The last couple of seasons have been disappointing for the 2011 champions who slid to 8th last season. Defeats to Newcastle, Sale and being hammered by Saracens are not results that Harlequins fans would expect. Their failure to seriously challenge for a Champions Cup place will also have worried Conor O’Shea. Perhaps the continued absence of their England cohort- Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown, Danny Care and Joe Marler- can offer some explanation of their underperformance.
Season Preview: 2015-16 Harlequins
Players In
• James Horwill (Lock, Queensland Reds)
• Matt Shields (Wing/Fullback, Darlington Mowden Park)
• Adam Jones (Prop, Cardiff Blues)
• Tim Visser (Wing, Edinburgh Rugby)
• Owen Evans (Prop, Newport Gwent Dragons)
• Tim Swiel (Fly-half, Sharks)
• Winston Stanley (Centre, Highlanders)
• Jamie Roberts (Centre, Racing 92)
• Mat Luamanu (Lock/Back Row, Benetton Treviso)
Despite not making as many signings as other clubs, Harlequins have recruited wisely and will be welcoming star names such as James Horwill and Jamie Roberts to the Stoop. The former Wallaby captain Horwill effectively replaces Olly Kohn whose bulk Quins have never quite replaced. This greatly weakened their scrum and so the arrival of Horwill should rectify this somewhat. Another man who should bolster the scrum is Welsh legend Adam Jones. Known for his scrummaging prowess, Jones will help provide a platform for new backs Jamie Roberts and Tim Visser to showcase their ball carrying and finishing skills respectively.
Players Out
• Paul Doran-Jones (Prop, Gloucester)
• Joe Trayfoot (Flanker, London Irish)
• George Robson (Lock, Oyonnax)
• Ugo Monye (Wing, retired)
• Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Wing/Centre, London Irish)
• Darryl Marfo (Prop, London Welsh)
• Tom Williams (Wing, retired)
• Tom Casson (Centre, Yorkshire Carnegie)
• Jordan Burns (Scrum Half,Bedford Blues)
• Jordan Turner-Hall (Centre, retired)
Quins have lost three stalwarts; George Robson, Ugo Monye and Jordan Turner-Hall who have made over 500 appearances between them. They will certainly be missed at the Stoop after contributing greatly to their famous Premiership win. Fijian winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma has also left, arguably without reaching his full potential.
Hopes and Fears for next season
A repeat of last season would be classed as a disappointment for Harlequins. They will hope to create a fortress at the Stoop once again to give them the confidence that they can beat bigger teams such as Saracens.
Quins will hope to mount a proper challenge for Champions Cup qualification and should aim to progress to at least the quarter finals in the Challenge Cup.
Key Player
With his ability to get over the gainline, Jamie Roberts is a clever signing by Harlequins. He can put Quins on the front foot, enabling the likes of Marland Yarde- who struggled last season- to cut loose. Roberts has the talent to become a talismanic figure for Quins as he is for Wales and become a member of Harlequins folklore.
LWOS Prediction
Despite recruiting well, other clubs also have and they may end up as part of a congested mid-table.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Nick Easter of Harlequins looks on during the Aviva Premiership match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at the Twickenham Stoop on January 10, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)
