Can Danny Wilson's livewires turn excitement into trophies this term?
Our Harlequins Gallagher Premiership preview assesses the state of play at The Stoop as the well-supported and entertaining Quins look to mount another serious title challenge.
Discussion points
Related: Exeter Chiefs Gallagher Premiership preview
Quins have sold out their season tickets for a third year running, their swashbuckling rugby wooing fans in big numbers. Their 2023-24 European exploits – which included thrilling wins at Racing and Bordeaux – made a second successive sixth-place league finish harder to swallow; a sense of underachievement hangs in the Stoop air.
Into the mix come two veteran Welsh Lions in Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones as well as Argentina’s sevens star Rodrigo Isgró, though tighthead Titi Lamositele is the most telling signing, tasked as he is with replacing club legend Will Collier. Andre Esterhuizen, the fabulously assertive ball-carrier in midfield, will also be much missed.
Quins leaked the most league tries last season apart from the bottom two, so the arrival of Jason Gilmore as defence coach is seminal. He’s had head coach roles with Australia’s U20 and A teams, along with defence roles at the Waratahs and Reds. Some things never change, however: Danny Care is entering his 19th season at the club.
At 37, scrum-half Danny Care is an ever-present at Quins (Getty Images)
Key player
Can one man be too important? At times you feel Quins are waiting for Marcus Smith to conjure some match-winning magic. Certainly they’re a very different side without him. “Not again!” spluttered Care after one of Smith’s many match awards.
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One to watch
Joe Marler, 34, is handing the loosehead baton to Fin Baxter, 22, at club and Test level. So far he has passed every challenge. “Don’t be fooled by the baby face, there’s a proper Test player behind that façade,” said Marler after Baxter’s Test debut in NZ.
Coaches’ box
Besides Gilmore, there’s a new Head of Medical in Brian O’Leary, who spent nine years as Head of Performance at London Irish. Danny Wilson (head), Nick Evans (attack) and Adam Jones (scrum & transition) are the linchpins.
Prediction
If they can tighten up defensively without losing that ‘swing the bat’ brio, they’ll be major contenders.
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