Our Harlequins Gallagher Premiership preview assesses the state of play at The Stoop because the well-supported and entertaining Quins look to mount one other severe title problem.
Dialogue factors
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Quins have bought out their season tickets for a 3rd yr operating, their swashbuckling rugby wooing followers in massive numbers. Their 2023-24 European exploits – which included thrilling wins at Racing and Bordeaux – made a second successive sixth-place league end more durable to swallow; a way of underachievement hangs within the Stoop air.
Into the combo come two veteran Welsh Lions in Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones in addition to Argentina’s sevens star Rodrigo Isgró, although tighthead Titi Lamositele is probably the most telling signing, tasked as he’s with changing membership legend Will Collier. Andre Esterhuizen, the fabulously assertive ball-carrier in midfield, may even be a lot missed.
Quins leaked probably the most league tries final season aside from the underside two, so the arrival of Jason Gilmore as defence coach is seminal. He’s had head coach roles with Australia’s U20 and A groups, together with defence roles on the Waratahs and Reds. Some issues by no means change, nevertheless: Danny Care is getting into his nineteenth season on the membership.
At 37, scrum-half Danny Care is an ever-present at Quins (Getty Pictures)
Key participant
Can one man be too vital? At instances you’re feeling Quins are ready for Marcus Smith to conjure some match-winning magic. Actually they’re a really completely different facet with out him. “Not once more!” spluttered Care after one in every of Smith’s many match awards.
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One to look at
Joe Marler, 34, is handing the loosehead baton to Fin Baxter, 22, at membership and Check degree. To date he has handed each problem. “Don’t be fooled by the infant face, there’s a correct Check participant behind that façade,” stated Marler after Baxter’s Check debut in NZ.
Coaches’ field
Moreover Gilmore, there’s a brand new Head of Medical in Brian O’Leary, who spent 9 years as Head of Efficiency at London Irish. Danny Wilson (head), Nick Evans (assault) and Adam Jones (scrum & transition) are the linchpins.
Prediction
If they will tighten up defensively with out dropping that ‘swing the bat’ brio, they’ll be main contenders.
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