Harlequins’s greatest players: Is this Quins greatest all-time XV? - Ruck

Harlequins’s greatest players: Is this Quins greatest all-time XV?

Harlequins’s greatest ever XV is often debated among fans, it’s a very difficult one as the club has had numerous legends take to the field at Twickenham Stoop.

Obviously, this is a matter of perspective, there’s no scientific formula for the undisputed 15, but this is pretty close to it.

You’ll undoubtedly disagree with a lot of our choices so let us know what you think of the team, and what players you’d swap, in the comments:


Harlequins v Benetton Rugby, Saturday 15th December (kick-off 14:00). Tickets available online

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 27: Mike Brown of Harlequins kicks the ball upfield during the Aviva Premiership match between Harlequins and Northampton Saints at Twickenham Stadium on December 27, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

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.

PIC FROM CATERS NEWS – (PICTURED SEPTEMBER 09: Quilter Kids First Champions Canvey Island RFC. The club was visited by Ugo Monye and Danielle Nolli Waterman.) PR SHOOT FOR ESSENTIALLY / George Maclachlan

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

Aviva Live Room, Will Greenwood speaks during the Aviva Premiership Final between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 26. – PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Aviva

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.

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