Harlequins 24-22 Exeter: Marcus Smith heats up for Lions Tour with 14-point trek to ensure

Marcus Smith warmed up for the British & Irish Lions tour with a characteristic Jinking attempt and a 14-point trek to ensure that Danny Care’s Harlequins Farewell ended with a victory.

Smith goes to Australia after a disappointing season in which he lost his start of England, no. 10 place.

But he took a rabbit out of a hat to come up with a crucial second half score and kicked three conversions and a crucial penalty.

Quins and England will retire great care at the end of the season after a shimmering career.

He wore his trademark no. 9 shirt here, even though he started between the replacements.

Care walked outside with his three children before he started with enormous cheers and the Stop public sang his name everywhere.

Danny Care’s 364th Harlequins appearance and last home game ended with a victory

Care will retire at the end of the season after a glittering career at Club and Country

He appeared from the bank in the 64th minute before his 394th and last Harlequins home game.

It seemed that care in the last minutes would draw up a punishment to mark his milestone.

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

It meant that Harlequins missed a bonus point with four try, which certainly ended their slim play-off opportunities.

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

He said: “I thought I would have some fun and go out.

‘The 19 years I had here have been great.

‘The fans have felt welcome from the first day.

‘I will never be able to forget the magical moments of winning premiership in 2012 and 2021.

“Those are the memories I will miss.”

Marcus Smith made sure that the big moment of Care went with an attempt as part of a 14-point trek

Smith, described as ‘phenomenal’ by Harlequin’s head coach Danny Wilson, presented care with a special limit to commemorate his career on full -time.

‘Danny (Care) has been my idol since I grew up. He was someone I wanted to emulate, so it was great to play the privilege of playing with him, “said Smith.

“We have had some great memories and it is really nice to celebrate with him.”

A narrow defeat for Exeter continued their nightmare season that cannot end quickly enough.