REPORTS | Harlequins move in on Jack Clifford replacement
Transfer RumoursMonday, 24 August 2020 at 08:59
Harlequins are hoping to sign a a replacement back-rower after England international Jack Clifford confirmed his shock retirement last week,
The Australian forward won the last of his 10 senior caps against Italy in 2017 — he made his debut during England’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign in 2016.
However, a dislocated shoulder he suffered in what was his 100th appearance for Harlequins last September has failed to heal entirely even after two operations.
Harlequins have now made a move for South African powerhouse Jacques du Plessis from Montpellier.
The Rugby Paper reported on Sunday that Quins and Wasps were talking to the 27-year-old who can also play back row – with a view to him joining as early as this week.
According to RUC: sources, another player that Quins were looking at England flanker Mark Wilson, who they were keen to take on a short-term loan.
However, following a succession of injuries, Newcastle Falcons want him to take it easy ahead of the men in blacks Gallagher Premiership return next season.
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LIST | 5 pairs of stars you didn’t know played together as kids
1. Steff Evans & Josh Adams
When the pair lined up as fresh-faced 11-year-olds in the same schoolboys team at the Millennium Stadium, only in their wildest of dreams could they have imagined they would be back there playing for their country in a Six Nations match in front of 74,500 fans.
Yet that childhood fantasy became reality in 2018 when the former classmates reunited in Warren Gatland’s new-look side that thumped Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff. Evans currently turns out for Scarlets while Adams joined Cardiff Blues from Worcester in 2019.
Steff Evans and Josh Adams (front row) during their school days
2. Taulupe Faletau, Billy Vunipola & Mako Vunipola
The cousins started their impressive rugby careers alongside each other when playing for New Panteg RFC. They've all gone onto become global superstars with the Vunipola's becoming stalwarts for England and Faletau representing Wales.
Taulupe Faletau (back-row, centre left) with Mako Vunipola (back-row, right) and Billy Vunipola (back-row, left) in the East Wales Schools Under-11s in 2002
3. Joe Marler & Billy Twelvetrees
Gloucester star Twelvetrees spent his youth at a succession of Sussex rugby clubs, including a spell at Haywards Heath in the same side as Harlequins prop Joe Marler.
The pair would eventually play for England together in 2013 with Twelvetrees since accumulating 22 caps and Marler 66. They've also both played for the British & Irish Lions.
4. Eddie Redmayne & Prince William
It turns out the pair attended Eton College together as boys and were actually closer than you might expect, as the Fantastic Beasts star revealed they both were on the school’s rugby team.
Redmayne elaborated, ‘Any school you played – all they wanted to do was tackle Prince William so that they could say, ‘I tackled Prince William.’’
5. George Ford & Owen Farrell
The duo formed a feared partnership for St George's School, Harpenden. Both have gone onto become global superstars for club and country.
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