Former Wallaby coach Robbie Deans hired by struggling Harlequins

Harlequins are poised to appoint the former Wallaby boss Robbie Deans as a coaching consultant in a new look coaching set-up at the Twickenham Stoop later this summer.

Deans, 66, who left his role as head coach of Japan Rugby League One outfit Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights last summer, has become an executive advisor to new head coach Atsushi Kanazawa.

The ex-All Blacks full-back ruled himself out of the running to become the All Blacks’ head coach after the sacking of Scott Robertson, a job that was taken by Dave Rennie, who himself was an early contender to move to Quins next season.

The Gallagher PREM strugglers have received several knock-backs from big-name candidates, and were also linked with former stars Mark Mapletoft and Nick Easter, who has done a magnificent job with Chinnor.

It is understood that Deans, who was in charge of the Wallabies between 2008 and 2013 and won 44 of his 75 Tests in charge, will work remotely from his home in New Zealand.

RugbyPass believes that there will be changes to the Quins coaching staff this summer, but that senior coach Jason Gilmore, who stepped into the role when Danny Wilson left for Wales in September, will stay on board.

Australian reports earlier this year suggested he was on borrowed time, but the former ‘Tahs coach is under contract for next season and will work with the Deans in the new-look set-up.

Club legend Nick Evans, who joined from the Blues in 2008, looks set to leave the club after 18 years and was recently linked with the attack job at PREM rivals Bath, only to miss out to Munster’s Mike Prendergast.

Former All Black fly-half Evans, 48, joined the Quins staff in 2017 after spending nine years playing at the Twickenham Stoop, has been linked with a return to New Zealand, and Quins are actively looking to recruit a new attack coach.