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Ex-Harlequin and England rep Luke Wallace makes switch to Championship

Luke Wallace in action for England in 2014 against Barbarians. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Greene King IPA Championship clubs’ precarious financial state is no great secret and very few have the flexibility in their budgets to go after a player as accomplished as Luke Wallace.

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The majority of higher profile signings made in the competition in recent years have generally been made by the relegated team from the Gallagher Premiership, Ealing Trailfinders, who have significant financial backing, or Yorkshire Carnegie, before their recent money issues.

Coventry’s rise back up the English league structure has not gone unnoticed, however, nor has the healthy crowds they are attracting to Butts Park Arena.

Those crowds will now be treated to the sight of flanker Wallace, with the 28-year-old agreeing to move to Coventry for the 2019/20 season.

Speaking on the move, Wallace said “I am really looking forward to joining Coventry and linking up with the team next week. It is a good opportunity for me to join a strong squad and play my part during an exciting time for the club.”

The former Harlequin is one of a number of players let go by the Twickenham-based club this summer, with Head of Rugby Paul Gustard beginning to mould the squad to his liking, 12 months after leaving his role as England’s defence coach to take the reins. Wallace made 169 appearances during his 10-year stay at the club and represented England against the Barbarians, albeit in an uncapped match.

Luke Wallace
Luke Wallace of Harlequins waves to the supporters after the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stoop. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)
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“Luke is going to add significant experience to the team and we are excited to get him on board,” said Coventry Director of Rugby Rowland Winter.

“We have lots of quality in the back row and the competition for places will be fierce, which is exactly what we need in order to drive our way up the league table.”

Wallace will join the likes of Jack Ram and Ben Nutley in the Coventry back row, as well as making the move to the West Midlands alongside fellow Quins academy product Stan South. Other arrivals from Premiership sides this summer include Gareth Denman, Ryan Burrows, James Voss and David Langley.

With increasing concern that the Premiership may seek to end promotion to the competition, the likes of Coventry and Ealing have strengthened significantly this summer, with both clubs intent on challenging Newcastle Falcons for top spot in English rugby’s second tier next season.

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In other news: Retallick’s deal leaves Kiwis worried

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J
JW 11 minutes ago
Super Rugby Pacific has turned the ship around in the right direction

LOL thats the same mentality the French saying about the Top 14. Why change their ridiculous comp if its performing well with investors?


There is always better JWH.


It depends really what you want out of Super Rugby and NPC. Currently Super Rugby fills both niche’s, it has the up and commers as well as the stars performing at the top. Reducing further obviously improves further on what has been the reason everybody is enjoying this season.


There is definitely a question of balance and what going further that way removes. But theres a few reasons. What coaches are telling us is it is also a struggle to find the talent to fill out a strong SR side. There is talk of increasing financial constraints. Currently there is a lopsided (random) amount of derby home and away match ups in each conference, so going 5v5 instead of 6v6 may mean we have a full derby round for each conference (currently I think they play just 3 teams twice), or even squeeze in a full dbl round comp. Going a larger number of teams means they need to go much larger to fairer league setup.


But they need to add or remove JWH, one or the other, and I was merely pointing out that adding, like you’re suggestion, is likely going to introduce just what we all (or at least what the person I was replying to was saying) think the comp has been remedied of, having a weak team. The 5v5 I referenced was 3 Aus teams, with the other two filling the landscape their, and 5 here. That’s what NZR wanted to kick off for the COVID year but ARU threw a hissy fit. If going to 10 is the right thing to do maybe it’s an NZ team that needs to be dropped, so Moana would remain here and Drua continue to be with the aussies, thats the other possible 5 v 5 setup (which would just be 10 if they found a way for all to play even games).

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