2014/15 has not been a good season for Harlequins. After a playoff semi final loss to Saracens in 2013/14, Harlequins would have hoped to have kicked on and mounted title challenges both at home and on the European stage. However Harlequins have regressed this term. Inconsistency coupled with injuries to key players such as Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Ben Botica led to an eighth place finish, a long way off where Head Coach Connor O’Shea would have envisaged at the start of the season. Early exits from the both the European Champions Cup and the LV Cup did little to distract the side from their indifferent form in the Premiership. The season’s results leave Harlequins to compete in the European Challenge Cup rather than the more prestigious European Champions Cup in 2015/16.
Harlequins New Signings Signal Intent
With several players leaving The Stoop this summer, Ugo Monye and Tom Williams will both retire and six other players including, Paul Doran-Jones and George Robson, will be moving on to new clubs. Harlequins however have signalled their intent to get back to challenging the top of the Premiership announcing several big name signings for 2015/16.
Wales Duo Adam Jones and Jamie Roberts will both join Harlequins next year bringing a mix of both quality and experience. Both former British Lions, Jones will join up with the team for the start of the season with Roberts joining up after participating in the Rugby World Cup with Wales. Jones international retirement will be a huge benefit to Harlequins giving them cover at the start of the season, as the Premiership kicks off during the World Cup knockout stages when the team could be missing several key players with six selected in England’s initial training squad including Prop and club Captain Joe Marler.
Fly Half Tim Swiel will return to Harlequins after a successful four month spell this season where he acted as injury cover to Ben Botica. 75 points in 10 appearances was enough to convince Harlequins to bring Swiel back on a permanent deal for next season, and at still only 21 years of age he has plenty of potential to continue to improve. Also joining from Super Rugby will be Samoan international centre Winston Stanley, who joins from Highlanders and Australian international lock James Horwill from Queensland Reds, Horwill will join up with Harlequins after the Rugby World Cup.
Winger Tim Visser and Prop Owen Evans join from Pro 12 sides Edinburgh and Newport Gwent Dragons respectively. Visser, who has seven tries in 18 caps for Scotland, will add depth to Harlequins wing options after the retirements of Ugo Monye and Tom Williams, and departure of Asaeli Tikoirotuma to London Irish. Evans, who has represented Wales at Under 20 level, will join Harlequins after 62 appearances for Dragons.
Harlequins have a good mix of signings for the new season with some experienced internationals joining the team. In what will be a challenging season for all clubs due to the extended international period that comes with a World Cup, Harlequins have brought in a mix of players, some that can contribute straight away and others that will provide a boost to the team after the showpiece international tournament.
Veteran campaigners such as Jones, Roberts and Horwill will be vital as Harlequins ambitions will be to push for a playoff place and return to European Champions Cup action in 2016/17. With the new recruits adding a mix of quality and experience to an already talent side, Connor O’Shea will be looking for a much improved season in 2015/16 with a return to Europe’s premier competition the bare minimum that will be acceptable.
Main Photo
