Harlequins 15/16 Thread

[yappysnap]

First topic message reminder :

Our squad (pinched from CAW):

HARLEQUINS Senior Squad

Name                DoB             Position        Contract
Rob Buchanan        (13/05/91)      Hooker          2015/16  
Joe Gray            (05/08/88)      Hooker          2015/16  
Dave Ward           (21/05/85)      Hooker          2015/16  

Will Collier        (05/05/91)      TH Prop         2017/18  
Adam Jones          (08/03/81)      TH prop         2015/16  
Matt Shields        (12/02/91)      TH Prop         2015/16    
Kyle Sinckler       (30/03/93)      TH Prop         2016/17    

Owen Evans          (19/02/89)      LH Prop      
Mark Lambert        (19/02/85)      LH Prop         2016/17    
Joe Marler          (07/07/90)      LH Prop         2015/16  

James Horwill       (29/05/85)      Lock            2017/18    
Charlie Matthews    (23/07/91)      Lock            2015/16    
George Merrick      (04/10/92)      Lock            2016/17    
Sam Twomey          (09/05/92)      Lock            2015/16  

Jack Clifford       (12/02/93)      Flanker/No. 8   2015/16    
Chris Robshaw       (04/06/86)      Flanker         2015/16    
Luke Wallace        (02/10/90)      Flanker         2016/17    

Nick Easter         (15/08/78)      Number 8        2016/17    
Mathew Luamanu     (04/03/88)      Number 8        ?          
Netani Talei        (19/03/83)      Number 8        ?          

Danny Care          (02/01/87)      Scrum-half      2015/16    
Karl Dickson        (02/08/82)      Scrum-half      2016/17    
Tito Tebaldi        (23/09/87)      Scrum-half      ?        

Ben Botica          (07/10/89)      Fly-half        2016/17    
Nick Evans          (14/08/80)      Fly-half        2015/16    
Tim Swiel           (04/06/93)      Fly-half        ?    

Matt Hopper         (29/01/85)      Centre          2016/17    
George Lowe         (22/10/89)      Centre          2015/16  
Jamie Roberts       (08/11/86)      Centre          ?        
Harry Sloan         (16/06/94)      Centre          2015/16  
Winston Stanley     (11/02/89)      Centre          ?      

Ollie Lindsay-Hague (08/10/90)      Wing/Fullback   ?          
Tim Visser          (29/05/87)      Winger          ?          
harlie Walker      (23/12/92)      Winger          2016/17    
Marland Yarde       (20/04/92)      Winger          2015/16    

Mike Brown          (04/09/85)      Fullback        2015/16  
Ross Chisholm       (19/10/90)      Fullback        2016/17    


A very strong looking squad, with a lot of internationals and experience to help the youngsters coming in. Fingers crossed but this season may be a good one for the men in quarters.

COYQ's!

[propdavid_london]

Yes sorry, thanks LT.
I am sure that Easter and Evans will gradually fill player coach roles.....if they don't already perform that function. Not sure if either could step into that DOR role though.......requires a bit more experience.

Would like Pat Lamb from Connaught or someone like that.

[LondonTiger]

Mike Catt Axed England coach Mike Catt could make summer return with Six Nations rivals Italy

[sad_gimp]

So....Will Greenwood coaching the BaaBaas....

[propdavid_london]

Is it the start of a gradual move to coaching for Greenwood as the punditry winds down!
It would be good to get him on-board at Quins perhaps (in an assistants role).

[propdavid_london]

Seen Robbie Deans is head coach for the BaaBaas - could we tempt him to Quins?

[yappysnap]

I would take Deans in a flash. Greenwood was certainly a very smart player, let's see how he gets on with the baabaas first though

[sad_gimp]

Charlie Mulchrone signed from Warriors.

I assume it's Tebaldi going to make room, he's been awful for us.

[propdavid_london]

Don't know much about him.
Mid_gen I suspect you are right, there is nothing in the article mentioning him working alongside Tito -
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12546/10230992/harlequins-add-to-scrum-half-competition-by-signing-charlie-mulchrone

How useful is he? Has he had much game time since Houghard arrived?

[propdavid_london]

Quins really should be looking for a decent prospect/back up 10.
A replacement for 3rd choice no.9 is useful, as they may also come into 2nd choice as Dickson probably doesn't have much longer to play.
Another TH if Adam J is off.
I would have said another lock - But Merrick and Twomey are looking quite good with Horwell. Charlie Matthews hasn't kicked on so can leave if he wants.
I guess we need back-up for Easter. Clifford is the current, and Loumanu plays 8. Does anyone know the situation with Nantai Talei? Wasn't he contracted to us before injury in WC? Is he still under contract?

