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Harlequins confirm 25 of their 2018/19 squad and 12 who are leaving

Harlequins

After a number of tumultuous weeks at the Premiership club, Harlequins have released a list of 25 players that are committed to the west London outfit for next season, including five new signings.

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They have also listed 12 player departures, which includes 10 players who are leaving the club and two who are retiring.

Players not included in the list of 25 re-signees include – among others – Danny Care, Kyle Sinckler, Mike Brown, Ross Chisholm, Alofa Alofa, Jack Clifford, Mat Luamanu, Luke Wallace and Charlie Walker; many of whom are serving out existing contracts of unspecified lengths, although which contracts terminate at the end of this season is not completely clear.

In a statement this evening, the club report: “Adding international class to an already stellar backs division, centre Ben Tapuai joins from Bath and Nathan Earle from Saracens. In the forwards, Max Crumpton (Bristol Rugby) has already arrived at the club, with Nick Auterac (Bath) and Alex Dombrandt (Cardiff Met) soon set to provide further competition in the pack.”

“The Club is also delighted to announce that Chris Robshaw, James Horwill, Joe Marler, Marcus Smith and Tim Visser have signed new contracts along with 15 others.”

“Meanwhile the much-anticipated return of Renaldo Bothma from a broken arm next season will provide a huge boost to the side, after a frustrating first year at the Club. Similarly, Demetri Catrakilis and Francis Saili will be raring to go after injuries severely disrupted 2017/18, limiting both to just a handful of appearances.”

“Harlequins also has some goodbyes to make as players embark on the next step of their journeys. The Club acknowledges and applauds the immense contributions of hooker Joe Gray and second rows Sam Twomey and Charlie Matthews, wishing them well for the future.”

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“In addition we thank Jamie Roberts, Charlie Piper and Harry Sloan for their service and wish them good luck with their careers. The Club also thanks Sam Aspland-Robinson, Jake Hennessey, Cameron Holenstein and John Okafor for all they have done during their time with us.”

“Harlequins also pays tribute to two players who have announced their retirements from playing this season. We are very grateful to Winston Stanley, who retired on medical grounds, while the Club is also delighted that Adam Jones will be joining the coaching staff full-time next season.”

The club say that “Any further signings will be announced at the appropriate time.”

Harlequins Squad Update

Re-signings

Marcus Smith
Tim Visser
Chris Robshaw
James Horwill
Joe Marler
Dave Ward
Joe Marchant
Will Collier
Rob Buchanan
Stan South
Charlie Mulchrone
James Lang
Aaron Morris
Archie White
Dino Lamb
Gabriel Ibitoye
Henry Cheeseman
Josh McNulty
Josh Ibuanokpe
Calum Waters

New Signings for 2018/19

Ben Tapuai
Nathan Earle
Nick Auterac
Alex Dombrandt
Max Crumpton

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Players leaving at the end of the 2017/18 season

Sam Aspland
Joe Gray
Cameron Holenstein
Jake Hennessey
Charlie Matthews
John Okafor
Charlie Piper
Jamie Roberts
Harry Sloan
Sam Twomey

Retirements

Adam Jones – appointed as Assistant Forwards Coach
Winston Stanley

Watch episode one of the Rugby Explorer with Big Jim Hamilton

Ex-Scotland international, Jim Hamilton, travels to Singapore to explore the city and find out more about the rugby scene in the Southeast Asian country. He meets up with the national team captain and several local players.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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