Harlequins have struggled in this season Gallagher PREM, currently sitting in 9th with three wins from 12 games. Harlequins finished last season in 7th and haven’t won the title since the 2020-21 season, so the slide has been graudal. But, how can Harlequins save their season this season?
Injury issues
Firstly let’s look at what’s gone wrong this season. They have had their fair share of injuries, which is part and parcel of the game. However, their list is quite extensive. The latest injury report on the Quins website, dated 15th April, has a total of 27 players (16 forwards and 11 Backs), including Joe Launchbury (Quad) and Fin Baxter (Foot). Longer term, Jordan Els (Achilles) isn’t due back until June, and Simon Kerrod (Ankle), Lucas Schmid (Ankle) and Stephan Lewies (Shoulder) won’t be back this season.
Most of the backs that are on the list are either short term or ongoing assessments. Sean Sharp (ACL), Ben Waghorn (Knee), Tyrone Green (Hamstring) and Cassius Cleaves (Back) are all out until the off season.
So with the returning players coming back, Quins will be able to field stronger teams.
Lack of points
The problems seem to be obvious when you look at the table. They have only won three games, beating Saracens, Newcastle Red Bulls and Bristol Bears. Some of their defeats have been massive as well. They lost to Exeter Chiefs without scoring (38-0), and in a four week period before the Six Nations, they lost by the following: 26 points to Bristol Bears, 26 points to Sale Sharks, 45 points to Northampton Saints and 27 points to Leicester Tigers. They have conceded a total of 391 points and only scored 233.
Quins have only scored 31 tries, only Newcastle Red Bulls have scored fewer tries. The team above them in the league, Gloucester, has scored eight more than Quins. So this is a huge problem for the Quins. Full Back/Winger Tyrone Green is the leading try scorer with 5, but is out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury. Flanker Will Evans, No 8 Alex Dombrandt and Fly Half Marcus Smith all have 4 each. This is something that will need to improve quickly.
New signings
Harlequins are signed two new players, but they can not start until next season. George Furbank signed with Quins from Northampton Saints and South African tighthead Ruan ‘Sampie’ Swiegers from Airlink Pumas, and will join up with Quins after their Currie Cup 2026 campaign. Both players have international experience, as well as playing experience which will aid Quins recovery to be one of the top sides in England and Europe.
So what can Quins do?
Well, it may seem an easy fix – score more points than the opposition. But losing is a habit, as much as winning is. Once sides start losing, and Quins lost six in a row before narrowingly beating Bristol Bears (18-14) in round 12, it’s difficult to break that habit. Sometimes it can be a little bit of luck going their way is all it takes to change a sides fortunes, but something needs to change for Quins and quickly.
The bottom side (Newcastle Red Bulls currently) will play in a two-legged ‘all-or-nothing’ play-off match with the Championship’s top side, subject to Premiership Rugby eligibility criteria being met by the Championship side. The gap to Quins is eight points at the moment, so Quins really need to start picking up wins, or they could face relegation, which would not be good for the club.
