Harlequins v Bayonne Prediction: Smith to help put smiles back on Quins faces

Harlequins can land a much-needed win on Sunday (13:00, Premier Sports 1) as they hope to end their recent losing streak when they take on Bayonne in the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Harlequins vs Bayonne prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown at the Twickenham Stoop.

Team News

Fin Baxter, Jack Walker and Pedro Delgado start in the front row for Quins, while locks Guido Petti Pagadizábal and Stephan Lewies start in the second row.

Jack Kenningham, Will Evans and Zach Carr complete the pack, while Will Porter and Marcus Smith are reunited in the half-backs.

Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard start in the centres, with skipper Cadan Murley, Cassius Cleaves and Nick David in the back three for the hosts.

Harlequins vs Bayonne Odds

As for Bayonne, Ignacio Calles, Lucas Martin and Emerick Setiano start in the front row, with locks Alvaro Garcia Iandolino and Lucas Paulos in the engine room.

Skipper Alexandre Fischer, Esteban Capilla and Manex Ariceta form the back row, with Baptiste Tilloles and Tom Spring in the half-backs.

Federico Mori and Sireli Maqala start in the centres, while Bayonne have gone with a back three of Victor Hannoun, Jonah Thompson and Yohan Orabe.

Match Odds

Harlequins are 1/20 to get the job done in the English capital, while Bayonne are 9/1 to head back to France with the victory.

A draw at The Stoop is currently 25/1, while Bayonne with a +8.5 first-half handicap are available at 1/1.

Harlequins -21 handicap @ 11/10

The return of a certain England and British & Irish Lion in the form of Marcus Smith in the No.10 jersey will be a welcome sight for Quins fans this weekend.

Harlequins currently find themselves on a four-game losing streak, but in fairness two of those matches did come in the Premiership Rugby Cup with weakened teams taking the field.

A 45-28 defeat with an under-strength side at Leinster was a reasonable return but with Smith back at fly-half, much more can be expected of Quins this weekend, especially on their own patch.

Bayonne are notoriously poor travellers, as their away form in 2025 suggests.

Looking back on all of their away matches this calendar year in all competitions, results read two wins, one draw and 11 defeats.

Currently on a four-match losing streak on the road, it’s hard to see Bayonne’s away fortunes changing on what looks set to be an overcast and cold day at The Stoop.

It’s a considerable handicap to cover at -21, but with Smith’s kicking from the tee, Quins look to be up to the challenge on Sunday.

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