Harlequins ‘in danger of losing’ coaching trio who led club to Premiership title

Premiership champions Harlequins could be on course to part ways with the coaching team who helped guide them to last season's title.

Paul Gustard left The Stoop by mutual consent in January 2021 when they sat seventh in the Premiership, only for the coaching group of Nick Evans, Adam Jones and Jerry Flannery to rescue the campaign in style.

The former Test trio shared duties as Quins came back to beat Exeter Chiefs in June's Premiership final without a recognised head coach, though Tabai Matson has since taken over that role.

But the Daily Mail has reported the three coaches crucial to that triumph are yet to be offered new contracts and are at risk of leaving when their current deals expire in June 2022.

Former Harlequins players Evans and Jones head up the attack and forwards, respectively, while Flannery has led the scrum and line-out since joining from Munster last year.

England sensation Marcus Smith was being linked with a departure before that trio helped revive his and the club's prospects, with no telling how it would affect those fortunes if all three coaches were to leave at once.

The Daily Mail suggested the delay in advancing contract talks could be due to the ongoing dispute between clubs and agents over whom should be responsible for the latter's fees.

It's understood all three coaches would be eager to extend their stays at The Stoop but are also considering their options elsewhere as they prepare to enter the final six months of their contracts.

Ex- Wales prop Jones, 40, retired at Quins in 2018 and has earned early plaudits as a coach, while 16-cap former All Black Evans—who made 208 appearances for the club—is the mastermind behind their thrilling attack.

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Former Ireland hooker Flannery, 43, is the most experienced of the three having first been employed as a coach with Munster in 2014, but each would likely find themselves in high demand if they were made available.

Evans, 41, in particular may find himself inundated with offers for the way in which he's remodelled Quins' blueprint when in possession, bringing some of Europe's most entertaining rugby to The Stoop.

A lot can happen between now and June, but despite their Premiership title, Harlequins may be wary of contract costs as clubs continue to deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

The titleholders fought from a 16-0 half-time deficit to clinch a 26-16 bonus-point win at Wasps on Sunday, cementing their spot at third in the Premiership, level on points with Saracens but 10 behind leaders Leicester Tigers.

Harlequins are hoping to win back-to-back league titles for the first time in their history, and Matson has so far succeeded in keeping his new team in contention for the top places.

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