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Harlequins confirm seven exits, including their ex-NFL recruit
By Liam Heagney
Beaten in last Saturday’s Gallager Premiership semi-final by Saracens, 2021 champions Harlequins have confirmed the names of the seven players leaving them now that their 2021/22 season is over. The departures of the retiring Joe Gray and Matt Symons had previously been announced, as were the exits of the Saracens-bound Hugh Tizard and the Glasgow re-signing Huw Jones.
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Now three more names have been added to that list with prop Craig Trenier retiring, and Christian Scotland-Williamson and Mak Wilson both being released.
Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson said: “I’d like to thank every one of our seven leavers this summer for their dedication to the jersey during their tenures at the club. Joe, Matt and Craig hang up their boots at the end of the season and should be immensely proud of their careers as professional athletes, a feat so many strive to achieve.
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“Hugh, Christian, Mak and Huw have been fantastic during their times with us and I know all will go on to find great success in their next steps.”
Joe Gray
A two-time Premiership winner across two stints and 177 appearances for Harlequins, the hooker will hang up his boots as he retires from professional rugby this summer. Establishing himself as an England international during his time with Harlequins, Gray will swap his blue scrum cap for the coaches’ whistle as he takes up his new role as head coach of London Scottish following the announcement of a strategic partnership between the Championship club and Quins.
Matt Symons
Announced earlier this season, second row Symons will retire this summer following a four-year stint with the London club having joined from Premiership rivals Wasps. He also previously represented London Irish and the Chiefs in New Zealand. Symons moves immediately into a role in central London working in commercial real estate. A key figure in Harlequins Premiership title win last season, the lock will long be remembered at The Stoop.
Craig Trenier
Calling time on professional rugby this summer due to injury following a two-season spell with the club, tighthead prop Trenier joined from Championship side Ealing Trailfinders ahead of rugby’s return from the pandemic in the summer of 2020. Making his club debut in the Premiership season opener away to Newcastle Falcons earlier this campaign, the Irishman will retire to focus full-time on his recruitment business, Albert Bow.
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Christian Scotland-Williamson
The second row leaves the club this summer following a one-year stint with Quins, arriving at The Stoop last summer having returned from a three-year spell in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mak Wilson
The ex-Scotland U20s prop will leave Harlequins this summer after two years. Joining from Super 6 side Southern Knights, he made his debut for Quins in the Premiership Cup and went on to play in the Champions Cup, coming on against Cardiff earlier this season.
Huw Jones
The Scotland international will depart London this summer following a one-year stint, re-joining Glasgow. A versatile back, he first made his mark for Harlequins in the centre but went on in his 28 appearances to make his most memorable performances at full-back.
Hugh Tizard
The Harlequins academy graduate will depart to join London rivals Saracens. After making his senior debut in 2019 against his new club, Tizard burst through during Quins’ title-winning 2020/21 season.
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Hugh Tizard is a big loss