Harlequins confirm four signings for next season, including THREE internationals

Among the notable signings are three international stars, adding an impressive level of skill and experience to the club.

With the likes of Joe Marchant and Wilco Louw departing the club, Quins has wasted no time in reinforcing their ranks, making strategic additions to their squad.

Speaking about the new signings, Harlequins' Director of Rugby expressed his excitement and confidence in the team's strengthened lineup for the upcoming season.

He noted that these signings will bring a wealth of experience, talent, and international pedigree to the squad, which will undoubtedly raise the level of competition within the club and drive them towards their goals.

Joining from Bristol Bears, the 24-year-old will link up with Quins this summer to add yet further depth at number nine, alongside Danny Care who extended his Harlequins contract at Christmas.

A product of the Wasps academy prior to his successful mid-season move to Bristol Bears this campaign, Porter previously represented England at U17, U18 and U19 level before making his mark on the Gallagher Premiership for Wasps against Bristol Bears in 2018.

Born in Philadelphia before moving to the UK at the age of one, Porter represented Wasps on 58 occasions, helping the side reach the 2019 Premiership 7s final. To date, Porter has featured for Bristol four times.

Commenting on his move, Porter said: “Harlequins is an exciting club to join and I’m looking forward to playing my part in the team.

“Quins are a club that, much like Bristol, play a really positive brand of rugby and it will be great to get stuck into their game plan.”

The England lock will join the Club this summer ahead of the 2023/24 season following a stint in Japan.

The 70-times-capped, 6ft5in and 126kg England lock returns to Harlequins having originally joined the Harlequins Academy as a 15-year-old playing for affiliate clubs Worthing and Horsham, staying with Quins until the age of 18 when he moved to Wasps.

The England lock will join the Club this summer ahead of the 2023/24 season following a stint in Japan.

The 70-times-capped, 6ft5in and 126kg England lock returns to Harlequins having originally joined the Harlequins Academy as a 15-year-old playing for affiliate clubs Worthing and Horsham, staying with Quins until the age of 18 when he moved to Wasps.

Commenting on his return to the Club, Launchbury said: “I'm glad to sign on with Quins. I have fond memories of my time here in the academy. I grew up playing with and against a number of the first team squad, so it has a somewhat familiar feel to come back to Harlequins."

“I’m looking forward to my time in Japan for the rest of this season, but am very excited for the new start with Harlequins over the summer.

“Quins have some of the richest history in the game and it’s been fascinating to hear how this group have tapped back into that Harlequins DNA of old over the last few seasons.

“With the style of rugby this squad plays, I know it will be an exciting setup to be a part of.”

Tighthead prop Lewis, 27, earned his 50th cap for Wales against France in this year’s Guinness Six Nations, and joins an experienced front row contingent at Harlequins supporting a strong contingent of Academy players establishing themselves into the 1st XV.

Commenting on his signing, Lewis said: “I am over the moon to have signed here and can’t wait to get going in the summer. I am looking forward to meeting the boys and playing at The Stoop”.

When asked around what he found attractive about joining Harlequins, Lewis responded: “Their brand of rugby and also seeing the culture and environment off the field as well. I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Adam Jones and the likes of Joe Marler and Will Collier. I have big aspirations to improve as a player”. 

Harlequins Scrum & Transition Coach Adam Jones, who briefly spent time at Cardiff Rugby with Lewis said: “I first saw him playing for the Cardiff Rugby Academy 8 years ago and I could immediately see that he was going to be a really good player.

He joins a really talented pool of props at Harlequins and with great competition for places, they will push each other on. I look forward to welcoming Dillon in the summer and helping him develop his scrummaging to perform for Quins and Wales. Welcome to Harlequins Dillon!”

Quins have confirmed that fly-half Jarrod Evans will join the Club this summer, joining compatriot Dillon Lewis from Cardiff Rugby.

26-year-old Evans joins Quins with eight Welsh caps to his name, having made his international debut against Scotland in November 2018. After graduating from Pontypridd RFC and Pontyclun RFC, Evans was part of Wales U20’s Six Nations Grand Slam squad in 2016, and achieved the same success with the senior squad in 2019.

At club level, Evans has represented Cardiff Rugby 126 times, scoring an impressive 765 points since making his debut in 2015.

Most notably, he kicked 13 points for his side to claim the European Challenge Cup in the 2018 final against Gloucester Rugby and following this he was named as Cardiff’s 'Discovery Player of the Year’ and ’Players’ Player’.

Commenting on his signing, Jarrod Evans said: “I’m really looking forward to coming up here. It’s a massive club with a great style of play. One of the things that really attracted me was playing in this league and I am looking forward to challenging myself”.

Evans has several close acquaintances at Harlequins already, knowing Alex Dombrandt, Luke Northmore and Marcus Smith well. He noted: “They’ve got some really classy players here – I’m looking forward to get going with them”. Evans has also worked with several of the Harlequins coaching team previously, including Billy Millard, Danny Wilson and Adam Jones and concluded: “When we come up here, it will make the transition easier. I can’t wait to get going!”