Story Of The Season - Harlequins

The 2014/15 season has been a challenging one for Harlequins, at times the heights of last year’s playoffs seemed a world away however in the final rounds they started to purr once again. 

Any sportsman will tell you that sometimes confidence is as hard to find as a needle in a haystack and with Harlequins’ preferred style of play being such a fluid and dynamic one it relies heavily on collective belief. It is this belief that has wavered during the season and made some matches difficult to watch. More than any Aviva Premiership side Harlequins suffered when their key men headed off on England duty. They did not lose the greatest number of players, that honour or more accurately burden I believe went to Bath, however Harlequins’ departing Internationals left large holes both positionally and in terms of leadership in important areas of the field. 

Exactly like last season it is fair to say that Harlequins’ busy hospital wing hasn’t helped Conor O’Shea in the slightest particularly in the front row. Both Paul Doran Jones and Will Collier haven’t played all season and latterly Kyle Sinckler and Joe Marler picked up knocks. Matt Shields' efforts after arriving from Darlington must be applauded however the jump up to scrummaging against Alex Corbisiero, Nick Wood and Mako Vunipola was vast. In the middle Ben Botica’s stint on the sidelines actually turned into a positive as Harlequins found a gem of a Fly Half in Tim Swiel and he'll be back next season for good. 

Jack Clifford's development continues at a rate of knots, he cleaned up at the recent End of Season Awards Dinner scooping Players Player, Young Player and Supporters Player of the Season and there is so much more to come from the young man. Marland Yarde's form was starting to come back by the end of the season having grafted hard but not delivered quite the spark he would have wanted to following his move from London Irish and their eldest player Nick Easter worked tirelessly whenever he took to the field. 

Pleasingly Harlequins have opened their books personally I am of the opinion that two signings last year was a touch too light, so to see reinforcements arriving is positive. The experience of James Horwill and Adam Jones will give the young men at the club great knowledge to feed off for they've both been there and done it all at the highest level. Harlequins' latest and most high profile signing Jamie Roberts will also be invaluable. In Roberts the South West London side are gaining a powerful game changer and a man that aways gets over the gain line. Jamie's ability to punch holes in any defence will immediately push the side in the  right direction and he is a cracking signings for them. These three men will go some way towards filling the gaps left by some departing stalwarts notably Ugo Moyne and George Robson. 

Let's not forget that when Quins did find their straps this season they reminded us all of how strong they can be... the key components are there. The talent housed in the ranks cannot be argued with; Luke Wallace, the Chisholm brothers, Care, Evans and more. Next year their lack of European Champions Cup action will be a benefit for the ability to focus solely on the Aviva Premiership isn't to be underestimated and the Challenge Cup will allow more game time and experience to their fruitful academy. 

Tough as it has been his season will have taught, what remains a fairly young Harlequins squad, great lessons and these ‘life experiences’ will be essential going into their 2015/16 domestic campaign. 

Key Men - Jack Clifford, Nick Easter & Joe Marler
Most Impressive Result - Round 13's Home victory over the Leicester Tigers 32 - 12
Strongest Signings for the 15/16 Season - Jamie Roberts and Winston Stanley should add some go forward and athletic bulk to the back line
Overall Assessment - A challenging yet educational season for all