[yappysnap]

Marler gets a two game ban and 20k fine, bit annoyed by the ban but it's expected to be honest. Could have been worse.

Shouldn't impact Quins too much and tbh he could do with the rest.

[propdavid_london]

That's a lot of money (for a rugby player).
Agree though that it could be much worse than that though.

[yappysnap]

Apparently it's Approx the same amount as he'd make from 1 6Ns game.

[propdavid_london]

20k from 1 6N game! RFU is paying their players well! I had no idea it was that much.

[propdavid_london]

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/10240943/harlequins-director-of-rugby-conor-oshea-plays-down-lyn-jones-link

More speculation on the new DOR interviews.

[yappysnap]

Please not Lyn Jones, based on the dragons fans response he wouldn't be good.

Although that article does make it sound like we don't have long to wait. Come on Robbie Deans!!

[propdavid_london]

He didn't make much of an impact at Lon Welsh!

[sad_gimp]

Dear lord, had a nose on CAW to see if there was any noise about DoR.....*shakes head*

I'm looking forward to the Challenge Cup games and the slim possibility of a top 6 finish. It's just a game, jeeeeez.

[propdavid_london]

I have just looked on there too - rumors of Kingston taking over!

[yappysnap]

Yea CAW is really good for giving me perspective!

Interesting that when Mapletoft was on BT on Sunday, Doyle asked him was it likely that the DoR could be an internal recruit? Tofty then replied something along the lines of he's not a million miles off that...

So yes Kingston could be the new DoR, or Tofty, or Diprose.

For what it's worth I'd like a new influence in the coaching team, if that's as a support coach then so be it.

[yappysnap]

Looks like we may be getting a coaching team of/including:

DoR - Kingston
Forwards? Rowntree
Coach - Nick Easter
Coach - Nick Evans

I don't know if that's in place of current coaches or on top but I'd the latter then that's potentially make a 6 man team with Diprose and Mapletoft there as well.

Like the idea of the two NE's being player coaches though. They have a very good current knowledge base and know the Quins way, but know about winning too.

[sad_gimp]

I was back in London before xmas visiting a friend, he had a match at Wimbledon so I tagged along. Wimbledon 1st XV were playing on the next pitch with both the NE's coaching.

One of them had a lot of colourful language for the ref, guess which, haha

[yappysnap]

Haha

Somehow that doesn't surprise me!

But were they actually any good????

[ChequeredJersey]

France. French team. Europe. Nev back. Big game, which is where Danny and Mike tend to get some form back. What should be a full first team unless Joe is banned (which seems probable, silly man). We know we can beat Montpellier - have done it once this season already. They can beat us too, but these matches as underdogs in France seem to be a specialty.


Obviously, I hope we do as well as we can in the AP, and we REALLY ought to be winning these next couple of matches - need to go into Exeter match, with their own form and confidence low, as a matter of proving what we CAN do when the mentality is there. Top 4 looks very very unlikely, unless Tigers lose to Worcester and other results go our way, but it is still on, and I think unless we revert to recent suckiness we should finish top 6 even now.

However, the aim has to be to win silverware and automatically make the top tier competition in Europe next season. And this is a scene that has seen us win this Cup, OUR Cup, before.

COYQ!

[quinsforever]

was at the grenoble match. comfortable win for quins in shocking weather.

i think quins can do it. is a big ask, as montepellier are massive, with massive saffas and currently 2nd in top14. but with key players from the 6N needing to perform in big games to impress Eddie Jones, and nick evans coming back in, i am a believer.

go quins.

[mikey_dragon]

As long as you have learnt from the Sarries game and have watched footage of our SF against them, Montpellier are in your back pocket. Jake doesn't have enough South Africans to keep playing his way towards silverware IMO.

[George Carlin]

Quins will never get a better chance to take home this silverware.

They are better in almost every respect than Pelly. I wouldn't fear the opposition - just play your normal game in your current form. That really should be good enough.

[sad_gimp]

Well, we stomped them in the pool stages already, although they didn't put out a great team IIRC. Hope it doesn't invoke any complacency.

[propdavid_london]

Quins shouldn't be complacent about any games this season....they just haven't been good enough at times.
Traditionally Quins do struggle against teams with a more physical approach. Although I do feel more confident knowing that NEv is back in the frame......Botica has struggled at times being number 1 (10), His face was a picture on Friday night when NEv scored with nearly his first touch.

[LondonTiger]

Well, we stomped them in the pool stages already, although they didn't put out a great team IIRC. Hope it doesn't invoke any complacency.

