'difficult result' for Saints Under-18s after they suffered just their third defeat of the PREM Next Gen Season last weekend.

Saints were beaten 68-24 at Harlequins, despite tries from Will Hepher, Charlie Tamani, Ted Warner and Elijah Jeyes.

Saints Under-18s were beaten by their Harlequins counterparts (picture: Northampton Saints)

placeholder image — Saints Under-18s were beaten by their Harlequins counterparts (picture: Northampton Saints)

It meant Quins remained unbeaten in 2026, having scored 10 tries in the game at Gordon’s School in Surrey.

“It was a difficult result," Marshall said. “I think it was a team that just went within themselves a bit and probably just went away from our DNA.

“We came under a lot of pressure from some very good Quins tries and I guess the challenge is when you lose your stronger voices to injuries as we have, it’s important that people step into that role.

“I think we’re still learning how we do that and that’s made it difficult for us to go out and perform and put what we want on the pitch.”

Immediately after the Under-18s fixture, the Harlequins and Saints Under-17s sides took to the field for a friendly.

James Slater, Massimo Rapps, Charlie King and Alfie Tedbury scored for Saints, but Harlequins came away with a 38-26 victory.

Saints Under-18s: 15 Hardy Linnell; 14 Will Howes, 13 Elijah Jeyes, 12 Finlay Shields, 11 Charlie Tamani; 10 Sonny Goode (c), 9 Jack Woods; 1 Lucas Veevers, 2 Ferdi Barnett-Vincent, 3 Aiden Reid; 4 Rafferty Hewitt, 5 George Tonga’uiha; 6 Archie McHarg, 7 Will Hepeher, 8 Charlie Hammick.

Replacements: 16 Kingsley Gallimore, 17 Toby Seaman, 18 Ben Jones, 19 Ted Warner, 20 Callum Tarry, 22 Caelin Chin, 23 Finn Westley.

Saints Under-17s: 15 Benjamin Bullen; 14 Jeremiah German, 13 Harvey Fisher, 12 Joshua Miller, 11 Alfred Tedbury; 10 Kai Manson, 9 Massimo Rapps; 1 Dylan Hooper, 2 James Slater, 3 Oliver Surley; 4 William Higgins, 5 Will Hart; 6 Oscar Wells, 7 Jordan Johnson, 8 Harry Nath.

Replacements: 16 Elliott Marsh, 17 George Glenn, 18 Louis Agostini, 19 Toby Price, 20 Jack Potter, 21 George Grewcock, 22 Harry Carter, 23 Charlie King, 24 Benji Patterson.