- Andy Onyeama-Christie suffered a suspected ankle fracture and dislocation
- He is almost certain to miss the rest of the year with Saracens and Scotland
- Sarries’ perfect start to the new season went up in smoke against London rivals
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall described Andy Onyeama-Christie’s ankle injury as ‘horrendous’ after his team’s perfect start to the new season went up in smoke.
Onyeama-Christie faces yet another long spell on the sidelines and is almost certain to miss the rest of the year with Saracens and Scotland after suffering a suspected fracture and dislocation early in the first half.
There was a long delay while the flanker was treated before he left the field on a stretcher.
The agitated reactions of Saracens prop Marco Riccioni and Harlequins captain Stephan Lewies to seeing the injury told you how serious it was. TNT Sports’ coverage showed no replays.
‘He’s gone to hospital and it doesn’t look great,’ McCall said of Onyeama-Christie’s latest fitness blow. ‘I’m so gutted for him. He’s had a really tough three years.‘It’s just horrendous for him. He’s put so much work in and played brilliantly for us.’
Mark McCall has described Andy Onyeama-Christie’s ankle injury as ‘horrendous’
The Scotsman suffered a suspected fracture and dislocation early in the first half
Saracens had won all three of their opening Gallagher Premiership games with bonus points, but they never got going after losing one of their key men so quickly.
Harlequins had lost their last eight matches against their London rivals, but turned the tables thanks to tries in either half from England prop Fin Baxter and Lennox Anyanwu.
Marcus Smith kicked the rest of the home side’s points. In a dour game, Harlequins’ impressive defence stood out as they shut down the Saracens attack.
McCall’s side did go home with a losing bonus point thanks to a try from their former Quin Hugh Tizard who was booed by his old side’s supporters.
Harlequins lost James Chisholm to a first-half yellow. But this game was proof Smith and Co now have some defensive grit to go with their undoubted attacking flair.
‘It had a Test match feel to it,’ said Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson. ‘It’s a massive win against a fully-loaded Saracens.
There was a long delay while the flanker was treated before he left the field on a stretcher
‘Our physicality in defence allowed us to set the tone. Jason Gilmore’s arrival has brought a real clarity on defence.
‘We’ve got a quick turnaround now to another quality opponent in Bath, but we’ll celebrate a good derby win.’
