Harlequins lock in 'one of the most dangerous ball carrying hookers' in the Premiership

Hooker Elia Elia has signed a new contract with Harlequins. The 23-year-old Samoan international, who initially joined the Club on a short-term deal in 2016, has played a vital role in the squad as Harlequins have risen to third in the Gallagher Premiership this season and reached the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

The club tracked him during Samoa’s successful World Rugby U20s in 2016, when Elia was playing as a Number eight and impressed with ball in hand. In 2017 he moved to hooker and was included in the Manu Samoa squad for the Autumn Internationals. Harlequins signed him straight after his first start for Samoa against Canada and made the move permanent soon after. He has since earned six international caps.

Elia, who scored his first try of the season against Saracens at The Stoop on Saturday, said: “There is a great buzz going about The Stoop at the moment. It is a lot of fun and we are developing an excellent winning mentality.

“I am delighted to be re-signing with the Club and now look forward to creating some very special memories for The Stoop supporters.”

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Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “I am delighted Eazee has committed his future to the club. When I was appointed to the role back in July I was really looking forward to working with Elia and helping him progress in his career.

“Eazee is so laid back he is horizontal but he is a very talented rugby player who has natural game sense, incredible latent raw power and a great turn of pace which makes him one of the most dangerous ball carrying hookers in the competition.

“The coaches and support staff are committed to helping Elia realise his potential and help him develop into one of the leading hookers in the Gallagher Premiership. As a front row forward he is still maturing, but he has the physical qualities to be a monster if he applies and pushes himself to aim high.

“It is our job to help him see the way and show everyone what we see, and what we know, lies inside him.”