It seems so far away, yet the new season is slowly creeping up on us. More excitingly, new signings are being announced all over the country and it’s looking to be one of the most exhilarating years in the battle for victory. For those itching for the Premiership to start, it might be good to get to know your club’s new faces a little better.
After a somewhat disappointing start to the 2013/14 season, Harlequins fought back from mid-table to make it to the Premiership semi-finals. Ahead of the new season, Conor O’Shea has signed two fast-paced backs to add more flair to the squad, along with a few players from the academy who have signed senior contracts. Failing to clinch a place in the final two years in a row, Quins will be hoping that this year they can do one better and fight for a chance to regain their title from 2012.
Harlequins Signings
Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Age: 28
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 14st 5lbs
Position: Wing
Signing a two-year contract with Harlequins, Tikoirotuma moves from Waikato Chiefs in New Zealand where he has played since 2012, scoring 65 points in 45 appearances. The winger, who can also play at centre, was joint top try scorer at the end of the 2012 Super Rugby season, and went on to make his international debut in the November of the following year. Building on his impressive form, the quick-footed Fijian will certainly make his mark on the Premiership.
Marland Yarde
Age: 22
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 14st 13lbs
Position: Wing
As another of Quins biggest signings, Yarde is a try scoring machine. He came through the England age groups, scoring nine times at under-20’s including a hat-trick against Scotland in 2012. Progressing into the senior England team, the young winger then got two tries in his international debut versus Argentina in 2013, where he went on to play in all three tests during that tour. At club level, he was a try scorer in his debut for London Irish in 2010 and has gone on to rack up over 100 points for the Exiles. Injury meant that he had no part in the 2014 Six Nations, but returning to full fitness, his incredible pace and power will fit perfectly into Harlequins speedy back line.
The following player’s are staying at Harlequins on a senior contract after being part of the academy at The Stoop.
Jack Clifford
Age: 21
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 15st 7lbs
Position: Back Row
Even at the age of 21, Clifford possesses more experience than many of his counterparts after he captained both England under-18’s and 20’s teams, including the side that won the Junior World Cup in 2013. Furthermore, he featured in the England Sevens squad that traveled to the World Series in Japan and Hong Kong earlier this year. The back rower gained his first full cap for Harlequins in 2012 and has signed a senior contract after being on loan at Ealing and Esher in the past few years. There is no doubt that Clifford is a confident and key player on the field, and is one to watch for both club and country.
Sam Twomey
Age: 22
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 18st 1lb
Position: Lock
Twomey has previously been on loan at Ealing, before returning to Quins to appear 12 times during his academy career. The former England under-20’s lock featured in Sky Sports Top 10 Rising Stars, and was part of the LV= Cup winning team of the 2012/13 season.
Sam Stuart
Age: 22
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 13st 4lbs
Position: Centre
After achieving his first full cap in February of this year, centre Stuart has secured a senior deal that means he will stay at Quins until 2016. He has seven caps altogether, and will continue to improve his speed and ball-handling ability, as well as achieve precious game time. Talking about the news of Stuart and his fellow academy team-mates signing senior contracts, Quins academy manager Tony Diprose said:
“They have all played a vital role for the club already in their careers. I have no doubt they will continue to play their part in keeping Quins at the top of the domestic and European game.”
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter- @mollyraemaria. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Main Photo:
