Quins take on host of new signings
Harlequins today announced several new signings for next season – including Irish players Gavin Duffy, Andy Dunne, Ben Willis and England prop Mike Worsley.
Quins have also confirmed that Co Clare native Keith Wood is to retire from club rugby, while Perpignan-bound England star Dan Luger has rejected a new contract.
Worsley, capped during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship, will join Quins from Premiership rivals London Irish.
And Siua Taumalolo, a Tongan full-back/centre who has played in 26 Tests, has decided on a move to London from Welsh club Bridgend.
Quins’ other new arrivals are all from Ireland – Connacht centre Gavin Duffy, Leinster half-backs Andy Dunne and Ben Willis, plus Leinster utility back Simon Keogh.
Duffy, Dunne and Willis have agreed terms for two years, with Keogh securing a one-year deal.
Duffy, 21, has played for Ireland A on five occasions, while 26-year-old Willis also has Ireland A representative honours and Dunne is a previous member of the Ireland Under-21 side.
In addition, Quins have moved quickly to renew the contracts of several players, with hooker Tani Fuga clinching a three-year deal, while front-row forwards Jon Dawson, Ceri Jones and James Hayter have secured two-year contracts.
Centre Mel Deane, recruited last season from Sale Sharks, has agreed fresh two-year terms, and lock Bill Davison and flanker Pat Sanderson today both signed on for another year.
Ireland hooker Wood though, whose season was ruined by injuries, will be leaving Quins, and could now return to Ireland. His departure has been expected for several weeks.
Four players – Matt Powell, David Slemen, Alex Mockford and Darryl Griffin - have been released, while Luger, his fellow wing Ben Gollings and prop Bruce Starr have turned down new contract offers.
Luger will play for Heineken Cup finalists Perpignan next term, and England Sevens star Gollings looks certain to be courted by several Premiership clubs.
Gollings’ team-mate, lock Alex Codling, could also move elsewhere in the Premiership after requesting a release from his existing contract.
Full-back Nathan Williams, meanwhile, has decided for personal reasons not to take up the option of a year’s contract extension.
Quins, who entertain Leicester in the Premiership wildcard play-offs tomorrow night, say they expect to announce one further signing during the summer.
