Harlequins confirm coaching reshuffle ahead of 2025/26 PREM Rugby season

Thursday, 18 September 2025 at 15:05

byTom Sansom

Harlequins have announced an updated coaching structure for the 2025/26 campaign, following the departure of Senior Coach Danny Wilson last week. The club confirmed that Jason Gilmore has been promoted to Senior Coach, taking on a leadership role within the performance group while continuing his responsibilities for defence.

Joining him is Toby Booth, who returns to The Stoop as Forwards Consultant. Gilmore, who arrived in London ahead of the 2024/25 season, brings more than 15 years of senior coaching experience at both club and international level. His résumé includes Head Coach roles with Australia A, Australia U20s, and the Barbarians, alongside stints with the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds in Super Rugby.

Booth, meanwhile, adds further weight to Quins’ backroom team. The former Ospreys Head Coach (2020–24) also previously enjoyed spells as First Team Coach at Bath Rugby (2012–2019) and Director of Rugby at London Irish (2008–2012). He briefly worked at The Stoop during the 2019/20 campaign as Assistant Coach, and more recently helped guide the Hong Kong China Rugby Union to their first-ever Rugby World Cup qualification in 2027 following a successful 2025 Asia Rugby Championship.

Over a two-decade career, Booth has been involved in two European Challenge Cup finals and two Premiership finals, and his experience is expected to complement Harlequins’ existing coaching group of Nick Evans (Attack), Adam Jones (Scrum), and Gerard Mullen (Skills).

Harlequins Chief Executive Laurie Dalrymple welcomed the appointments:

“Following Danny’s departure last week, we are pleased to swiftly confirm our updated coaching structure for the 2025/26 season. Jason has made a positive impact within the performance group since his arrival at the Club and will assume this leadership role within what is an already established and experienced coaching group. Similarly, we’re equally pleased to welcome back Toby as a Forwards Consultant, who has a strong understanding of our Club and playing identity.

“As the season progresses, we will continue to review our coaching structure for the long term but for now, our full focus is this week’s fixture against Leicester Tigers in the PREM Cup and next Friday’s Gallagher PREM opener against Bath Rugby at a sold-out Stoop.”

Harlequins will be hoping the refreshed coaching setup gives them momentum heading into a busy domestic campaign, starting with Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Cup before opening their Gallagher Premiership season against Bath Rugby at The Stoop.