Harlequins sit ninth in Premiership Rugby with three wins from twelve matches, and their playoff hopes are over, according to multiple reports. Their recent form includes an 18-14 victory over Bristol Bears at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, which was their first league success since October and only their third Premiership win of the season, as reported by major media. However, they were without key players Marcus Smith and Chandler Cunningham-South for that match, multiple sources indicate. This win provided a brief respite in a challenging campaign that has seen only one victory since the winter break, research shows.
In European competition, Harlequins lost to Sale Sharks in the European Champions Cup last 16 at Twickenham Stoop, major media reports confirm. The match featured large swathes of empty seats with more than 6,000 tickets unsold, according to multiple sources. Sale Sharks held off a second-half comeback from Harlequins to progress to the Champions Cup quarter-finals, as reported by major media.
Key performances in that Champions Cup defeat saw George Ford kick three penalties and convert a try for Sale Sharks, while Luke Cowan-Dickie scored two tries, according to major media. For Harlequins, Chandler Cunningham-South and Alex Dombrandt scored tries in the loss, multiple reports indicate. Sale Sharks have now won three consecutive games as of Round 13, demonstrating their strong form.
Looking ahead, Harlequins have appointed Jason Gilmore as permanent head coach for the coming years, a move that had an underwhelming feel, according to major media. Robbie Deans will join as performance director in the summer but will not be at the club in person on a full-time basis, multiple sources report. Additionally, the club announced that Rob Hunter will join as part of the coaching staff next season, major media confirms.
In player news, Chandler Cunningham-South has re-signed with Harlequins on a mammoth salary, according to major media. His absence, along with Marcus Smith's, was felt in the win over Bristol Bears, as multiple reports indicate.
Meanwhile, Bristol Bears announced a pre-tax annual loss of £5.6 million despite a slightly increased turnover of £11.1 million, major media reports. They are in fifth place, seven points off the playoff positions after losing to Harlequins, according to multiple sources.
Bristol Bears broke the record for their highest-ever points tally against Gloucester in all competitions with a seven-try win at Ashton Gate, as reported by major media. They are now two points off Exeter Chiefs in fourth place after beating Gloucester, multiple sources indicate.
Gloucester have won just twice in 13 attempts this season, highlighting a poor campaign, major media reports. This contrasts with Harlequins' own struggles, as they have won only one game since the winter break, research shows.
In Premiership Women's Rugby, the 2025–26 season is the ninth season of England's top-flight domestic women's rugby union club competition, research indicates. Gloucester–Hartpury are the reigning champions entering the season, having won their third league title in the 2025 final against Saracens, according to research. Ahead of the season, Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester–Hartpury, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks each announced changes to their head coach positions, research shows. The season start was pushed back by three weeks due to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, and the PWR Cup returned as a pre-season developmental tournament after a hiatus in 2024–25, research shows.
Gloucester-Hartpury and Saracens are the teams to beat this season, with both securing bonus point wins in Round 13, research reports. Gloucester-Hartpury beat Saracens to return to the top of the Premiership Women's Rugby table, according to research. Alex Matthews scored a hat-trick for Gloucester-Hartpury in their win over Saracens, according to major media.
Saracens won their twelfth consecutive PWR victory with a win over Harlequins in Round 13, research shows. Their win over Harlequins put them back atop the league table, according to research. May Campbell scored her tenth try of the season in the match against Harlequins, while Jade Konkel scored for Harlequins, and Olivia Apps and Jess Breach scored for Saracens, research indicates.
The Bristol Bears vs. Harlequins women's match was watched by 14,020 fans, a record for a 'home' game for Bristol, major media reports. Emma Orr scored two second-half tries for Bristol Bears women's team in their win over Harlequins, according to multiple sources. Harlequins women's team lost their sixth match in a row against Bristol Bears, as reported by major media.
Loughborough Lightning beat Harlequins 43-33 in Premiership Women's Rugby, with Bo Westcombe-Evans scoring a hat-trick, according to major media. Ellie Kildunne and Sadia Kabeya returned to play for their teams after being stranded in Dubai, multiple reports indicate.
In Round 13, Gloucester Hartpury beat Exeter Chiefs with a bonus point win, Harlequins lost at home to Saracens, Bristol Bears beat Leicester Tigers 68-0, and Sale Sharks beat Loughborough Lightning 31-29, research shows. There are five more rounds remaining in the 2025/26 Premiership Women's Rugby season, and the top two teams are locked in for knockout rugby in June, according to research.
Saracens won the 2025 PWR Cup, retaining their title from 2023–24, after defeating Harlequins in the final at StoneX Stadium on 11 October 2025, research reports. Amelia MacDougall was Player of the Match in the final, according to research.
Harlequins' season struggles have implications for their rebuilding efforts under new coaching staff. The team must address consistency and attendance issues to compete at the highest level. With key players like Cunningham-South secured, the focus turns to integrating new management and improving results in both men's and women's leagues.