In round 1 yes, in Round 6 they mega stomped you.

[yappysnap]

I fear we may see a repeat of that Racing/Tigers game tbh.

Quins will try to play rugby, but get bullied off the park by a limited, but super physical SA side.

[ChequeredJersey]

We (rightly) won't have Marler which is a blow: He was immense vs Grenoble

[yappysnap]

Yea a big blow. He needs to do his time then come back and keep his head down, I also think he needs a bit more help on the field.

Was it Easter who had a word in his ear when he was being a Muppet earlier in the season? He needs similar to that when he's being targeted for stuff off the ball, like that happened on Friday, but more supporting.

[propdavid_london]

Confirmed - Rowntree to join coaching staff
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/10259895/graham-rowntree-to-join-harlequins-new-look-management-team

[RiscaGame]

No Lyn Jones then? I wonder if you will still sign his boy?

[ChequeredJersey]

2 week ban only! I am surprised...

[propdavid_london]

Yeah, I thought there would be more! Obviously considered to be low end of seriousness.
Hopefully Rowntree will be able to reign him in a bit.

[formerly known as Sam]

I fear we may see a repeat of that Racing/Tigers game tbh.

Quins will try to play rugby, but get bullied off the park by a limited, but super physical SA side.

Tigers lost that game because of some ill discipline. As long as your guys can avoid giving easy three pointers away you can tire the big pack and make them pay in the second half.

Rowntree is a good acquisition on the coaching front. The Lions pack looked good with him running it.

[quinsforever]

happy with kingston personally. and rowntree. and easter as defence player/coach. always better to do chance gradually IMO.

[yappysnap]

Agreed with everything here, happy with the coaches, good that we've got an outside influence, with a massive amount of experience, and that we have those internal appointments that know the Quins way.

Evolution not revolution

[quinsforever]

but i'm happiest most of all the NEv is back...

[yappysnap]

Yes and looking fit and properly healed!

[ChequeredJersey]

Is he still playing next year?

[yappysnap]

Yes there was no mention of him coaching so I assume he's got at least 1 more season

[propdavid_london]

No mention of Diprose!

[lostinwales]

No mention of Diprose!

At the bottom of the beeb article

In a further change to the backroom set-up, Tony Diprose will become academy and global development director.

[propdavid_london]

Ah, didn't get that far....cheers.
While i'm not that excited by Kingston being DOR ill give it time and lets see.
Players should be happy with the continuity and hopefully we can see them with a bit more confidence and accuracy against LI.

[yappysnap]

Diprose is skills coach (which is questionable at times) and now will deal with Quins academies and investments globally, specifically the USA and Dubai

[sad_gimp]

Watched the highlights, some nice tries. Shame COS's departure threw a bit of a spanner in our season, but all in all I think we've done OK.

We struggle for leadership when NEv is injured and our England contingent are away. If we can get ERC qualification I'll be happy, and another Challenge Cup would be nice Been a good season for bringing players on, Walker, Twomey, Collier, Sinckler, Sloan, Stanley all progressing nicely, Lowe back to form and fitness. Scrum has been much improved.

Do we have any departures? What deal are Roberts, Visser, Horwill on?

Going to be interesting to see how next week's games pan out. We have the toughest oppo of us, Saints and Sale, but we're the only side playing at home. Saints won't have it easy away at Gloucester, and Sale's away form isn't great.

[yappysnap]

No departures of note tbh

I think we're losing Tibaldi, B Roberts will probably go as he was only injury cover, and we lost a scrum half too.

Dickson may retire, I remember there was talk of it.

I think we need a few signings really to keep the squad going forward.

Other wise 3 bigger things to work on over the off season:
1. Restart drills, stop Wee weeing about in our 22
2. Defence, when the ball goes wide we seem terrible at numbering up
3. Managing leads, too often this season we've wasted good leads by switching off

[ChequeredJersey]

Departures were confirmed: we are losing the injury cover players (Egerton and Robinson), Tibaldi, Luke White from academy and Botica!

Jackson covers Botica assuming Nev is sticking with us (he still looks really really good but more and more injury prone. At least when he played this season he was WAY more consistent than last season and the one before, implying that maybe he needs more rest? I trust Jackson to start over Botica, so that's good), but maybe we are now light at 10 and definitely light at 9. Could do with another backrower too?

If Nemani is back, that helps the backrow a bit and I now think as long as Horwill is fit our front row is good but will struggle without him (an experienced player just to play part time for when he is absent would be great). We definitely, definitely need a 9, preferably a young one

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