Two international coaches linked with Harlequins DoR job - reports

Two international standard coaches have been linked with the vacant Harlequins Director of Rugby role – according to reports.

Harlequins parted ways with Director Rugby John Kingston following a relatively poor season for the West London club.

Quins have assembled a panel that will oversee the worldwide search for a replacement for Kingston although the emphasis may switch to appointing a high profile head coach as the focal point for a new regime with a director of rugby then tasked with handling player contracts and negotiations with agents along with other off the field matters.

The BBC are reporting that England coach Paul Gustard and Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards are being linked with the position.

42-year-old Gustard was part of a number of successful England campaigns as defence coach under Eddie Jones, having taken up his current role in 2016. The BBC are reporting that both he and Edwards have interviewed for the position with Harlequins.

Edwards – on the other hand – has been a long-serving member of Warren Gatland’s Wales set-up since 2008. With Gatland leaving the role Edwards defensive knowledge will be in high demand and a role as a headcoach would be a logical progression for the former Rugby League stalwart.

New Zealander Scott Robertson of the Crusaders had previously been touted as leading candidate for the job.

The process of finding a new DoR is said to be ongoing, with a number of other high level coaches said to be in the mix, including Ben Ryan.

Kingston was promoted from Head Coach to Director of Rugby in April 2016, leading the Club to its highest Premiership finish in three years and securing European Champions Cup rugby for the first time in several years.

Harlequins are facing a massive bill should they decide to offload a number of coaches after a troubled Aviva Premiership season. The West London club are potentially facing a £2.5 million bill in payouts.

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Top of that bill is Kingston. He is reported to be owed a £750,000 severance deal after his time came to an end just months after his contract with the club as Director of Rugby was extended.

Kingston was tasked with driving the team into the top four and ensuring Champions Cup rugby and has paid the price of failure to achieve both targets.