BREAKING: Harlequins set to sign four, including two Wales internationals
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 March 2023 at 20:28
Harlequins are set to sign Wales prop Dillon Lewis and fly-half Jarrod Evans.
According to the Mail Online, Quins boss Tabai Matson is keen to take advantage of the current financial uncertainty in Welsh rugby by moving for the country’s international stars.
Both stars are now very likely to arrive at Twickenham Stoop ahead of next season, although both deals are yet to be officially confirmed.
Lewis had previously been of interest to Gloucester and Exeter.
The pair will be Quins third and fourth signings of the season with Joe Launchbury and Will Porter already signing with the club.
Commenting on his return to the Club, Launchbury said: “I'm glad to sign on with Quins. I have fond memories of my time here in the academy. I grew up playing with and against a number of the first team squad, so it has a somewhat familiar feel to come back to Harlequins."
“I’m looking forward to my time in Japan for the rest of this season, but am very excited for the new start with Harlequins over the summer.
“Quins have some of the richest history in the game and it’s been fascinating to hear how this group have tapped back into that Harlequins DNA of old over the last few seasons.
“With the style of rugby this squad plays, I know it will be an exciting setup to be a part of.”
HARLEQUINS CONFIRM FOUR HUGE DEPARTURES
#1. Tommy Allan to Perpignan
After joining the South West London club at the start of the 2021/22 campaign, Allan will return to Perpignan for a second stint at the club.
The club said in a statement: "Harlequins wish Allan the best in the next step in his rugby career and looks forward to finishing the current campaign with the Italian international in the Famous Quarters."
#2. Josh Bassett to Leicester
The 30-year-old will join Tigers from Harlequins, who he joined midway through the current campaign from Wasps.
Bassett played his junior rugby for Ampthill before moving to Bedford Blues ahead of the 2011/12 campaign. The outside-back was selected for England Under-20s in 2012.
In 2013, he joined Wasps and made more than a century of appearances for the club before joining Harlequins in 2022.
Discussing the move to Leicester Tigers, Bassett said: “The club has done such a good job of building strong foundations in recent seasons and I am excited about being a part of the next steps, continuing to develop on that.”
“I want to continue developing, individually, and reach my potential. I see Leicester Tigers as the place to do that.
“Mattioli Woods Welford Road is a special place. You know it is going to be loud, the atmosphere is going to be electric and so the opportunity to be on the right side of that was a hard one to turn down.
“There are some amazing players at the club, who have done so well in recent years and are going to continue pushing on. Knowing I will be a part of that gives me energy and makes me excited.”
#3. Joe Marchant to Stade Francais
The 26-year-old, who has earned 14 caps in the past four years, heads to the Top 14 after nine years at The Stoop.
Marchant came through the Quins academy and has made 140 appearances since his debut in 2014.
He follows England team-mates Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds in opting to pause his international career in order to play overseas.
Commenting on his departure at the end of the season, Marchant said: “I am very proud and grateful to have been part of Harlequins for the last 10 years.
"I’ve made some amazing memories on and off the field and made great friends along the way. This club has been a home to me and will always have a place in my heart.
“The time has come for me to depart the Club and I am excited for my next challenge ahead. I will make the most of every moment for the rest of this season proudly wearing my Quins shirt.
“Thank you for all the support!”
#4. Wilco Louw to Bulls
The outstanding tighthead prop, who was part of the Quins squad that won the Premiership title in 2020/21, has opted to move to Pretoria next year.
The 28-year-old has become widely recognised as a top class front-row after consistently solid performances for the Premiership side since joining in 2020.
“The Vodacom Bulls play an exciting brand of rugby and they have great coaches, I am excited for the new challenge ahead. I am looking forward to running out in the jersey once more and to having the opportunity in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship,” he told the Bulls’ official website.
“It is exciting to be going back to South Africa and to be reunited with the Vodacom Bulls, I had an unbelievable time at Harlequins with great memories and hopefully we can make some great memories in Pretoria too.”
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