Known as the entertainers of English rugby, the Quins will face the season without two key figures: Andre Esterhuizen, their primary ball carrier, and Will Collier, a cornerstone of their scrum. Despite these losses, there is a sense of optimism at The Stoop, thanks to a core group of exciting young players and the arrival of Australian Jason Gilmore as the new defence coach. The big question for Harlequins is whether they can shore up their defence and return to the top of the league, or whether they will suffer another under-achieving season.
Key Players:
Marcus Smith remains the heartbeat of Harlequins' high-octane game plan. As the team’s MVP, Smith’s creativity and flair are essential to their attacking strategy. His role in executing Nick Evans' attacking philosophy—'LQB' or Lightning Quick Ball—is pivotal. This style relies on rapid ball movement and swift decision-making, areas where Smith's skills truly shine. His ability to unlock defences and orchestrate play from fly-half will be crucial as Harlequins look to maintain their reputation for thrilling rugby.
Vice-Captain Alex Dombrandt, the powerful No. 8, is expected to lead from the front. His physical presence and ability to break through defensive lines are central to Quins' attacking play. Dombrandt’s ball-carrying strength and offloading ability will help drive the team forward, particularly in the absence of some key players early in the season. What often goes unseen in Dombrandt's game, however, is his defensive ability, in particular in the breakdown where he topped the charts with 21 turnovers won. His partnership with powerhouse England flanker Chandler Cunningham-South and turnover king Will Evans will grow under the tutelage of Defence Coach Jason Gilmore.
Impact Signings:
Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones, both renowned British and Irish Lions and Wales internationals, are set to bring a wealth of experience and skill to Harlequins. With Cadan Murley and Joe Marler injured for the start of the season, the Welsh pair will bring much-needed experience and depth to this Harlequins squad. Halfpenny's renowned kicking accuracy and defensive solidity will bolster the backline, while Jones’ scrummaging prowess and dynamic play around the park will add significant depth to the front row.
Titi Lamositele, another key signing, joins in place of veteran Harlequins legend, Will Collier, who has left South London for Southern France at Castres. Former Saracens prop Lamositele is unique in his ability to play across both sides of the scrum and will enhance the pack's strength and stability. The American international prop arrives with a reputation for solid scrummaging and mobility, crucial for providing a strong foundation for the Quins' high-speed game.
Potential Weakness:
One of the significant challenges for Harlequins this season will be addressing their defensive frailties. Last season, they conceded 70 tries, a statistic that highlighted the need for improvement in this area. It certainly won't have helped to lose Defence Coach Jerry Flannery to the Springboks mid-season, but the question for the Quins management is how much they want to tighten their game and focus on defence or whether they want to double-down on their attacking DNA. Either way, the addition of Australian coach, Jason Gilmore to lead their defence this season will bring much-needed clarity in what has often looked like a disjointed defensive line.
Ones to Watch:
Lennox Anyanwu is a player to watch this season. The young centre has shown promise with his ability to break the line and provide a solid defensive presence. With Andre 'The Giant' Esterhuizen leaving the Stoop to return to South Africa, Anyanwu will be battling the likes of Luke Northmore and Bryn Bradley to lock down the No.12 jersey this season. Who knows, with England's lack of depth at Inside Centre, it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility to see a Smith-Anyanwu combo for club and country this season.
The RIL Take:
The entertainers of English rugby will face their first season since 2020 without their primary ball carrier, Andre ‘The Giant’ Esterhuizen. They will also have to deal without club legend Will Collier locking down the scrum. But they have a very exciting core group of young players and with Australian, Jason Gilmore, coming in as defence coach, if they can combine their lightning-quick ball movement with a more solid defence, they have the potential to be a formidable force in the Premiership. Director of Rugby Billy Millard, and his formidable coaching team of Head Coach Danny Wilson, Attack Coach Nick Evans, Scrum Coach Adam Jones and new Defence Coach Jason Gilmore, will be quietly confident ahead of the new season.
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