Kingston hails Clegg

Teenager holds his nerve to earn a draw

Last updated: 31st October 2009  

Kingston hails Clegg

John Kingston: justice was done

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Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston praised Rory Clegg after the teenage fly-half kicked a last-gasp penalty to earn his side a 9-9 draw against London Irish.

Clegg, 19, was making his first Quins start in the Premiership following his summer move from Newcastle and he put in a mixed display at a sold-out Twickenham Stoop.

"It was tremendous for him," said Kingston, who selected Clegg after first-choice fly-half Nick Evans pulled out in midweek with a calf injury.

"He is a very calm character. We believe in him hugely otherwise we wouldn't have invested the time we have in him.

"We see him as the long-term future of the club and what better way to become a great number 10 than to work alongside someone like Nick Evans.

"He will have learnt a huge amount today."

In what turned into yet another Premiership war of attrition, it was always going to be a battle of the boot.

"I think justice was done," Kingston added.

"Quite a few people have said that was the least we deserved. It was, but I think London Irish did enough to warrant getting something as well."

Irish have lost ground on unbeaten leaders Saracens and Armitage can ultimately take the blame with his last-minute aberration.

Strong

However, the flanker, released by England manager Martin Johnson to play this weekend, put in a strong all-round display to further enhance the prospect of him playing at seven against Australia next Saturday.

"Steffon's had a go at a breakdown - some you get, some you don't. You have a gamble," said Toby Booth, the Exiles' head coach.

"But Steffon knew this was an opportunity to put his hand up (to Johnson) and I'm sure he'll be pleased with some of the things he did today, not best pleased with others.

"It was a decent game for him and he just needs to keep banging on the door - hopefully for him, one day it will open."

As for the game itself, Booth added: "On reflection, it's probably a fair result.

"But we are disappointed because we were imprecise in a lot of areas. We didn't adapt quick enough and it became a bit of a tug-of-war."