Harlequins continued to strengthen its coaching staff last week with the arrival of Alex Codling as forwards coach.

Codling was the third major coaching appointment of the summer after Head of Rugby Paul Gustard and General Manager Billy Millard.

Gustard, who joined from England where he has been defence coach for the past three seasons, will oversee all day-to-day coaching at Harlequins and will work alongside Millard whose prime responsibility is to drive high performance throughout the Club, including within the Academy and Ladies structures.

Codling was formerly the Head Coach at Greene King Championship side Ealing Trailfinders and will bring huge technical expertise in terms of coaching the forwards, especially in terms of the lineout.

A former colleague of Codling’s, Head of Rugby Gustard speaks highly of his coaching ability. “I have known Alex for almost 20 years both as a player and a coach. He is very detailed around the lineout and clearly has a strong passion in this area. I’m delighted to have him as part of our coaching group at Harlequins.”

Quins have also boosted their ranks by bringing in former Army Head Coach Andrew Sanger as Player Development Manager.

Sanger will work with Harlequins’ players to help their development as performers and leaders and to enhance the culture of the squad. He will also work with the players to help them prepare for life after retirement from the sport.

The sense of excitement regarding the new coaching set-up at the Club is shared by its senior player group. “The England boys talk so highly of Gustard,” said hooker Dave Ward.

“His energy, his enthusiasm and his knowledge of the game is second to none. He is probably one of the highest-rated coaches in the world so for Quins to acquire such a coach is massive.

"We are buzzing as we wait for him to arrive from South Africa and now we just want to make sure we get ourselves in the best possible shape for when he turns up."

“It has definitely been a different feel to pre-season because of Paul and Billy Millard coming in”, said Harlequins Player of the Season James Chisholm.

“With some lads eager to meet them and know what they are all about and then those that have been coached by Paul already who are looking forward to getting back together with him and learning from him again”.

Along with the exciting new coaching additions, the quartered shirts have also welcomed the arrival of a number of exciting new players to their pre-season training at Surrey Sports Park this summer.

Forwards Matt Symons, Nick Auterac, Max Crumpton and Alex Dombrandt join the Club alongside former Bath and Australia centre Tapuai. In addition, following his return from international duty, England winger Nathan Earle will also join the side ahead of the new season.

Harlequins will play their first home pre-season match against Ealing Trailfinders on Friday, August 24 (7pm).

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