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Ex-Harlequin and England rep Luke Wallace makes switch to Championship

By Alex Shaw
Luke Wallace in action for England in 2014 against Barbarians. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Greene King IPA Championship clubs’ precarious financial state is no great secret and very few have the flexibility in their budgets to go after a player as accomplished as Luke Wallace.

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The majority of higher profile signings made in the competition in recent years have generally been made by the relegated team from the Gallagher Premiership, Ealing Trailfinders, who have significant financial backing, or Yorkshire Carnegie, before their recent money issues.

Coventry’s rise back up the English league structure has not gone unnoticed, however, nor has the healthy crowds they are attracting to Butts Park Arena.

Those crowds will now be treated to the sight of flanker Wallace, with the 28-year-old agreeing to move to Coventry for the 2019/20 season.

Speaking on the move, Wallace said “I am really looking forward to joining Coventry and linking up with the team next week. It is a good opportunity for me to join a strong squad and play my part during an exciting time for the club.”

The former Harlequin is one of a number of players let go by the Twickenham-based club this summer, with Head of Rugby Paul Gustard beginning to mould the squad to his liking, 12 months after leaving his role as England’s defence coach to take the reins. Wallace made 169 appearances during his 10-year stay at the club and represented England against the Barbarians, albeit in an uncapped match.

Luke Wallace
Luke Wallace of Harlequins waves to the supporters after the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stoop. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Harlequins)
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“Luke is going to add significant experience to the team and we are excited to get him on board,” said Coventry Director of Rugby Rowland Winter.

“We have lots of quality in the back row and the competition for places will be fierce, which is exactly what we need in order to drive our way up the league table.”

Wallace will join the likes of Jack Ram and Ben Nutley in the Coventry back row, as well as making the move to the West Midlands alongside fellow Quins academy product Stan South. Other arrivals from Premiership sides this summer include Gareth Denman, Ryan Burrows, James Voss and David Langley.

With increasing concern that the Premiership may seek to end promotion to the competition, the likes of Coventry and Ealing have strengthened significantly this summer, with both clubs intent on challenging Newcastle Falcons for top spot in English rugby’s second tier next season.

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In other news: Retallick’s deal leaves Kiwis worried

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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