The 26-year-old has no shortage of memorable moments to call upon at HQ representing both Harlequins and England, winning the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final for the former in 2021 following a barnstorming clash with Exeter Chiefs. 

Quins triumphed 40-38 on a day when the only dampener came in the fact that just 10,000 were inside the stadium to witness the all-time classic due to Covid-19 restrictions. That has only strengthened the No.8’s desire to ensure his side return to the showpiece this summer to perform in front of a packed house. 

“Playing in front of a sold out Twickenham is always a special feeling and competing for trophies in front of a packed Twickenham is always where you want to be,” he said. 

“That final was a special day and I’d love to be able to do it all over again. 

“I remember waking up and having a good feeling about the day. We are lucky that it’s over the road from the Stoop so we were able to do the walk over there with the fans cheering us on, which is such a cool experience for us. 

“Given the ups and downs we’d had that season, to get the result and win the Gallagher Premiership at the end was a great feeling.” 

Quins are no strangers to Twickenham courtesy of occasions such as the Big Game – which Dombrandt has witnessed from both sides of the rope – and Big Summer Kick-Off, which in April promises to be a cracker against their fellow high-flyers Northampton Saints. England’s home is a venue which holds personal significance for Dombrandt, who made his Test debut at the stadium against Canada in 2021 and scored his sole international try to date in a Six Nations win over Wales the following spring. 

Such feats felt a long way away when the Surrey-born forward made his pilgrimages to the stadium growing up. 

“Whenever you go to a big stadium like that for the first time, it shocks you just how big it is,” he said. 

“The first time you get to your seat and see the pitch is special. I was definitely a bit overwhelmed by it all. 

“I went to a few games growing up and I’ll always remember going to Big Game 10 against Northampton Saints as a Quarter [Quins fan] because a year later, I played in Big Game 11 against Wasps. 

“Whenever you go to events like that as a fan, you always wonder how cool it would be to be involved. 

“But sitting there, I honestly never thought I’d be playing in it a year later and to score a try that day made it extra special. 

“Big matches at Twickenham, like the Big Game or Gallagher Premiership Final, are great days out for the fans. 

“Whether playing for Harlequins or England, in terms of how lucky you feel to be at Twickenham in front of all those people, the feeling of playing on that pitch is the same.”