When it comes to building a team, Harlequins have had their share of brilliant signings – but they’ve also taken a few punts that didn’t pan out.
While the Stoop has been home to some iconic players, not every high-profile addition or promising newcomer lived up to expectations. Here’s a look at five signings that Harlequins hoped would make an impact but instead fell flat.
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1. Chris Ashton – A Brief and Uneventful Stay
Paul Gustard praised Ashton as “one of the most competitive, professional and dedicated athletes” upon signing him in March 2020. However, Ashton’s stint at Harlequins barely got off the ground, with sporadic appearances leading to an early release just 10 months later. Ashton reportedly didn’t want to “waste the next six months” at Harlequins, making his departure as abrupt as his arrival.
2. Paul Doran-Jones – A Misfire in the Front Row
After joining from Northampton in 2013, hopes were high for Doran-Jones. Then-boss Conor O’Shea saw the prop as a rising star who would only improve. Sadly, after two seasons and only 19 appearances, his impact fell short, and he left to rejoin Gloucester, leaving Harlequins with more questions than answers in the scrum.
3. Demetri Catrakilis – The South African Struggles to Make an Impact
Heralded as a talented fly-half from South Africa, Catrakilis arrived in 2017 with a reputation that had Harlequins fans hopeful. But injuries plagued his time at the club, limiting him to just 13 appearances in two seasons.
He moved on to the Pro 14’s Izuzu Southern Kings, leaving a frustratingly unfulfilled promise at the Stoop.
4. Paul Sackey – An Unsuccessful Homecoming
After making waves in France with Toulon and Stade Francais, Sackey’s return to the English Premiership with Harlequins in the 2013/14 season sparked excitement.
However, the winger’s performance didn’t live up to expectations, with just two tries over the season. He decided to call it quits shortly after, ending his career on a disappointing note.
5. Niki Goneva – The Finisher That Couldn’t Finish
Billed as a “real coup” and a “deadly finisher,” Goneva joined Harlequins from Newcastle Falcons in the 2019/20 season.
But at 35, Goneva’s prolific try-scoring days seemed behind him. Despite his reputation, he didn’t find the try line in any of his six appearances, capping a quiet end to his Premiership journey.
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Fullback: MIKE BROWN
One of the Club’s most decorated and successful players, Mike Brown made his debut for the Club in the Championship against Doncaster Knights in October 2005 (a match in which he also scored his first try). A graduate of the Harlequins Academy, Brown has been an ever-present in the Club’s most successful period in the professional era.
He started in the 2011 Amlin Challenge Cup final win against Stade Francais and in the 2012 Aviva Premiership final win against Leicester Tigers; the culmination of a season that saw Brown score 12 tries. Brown’s standout year for the Club came in the 2013/14 season where he was named QBE Man of the Series, RBS Six Nations Player of the Championship, Supporters’ Player of the Year, Premiership Player of the Year and the RPA’s England Player of the Year.
Winger: UGO MONYE
Monye was a one-club man during his playing career, representing Quins with distinction for 13 years before hanging up his boots in 2015. He won the Aviva Premiership title in 2012 with the London outfit, as well as the Challenge Cup twice (2004 and 2011) and the Anglo-Welsh Cup (2013).
Monye was also the British and Irish Lions’ top try scorer on their 2009 tour of South Africa, going over five times in total, including one in the 28-9 final Test win in Johannesburg.
Centre: WILL CARLING
Carling joined Quins from Rosslyn Park in 1987, and just one year later he became England captain at the age of 22. During his time as skipper he led England to back-to-back Five Nations Grand Slam victories (1991, 1992) and another Grand Slam in 1995, scoring six tries from outside centre in the Championship, and several more in other matches.
Centre: WILL GREENWOOD
Having played for Harlequins alongside his day job, he committed full time to rugby as soon as it went professional in 1996. After a spell at Leicester, where he helped to bring home two Premiership titles, he re-signed for Harlequins in 2000 and played a key role in taking them to victory twice in the European Shield.
He was also an integral part of England’s victorious World Cup campaign of 2003, a character and leader in one of the most successful team dynamics seen in recent times
Winger: TOM WILLIAMS
Overlooking the infamous bloodgate scandal (He remains the only one to apologise for this scandal), Williams was one of the finest players to come through the Quins ranks since the millennium.
He started and scored a try for Harlequins in their 2011–12 Premiership final victory over Leicester Tigers and is a member of the “200 Club” having represented Harlequins for over 200 first team games.
