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Demetri Catrakilis taken to hospital after breathing issue in Quins win

Demetri Catrakilis is stretchered from the field during Harlequins' win over Gloucester. Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins

Harlequins fly-half Demetri Catrakilis was taken to hospital after he stopped breathing for several seconds during his side's 28-17 Aviva Premiership victory over Gloucester.

South African-born Catrakilis was injured by a shoulder hitting him near his throat minutes after he had kicked the first penalty of the Twickenham Stoop contest.

Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston explained afterwards: "He has gone to hospital. He was struggling to breathe on the pitch. The area to breathe properly was not clearing which needed to get oxygen.

"We needed to get him to hospital. They will probably assess him overnight. It is precautionary but when you get a blockage like that, it is something you have to react quickly to.

"It was a shoulder to his throat. That was causing him difficulty and, indeed, he did not breathe for a few seconds. But then he started to and the oxygen helped him after he came off the pitch."

Catrakilis was replaced by 18-year-old Marcus Smith, who had an excellent game with two penalties and two conversions.

Back-row Dave Ward and wings Charlie Walker and Marland Yarde also scored tries.

Kingston was pleased his team bounced back from the 39-29 defeat to London Irish at Twickenham last Saturday, saying: "The bottom line was I demanded a reaction from last week.

"That wasn't what we feel we are. With all due respect, the opposition played well. Today, we were working really hard for all the crumb sand the loose balls. Physicality was there and the work ethic.

"I have just said to them that if two games encompass what this league is about, it is there. You have to want it. If you are not absolutely desperate, you will come unstuck in this league."