Harlequins

Club Details

Twickenham Stoop Stadium
Langhorn Drive
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 7SX
 
Stadium Capacity: 12,700 (10,000 seated)
Website: www.quins.co.uk  
Founded: 1866

- 2009/10 Season Preview -

Last year: Quins' largely successful season on the field was marred by one of the biggest scandals the games has ever seen. In their second season back in the Premiership, Dean Richards guided his team to second in the regular season (losing their semi-final to London Irish). Having qualified from a very tough group and beating Stade Français twice, they were knocked out of the Heineken Cup by the eventual champions in that fateful quarter-final. The rest is history - 'Bloodgate' and Richards' ensuing ban will be a smear of the club's - and the game's - reputation for years to come.

This year? How well will Quins deal with being in the media spotlight? Their every move, both on and off the field, will come under intense scrutiny, adding to the pressure of an already difficult season. While last year's results are testament to the quality of the club's first choice players, there may well be a lack of depth that could expose the Londoners - especially during the Six Nations and/or if Danny Care or Nick Evans are injured for any significant period of time. Much will also depend of how well the team adapt to a new Director of Rugby - whoever that might end up being.

Coach: With Richards' resignation/ban Quins have lost one of the most highly-regarded coaches around (even if not so highly-regarded any more). John Kingston will steer the ship while a replacement for Richards is found. Former Wasps and British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan is rumoured to be top of the list.

Captain: The youngest captain in the Guinness Premiership, Will Skinner will start his second season as Harlequins captain after leading the England Saxons to victory at the 2008 Churchill Cup. An excellent player and a respected leader, Skinner's role this season will be more important than ever.

One to watch: When on song, Nick Evans is one of the best fly-halves in world rugby and would probably be first choice for the All Blacks if he wasn't in the same generation as the best of them all - Dan Carter. With an accurate boot, outstanding vision and explosive acceleration, he is the quintessential number ten. Much of Quins' hopes will be pinned on Evans staying injury free.

Ins: John Andress (prop, Exeter), Gonzalo Camacho (centre, BACRC), Rory Clegg (fly-half, Newcastle), Kevin Corrigan (hooker, Esher), Karl Dickinson (scrum-half, Bedford), Josh Drauniniu (wing, Exeter), James Johnston (prop, Ponsonby), Lewis Stevenson (lock, Exeter).

Outs: Charlie Amesbury (wing, Newcastle), De Wet Barry (centre, Eastern Province), Peter Bracken (prop, released), John Brooks (prop, TBA), Phil Davies (back-row, Pau), Andy Gomarsall (scrum-half, Leeds), James Inglis (lock, released), Shane O'Connor (lock, released), Chris Malone (fly-half, London Irish), Mickey Pointing (hooker, released), Junior Polu (scrum-half, released), Alex Rogers (prop, released), Mike Ross (prop, Leinster), Tom Sargeant (flanker, released), Epi Taione (centre, Racing Metro).

Squad: John Andress, Gary Botha, Chris Brooker, Mike Brown, Gonzalo Camacho, Danny Care, Rory Clegg, Kevin Corrigan, Aston Croall, Karl Dickson, Josh Drauniniu, Nick Easter, Jim Evans, Nick Evans, Dan Frazier, Tani Fuga, Tom Guest, Seb Jewell, James Johnston, Ceri Jones, Ollie Kohn, Mark Lambert, George Lowe, Waisea Luveniyali, Joe Marler, Tosh Masson, Neil McMillan, Ugo Monye, James Percival, Chris Robshaw, George Robson, Will Skinner, Sam Smith, Steve So'oialo, Seb Stegmann, Lewis Stevenson, Sam Stitcher, David Strettle, Gonzalo Tiesi, Jordan Turner-Hall, Gareth M. Williams, Tom Williams, Chris York.