DIRECTOR OF RUGBY: Dean Richards
HEAD COACH: Andy Friend
ASSISTANT COACH: John Kingston
CAPTAIN: Paul Volley
Advertisement
GROUND CAPACITY: Twickenham Stoop, 12,700
LAST SEASON: National League first division: Winners Powergen National Trophy: Winners
CLUB WEBSITE: www.quins.co.uk
FANS’ WEBSITES: www.quinssa.org.uk www.comeallwithin.co.uk
PHONE NUMBER: 020 8410 6000
QUINS ARE BACK AT THE TOP, BUT FOR HOW LONG?
Are Harlequins back in their “natural” home?
History says yes but the present generation have to prove it. They were relegated in 2005 because of early-season inconsistency and they have to make their mark early. With their small squad, they must pray for no significant injuries.
What are their advantages?
A surging tide of success in the lower division last season plus the strong sense of a club still moving forward off the field, more ground development, sustained support and strong community ethic.
Where could it go wrong?
A hard core must develop around Paul Volley, the captain, and Andrew Mehrtens, above, at fly half. If those personalities don’t emerge then Harlequins will struggle to make their mark.
Advertisement
How’s the summer gone?
Stuart Abbott is the “big name” on the recruitment front, with Danny Care a scrum half of great potential. Quins took themselves off to France for two games before winding up against the Ospreys and London Welsh but it will still be a nervous moment when they trot out at their old home, Twickenham, for the first match.
Where will they finish?
Hard to see Harlequins much higher than tenth. Whatever their past, they must simply see survival as the main aim.
SQUAD
Advertisement
BACKS: S Abbott (nationality: Eng), C Amesbury (Eng), M Brown (Eng), D Care (Eng), M Deane (Ire), G Duffy (Ire), G Harder (Sam), A Jarvis (Eng), S Jewell (Eng), S Keogh (Ire), H Luscombe (Wales), T Masson (Eng), A Mehrtens (NZ), U Monye (Eng), S So’oialo (Sam), D Strettle (Eng), A Thompstone (Eng), J Turner-Hall (Eng), T Williams (Eng).
FORWARDS: P Burgess (Eng), P Cook (Eng), A Croall (Eng), N Easter (Eng), J Evans (Eng), T Fuga (Sam), T Guest (Eng), C Hala’ufia (Sam), J Hayter (Eng), J Inglis (Eng), C Jones (Wales), O Kohn (Eng), M Lambert (Eng), S Miall (Eng), D Millard (Eng), R Nebbett (Eng), J Richards (Eng), C Robshaw (Eng), G Robson (Eng), A Rogers (Eng), M Ross (Scot), L Sherriff (Eng), W Skinner (Eng), N Spanghero (Fr), P Volley (Eng), A Vos (SA), L Ward (Eng).
ONE TO WATCH
MIKE BROWN
England Under-21 full back set to break out of the academy ranks and into the big time
Advertisement
FIXTURES
September
2 London Irish (a, Twickenham)
9 Gloucester (h)
17 London Wasps (a)
23 Leicester (h)
October
1 Llanelli Scarlets (a)
7 Sale Sharks (h)
15 Bristol (a)
20 Connacht (a)
28 Montpellier (h)
November
4 Northampton (h)
10 Newcastle Falcons (a)
17 Worcester (h)
24 Sale Sharks (a)
December
1 Newcastle Falcons (a)
9 Bath (h)
16 Bath (a)
22 Saracens (h)
27 Worcester (a)
January
1 Newcastle Falcons (h)
6 Bath (h)
12/13/14 Montpellier (a)
19/20/21 Connacht (h)
27 Bath (a)
February
17 Northampton (a)
24 Bristol (h)
March
3 Leicester (a)
10 London Wasps (h)
17 Gloucester (a)
April
7 London Irish (h)
15 Saracens (a)
28 Sale Sharks (h)
KEY
Premiership
EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup
European Challenge Cup