Having initially been ruled out of the game earlier in the week due to illness, Brown recovered in time to start the match at full back to win his second cap, while Gomarsall and Easter also retained their places in the starting XV. However, they could not stop the Springboks from winning the test series 2-0 thanks to a comfortable 55-22 victory at Loftus Versfeld.

Ceri Jones won his second cap for Wales by starting at tighthead prop in the second test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, where the Wallabies also claimed a 2-0 series win thanks to a 31-0 scoreline.

There was better news for the Quins players involved in the England Saxons team competing in the Churchill Cup. Jim Evans and Will Skinner, along with new signing John Brooks were all in the Saxons starting XV that defeated the New Zealand Maori's 17-13 in the final at Twickenham. Indeed, Skinner was named man-of-the-match as England won the Churchill Cup for a record third time.

Also in the Churchill Cup, Mike Ross made his third appearance in the competition and helped Ireland A win the third place play-off against Scotland A by the narrowest of margins (22-21).

In the closing tournament of this seasons IRB Sevens circuit, Danny Care, Charlie Amesbury and Tom Williams were part of the England squad that won the Bowl trophy at Murrayfield.