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| - Louis Lynagh scored two late tries as Harlequins edged out holders Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in a dramatic English Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday. On a ground where his father, Michael Lynagh, helped Australia win the 1991 Rugby World Cup final, the wing's double just gave Quins enough breathing space to see off Exeter who suffered a fourth defeat in six successive Premiership final appearances. Victory in a match of 10 tries and a penalty try, meant Quins become the first team since Saracens six years ago to finish fourth after the regular season and still be crowned champions. Michael Lynagh was among a Covid-reduced crowd of 10,000 at English rugby union's headquarters, with the 20-year-old Louis saying his father, who overcame a stroke in 2012, had struggled to contain his emotions on an extraordinary day. "I think my brothers and girlfriend said he was crying," Louis told BT Sport. "He won't do it in front of me. "To make him proud is all I've wanted in life. I saw him cheering. "He's my biggest fan and I'm so glad I could this for him." This was another astonishing display by Harlequins, who had been 28-0 down in their semi-final against Bristol Bears before winning 43-36 in extra-time. And it completed a remarkable season for Quins, whose Stoop ground is a short walk from Twickenham, after they were thrashed 49-7 by French side Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup in December. Quins have also been effectively coached by a committee since parting company with director of rugby Paul Gustard in January. Lynagh's tries, allied to two fine conversions by Marcus Smith, enabled them to lead 40-31 against the reigning champions with just seven minutes remaining. But Exeter, in arguably the most stunning Premiership final of them all, scored from the restart, with Stuart Hogg going over for a converted try. The Scotland captain's score helped reduce Quins' lead to just two points with 60 seconds left. But Quins held out as the London club won their first Premiership title since 2012 and completed a double after their women's team were crowned English champions this season. Quins made a fine start when they were awarded a fourth-minute penalty try after Jonny Hill pulled down a driving maul from a close range line-out -- a move that saw the England lock sin-binned. But when they had their full XV back on the field, a series of tap and go penalties ended with Scotland lock Jonny Gray forcing his way over for a 20th-minute try. Alec Hepburn went over 10 minutes later, with Smith sent to the sin-bin after repeated Quins infringements. But a see-saw match saw Quins hit back through tries from Wilco Louw and Alex Dombrandt to lead 19-14 at half-time. Andre Esterhuizen extended their advantage by latching on to Smith's long pass only for Exeter's Sam Simmonds and Ollie Devoto to score tries as the Chiefs regained the lead. Simmonds kicked a simple penalty to increase the gap to five points with 15 minutes to go. But Harlequins refused to yield, with a pack featuring player of the match Joe Marler, forcing their way into Exeter territory before Smith's superb delayed pass sent Lynagh in on the left wing for the first of two fine tries. jdg/dj
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