Injury crisis at Harlequins forces club to sign two scrumhalves

Harlequins have confirmed the signing of two scrumhalves to cover a burgeoning injury crisis at nine.

Danny Care sustained an ankle injury during pre-season training, with a projected eight-week recovery time.

The 32-year-old, who has made over 260 appearances for the club, underwent surgery but isn’t expect to be back until October.

To add to their difficulties, back-up scrumhalf Niall Saunders was injured on the weekend against Bristol.

The club today signed Dylan Munro and Lloyd Wheeldon, one to the academy and one on a short-term contract.

Munro signed a two-year deal with the Harlequins Academy earlier this month, joining from Stellenbosch University where the 19-year-old was a key player for the Stellenbosch Rugby side in his home nation of South Africa.

Expressing his delight, Munro said: “Harlequins is a Club known across the globe, so to be joining is a dream come true for me. I have already learnt so much and being around such a talented group has helped me grow as a player. I can’t wait to get out there in the famous Quarters and represent this team.”

Also joining the club after a successful trial is fellow scrumhalf Lloyd Wheeldon. He has been offered a short-term contract to provide cover at Number 9 with current injuries to “The Talisman” Danny Care and young hotshot Niall Saunders, who will unfortunately be out for around three weeks with an oblique injury, following his explosive start against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

A serving Lance Corporal in 3 Para, Wheeldon joins Harlequins following a successful spell with the Army Rugby Union. The 23-year-old has already represented Harlequins at the recent Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, scoring against Bristol in the quarter-final.

#Harlequins very good interview on @RugbyPass with Ackerman, Gussy and Kidney, well worth a read @RugbyGlos @RugbyQuins @RugbyLI https://t.co/NeJm6QLSL5

— Friends Of The Stoop #COYQ ? (@QuinsFOTS) September 15, 2019

Wheeldon commented: “Having previously represented the Army at Twickenham, I’ve had a taste of what it feels like to play on the biggest stage and the opportunity to join a Club like Harlequins is an incredible next step in my rugby journey.”

Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard added: “We’ve been impressed by the attitude, character and effort shown by both Dylan and Lloyd in training and are delighted to offer them more formal opportunities with the Club.

“Dylan was recommended to me by my good friends Ernst Joubert and Neil de Kock in South Africa and, whilst on my holiday/recruitment break, we managed to organise for him to come over on a trial basis. We have limited options at scrum-half in terms of our pathway, which has been a concern, so I have been looking for someone for a while to give us depth and who also has the core skillset and physical attributes required. I believe Dylan will prove to be a successful addition to our squad – he has raw ability and genuine pace, which is in keeping with how we want to play.

“First and foremost, Lloyd is a great kid, and he has worked incredibly hard since arriving at the Club on a training contract in June. His attitude and aptitude to make a swift comeback following a hamstring injury in pre-season is testament to his mental fortitude and desire to play professional rugby.

“We are pleased that we can formally announce him on an initial short-term contract following Niall’s injury to allow him to compete and follow his ambition. I am equally grateful to the cooperation of the Army and the excellent work of our superb Player Development Manager, Andy Sanger, who is quite simply, one of the greats.”