Tigers fans fuming after losing ex-England U20s flanker to Harlequins

As part of Harlequins’ rampant spending spree ahead of next season, the London club have signed Leicester’s Will Evans – as first flagged by RugbyPass in January.

The 22-year-old flanker is regarded as a highly promising player at Leicester, and has even been called up to Eddie Jones’ England squad in the past. This is where he would have encountered current Quins boss Paul Gustard, who is obviously an admirer of his.

To date, Harlequins have made seven new signings this week, which has a blend of experienced and inexperience, with plenty of international caps included.

The Quins fans are keen to see the former England u20s star arrive at the Stoop, with the signing being described by one fan as the “best one yet”. That is some statement given the calibre of players that are arriving next season such as Michele Campagnaro, Scott Baldwin and Martin Landajo.

However, what is most noticeable on social media is the disappointment from Leicester fans, who have seen yet another promising young player leave that has come through their academy.

The Tigers saw Harry Thacker move to Bristol last season which has disappointed many, and Evans is another that has slipped through their fingers.

This is what the fans are saying:
https://twitter.com/J_A_C_K_P/status/1108340622472155137
https://twitter.com/symonvegro/status/1108347708870397955
https://twitter.com/_tomhome/status/1108358596016910336
https://twitter.com/MattDob92/status/1108342711134965760
https://twitter.com/arcticblond1/status/1108348630304542720
https://twitter.com/rheath99/status/1108371113959149569
https://twitter.com/EddyCrowe/status/1108344265585893376
https://twitter.com/mabush1986/status/1108345140140216320

Very bad decision from the club. I understand that will may have said that he wants to leave no matter what but we should be trying to keep players like him. Great prospect but another odd decision by the management team

— liam miller (@liamisbeast12) March 20, 2019

Leicester are going through a tough season, and while they have been able to tie down Manu Tuilagi at Welford Road, many fans would have liked to see some of the next generation remain with the club. While Tommy Reffell is one player that has recently recommitted to the club, that may be at the expense of Evans, which provides both good and bad news.

However, Evans has struggled for game time with the Tigers this year, and a move to Harlequins may be the best thing for his career. England on the whole has had quite a dearth of talented openside flankers over the years, but Evans looks to be a member of the emerging cohort of talented sevens, and could thrive under the tutelage of Gustard.

While some fans can sometimes understand why a player would want to move away, this is one that the Leicester fans are rueing, and fearing that this could be another talent that got away from them.