Salty celebrations, questionable signings and Test bolters - Prem talking points

Salty celebrations, questionable signings and Test bolters - Prem talking points The stats piled up after a car‑crash showing by Harlequins in a 48‑0 shellacking by Gloucester. The biggest league decision in 26 years saw seventeen penalties conceded, only two entries made into the opposition 22‑metre area and not a single starting forward making more than four carries. It was a desperately under‑powered display. Boss Jason Gilmore described it as "totally unacceptable" in the aftermath. The Australian has overseen a few eyesores during his tenure – a 38‑0 reverse at Sandy Park and a 40‑14 reverse at the club’s festive fixture at Allianz Stadium spring to mind. Gilmore says turning the tanker around will take time; contracts must run down and funds reassigned to other areas of the squad. Full‑back George Furbank was this summer’s major investment. The 29‑year‑old marked his Premiership debut for his new side with a couple of trademark breaks, slicing up from the backfield. He is a classy addition, but is he the signing they needed, with little room to manoeuvre under the wage cap and a creaking forward pack limiting the supply of ball to the backline? England loosehead prop Fin Baxter has been sidelined for ten months with a foot injury, but should be back soon. South African tighthead Sampie Swiegers is in contention for a place after his showing in London. Chandler Cunningham‑South and Guido Petti may owe a start from the outset. But, with Alex Dombrandt expected to miss the bulk of the season with a knee ligament injury sustained in June, Quins will need them all to hit the ground running. A snarl up front, rather than a gentle retreat behind, is where they are lacking. Unbeaten Bristol draw a crowd Bristol chief executive Tom T