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Harlequins have today announced that Academy members Gabriel Ibitoye, Dino Lamb, Niall Saunders and Calum Waters have all extended their time at the Club.
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Confirming their new contracts, Harlequins Director of Rugby, John Kingston said: “I am delighted that we have secured contract renewals with four of our highly talented young players, in the shape of Calum, Gabs, Dino and Niall.
“They all have very bright futures ahead of them given the talent and determined attitude they possess.
“Harlequins has a wonderful record of bringing through players from the Academy and it is a reputation we are strongly driving to continue.”
Joining the full time Harlequins Academy for the 2016/17 season, Gabriel Ibitoye’s first Harlequins appearances came in November 2017. Ibitoye opened his try-scoring account for Harlequins with a stunning try against Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership, racing in from inside his own 22. On the international stage, Ibitoye has represented England at U18 and U20 level; winning the 2017 U20 Six Nations and finishing as England’s top try scorer at the U20 World Rugby Championship of the same year.
Confirming his contract extension, Ibitoye said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to re-sign at this great club. We have an exciting group of boys who I believe can do something special over the next few years.
“It excites me that I’ll be able to work closely with the coaching staff and players to help improve my skills and take me to the next level as a young player.”
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Back rower Dino Lamb has enjoyed a breakout season in the quartered shirt this term after joining the full time Academy for the 2016/17 season. The former Cranleigh School student made his debut for Harlequins away to Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership in September 2017 and scored his first try for the Club against Worcester Warriors in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
A diverse forward – who can also cover the second row – Lamb also represented England in the U20s World Rugby Championship in the summer of 2017. On his new deal, Lamb added: “I’m really excited to have signed on with such a prestigious club.
“To be surrounded by some of the best players and coaching staff has massively benefited me so far – especially this season – and I’m really excited to continue the journey and push on.”
Scrum-half Niall Saunders has also put pen to paper on a new contract after making his debut for the Club in this season’s Anglo-Welsh Cup at home to Worcester Warriors. Former Epsom College student Saunders is the son of former Ireland scrum-half Rob Saunders and has represented Ireland at U18, U19 and U20 levels. Joining the Academy ahead of the 2016/17 season, Saunders has also represented Harlequins at 7s.
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After being released at the end of last season due to medical reasons, Saunders returned to Harlequins ahead of securing a new contract in the Academy. On his new contract, Saunders added: “I’m very excited to have re-signed for the Club after what had happened last year, it was something I knew would be a long and tough road back, not only emotionally and mentally but physically as well.
“It’s great to be back in the environment of so many world class players, to feed off their knowledge and to also work out why they’re at the top of their game, especially the likes of Danny [Care]; someone I think plays the most exciting rugby as a nine in world rugby.
“It’s been a massive learning curve for myself and feel I’ve come out stronger in all aspects, I’m really looking forward to the future and being involved with Harlequins again.”
Fellow scrum-half Calum Waters has been involved with the Harlequins Academy since May 2015, joining aged 18. Waters scored on his Harlequins debut away to Exeter Chiefs in March 2017 and has made two further appearances this season in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. A speedy and diminutive number nine, Waters has also represented the club at 7s and 10s level.
Confirming his extension with the Club, Waters said: “I’m thrilled to have re-signed with the Club. I’m really looking forward to developing my game further as a scrum-half under the coaches we have here as well with the guidance of senior players such as Danny [Care] and Dave [Lewis].
“I’m excited to kick on at Harlequins over the next couple of seasons and add to the number of appearances I have made so far for this great club.”
Player profiles
Gabriel Ibitoye
Wing
D.O.B: 05/03/1998
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 92kg
Dino Lamb
Back Row
D.O.B: 18/04/1998
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 108kg
Calum Waters
Scrum-half
D.O.B: 31/08/1996
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 78kg
Niall Saunders
Scrum-half
D.O.B: 21/12/1997
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 88kg
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
8 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
8 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
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