Harlequins prop Joe Marler shocked fans last week by announcing his immediate retirement from professional rugby.
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Friday night’s Gallagher Premiership showdown with the Bristol Bears will mark the end of his storied career.
But Marler’s exit might not be the only farewell at The Stoop. Veteran scrum-half Danny Care could also be packing his bags, with whispers of a shake-up involving several promising young stars heading elsewhere.
Danny Care: “Unsure of My Future”
Could 2024 mark the end of an era for the veteran scrum-half?
Danny Care admits that he’s not entirely sure what the future holds for him as he enters his 19th season with Harlequins. While he’s still loving the game, Care knows that his time is coming, and he’s got some big decisions ahead.
“I still really enjoy playing, but I know my time is coming. I’ve had an amazing time working with TNT this season and dabbling in some other bits around the game. Over Christmas, I’ll have some tough decisions to make about what’s next. We’ll figure it out soon,” wrote Care.
He also reflected on the changing landscape of rugby, particularly the retirement of his long-time teammate Joe Marler. “I was proud of Joe retiring, but selfishly it was quite sad for me. He was one of the last from our era. It’s strange – every year you lose more of the lads you’ve spent years with, especially those who’ve been at the club forever.”
Care, now the senior figure in a squad full of younger faces, admitted that the game is shifting, with age profiles growing younger and veteran players becoming fewer. “I’m in my 19th year at Quins, and it feels like more and more lads are leaving each year. There are only a handful of us left now – Joe, Launchbury, Lewies, Herbst – but it’s still a lot quieter in the changing room these days.”
But despite the changes, Care insists that as long as he’s enjoying his rugby and feels he can contribute, he’ll keep playing. “I always said I’d keep going until I didn’t enjoy it or didn’t feel like I could help the team. Right now, I still enjoy it, and I feel like I can contribute. We’ll see how the body feels in a few weeks, but for now, I’m still loving it.”
Lennox Anyanwu: Montpellier’s New Star in the Making?
Harlequins centre Lennox Anyanwu is reportedly swapping the Twickenham Stoop for the south of France. According to The Telegraph, the 23-year-old is set to join Montpellier on a hefty £300,000-per-year deal.
Anyanwu, who was name-checked by England boss Steve Borthwick last season, has been a standout performer this campaign. With five of six league starts at inside centre, he’s made a name for himself through bone-crunching tackles and unstoppable carries.
Nathan Jibulu: Tigers Snatch Promising Hooker
The race to secure Nathan Jibulu’s signature has been fierce, with Sale Sharks seemingly coming out on top. Rugby Pass broke the news that the North West outfit, desperate to replace outgoing star Julián Montoya, have lured the young hooker.
Jibulu, a product of Harlequins’ esteemed academy and an England A call-up for the clash against Australia A, is only 21 but already highly sought after. Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks were reportedly in the mix, but the Tigers appear to have won over the promising front-rower in a high-stakes recruitment battle.
Will Evans: From Premiership Kingpin to French Adventure?
Flanker Will Evans, famed as the Premiership’s most efficient turnover maestro, could be packing his bags for France. The Daily Mail claims that the 27-year-old is considering lucrative offers from both Top 14 giants and ambitious Pro D2 sides.
Evans, who left Leicester Tigers for Harlequins six years ago, is at the tail end of a contract he signed back in 2022. Provence are pushing for his signature, but Top 14 heavyweights Perpignan and Montpellier are also in the hunt, according to Rugby Pass. Could the Stoop’s breakdown king be heading for a new challenge across the Channel?
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