Gallagher PREM 2026/27 squads rated: Harlequins

Having finished ninth in the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM, surely the only way is up for Harlequins this season.

Head coach Jason Gilmore has opted for quality over quantity in his recruitment, with full-back George Furbank the standout capture from champions Northampton.

But Gilmore be hoping that the arrival of props Sampie Swiegers and Harry Johnson-Holmes is just as significant, as Harlequins’ electric backs need a better platform to play from.

Ever since Will Collier left to go to France in 2024 and Joe Marler retired, Harlequins have badly missed the cornerstones of their pack. This was evident last season by the fact they conceded more scrum penalties than any other team (36) and they won the second fewest (16) on their feed.

And now with Stephen Lewies returning to South Africa and Joe Launchbury retired, some considerable heft and leadership removed from the engine room, too, even if both only played bit-parts in last season’s campaign due to injury.

The appointment of double-winning forwards coach Rob Hunter is a positive step in the right direction.

As with all clubs, Harlequins need key individuals to stay fit. Marcus Smith was the only Harlequins player to play over 80% of PREM game time in 2025/26, and his total of 1,200 minutes ranked him 28th in terms of minutes played for the league overall.

Loose-heads: Josh Andrews, Fin Baxter, Will Hobson, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Simon Kerrod, Jamie Miller, Jago Morgan, Boris Wenger.
With Fin Baxter back to fitness from his foot problems, which restricted him to just seven games last season, he’ll almost feel like a new signing, and a quality one at that. Simon Kerrod and Boris Wenger provide experienced back-up, while Super Rugby recruit Harry Johnson-Holmes is happy on either side of the scrum. 7/10

Hookers: Jerold Gorlkeu, Ashton Graham, Jack Musk, Sam Riley, Jimmy Staples, Jack Walker
Quins had the worst lineout stats in the PREM last season, with just 80.2% of ball won. And while the hookers can’t take all the blame, they will need Jack Walker and Sam Riley to up their game in the throwing stakes, an area where the now-departed George Turner was the pick of the bunch. Walker has an immense work-rate and silky hands for a hooker and Riley can dig in, but compared to other squads, they look a little light on x-factor here. 6/10

Tight-heads: Sam Bland, Ethan Clarke, Pedro Delgado, Osman Dimen*, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Titi Lamositele, Ollie Streeter, Ruan ‘Sampie’ Swiegers, Sitiveni Vasuturaga*, Harry Williams.
Quins aren’t short of options at tight-head but they could do with someone to put their hands up and make a real impact this season. Sampie Swiegers comes highly-rated from Currie Cup rugby in South Africa, but this is his first experience of top-flight rugby so made need time to bed in. England U20 international Ollie Streeter suffered injury problems last season and put pressure on Pedro Delgado and Harry Williams, who shouldered most of the burden last season. 6/10

Locks: Jack Beswick, Harry Browne, James Dun, Jonny Green, Henry Laidlow, Guido Petti, Kieran Treadwell, Elliot Williams
Quins mauled 50 times last seson, the second-fewest in the comp, and their second-row line-up suggests they’re not going to start sticking the ball up their jumpers and try and bully teams close to the line. Getting James Dun from Bristol was a real coup for Quins, and he’ll add some much-needed athleticism to the row. Guido Petti and Kieran Treadwell offer experienced back-up, but they could struggle if injuries bite. 6.5/10

Back-rowers: Zach Carr, Marley Chandra, James Chisholm, Chandler Cunningham-South, Leo Dickinson, Alex Dombrandt, Seb Driscoll, Will Evans, Jack Kemp, Jack Kenningham, Lucas Schmid, Jake Spurway*, Kaiden Watson, Tate Williams
Alex Dombrandt’s injury will leave a big hole at the back of the pack until probably the New Year. As the son of Canadian legend, Mike Schmid, Lucas Schmid comes from good stock and has started this season’s two PREM Cup wins. But others will need to shoulder the burden, too, possibly Chandler Cunningham-South, until their talisman returns. His hard carrying will be missed. On the jackal front, though, Quins have few peers. Will Evans and Jack Kenningham are a constant nuisance over the ball and create plenty of transition play opportunities for the backs. 6.5/10

Scrum-halves: Alfie Bowman, Lucas Friday, Will Porter, Max Rawlinson, Stuart Townsend
Lucas Friday is an England player in waiting and Will Porter, when fit, is another good facilitator of high-tempo play and is in his prime at 27. Stuart Townsend has been around the block and will likely be third-choice. 7.5/10

Fly-halves: Josh Bellamy, Sam Marshall, Connor Slevin, Marcus Smith
With signings and players returning from injury at full-back, Marcus Smith should be free to pull the strings and run Quins’ attack from 10. The loss of Jarrod Evans and Jamie Benson to URC clubs leaves them with little in the way of experienced cover, although George Furbank can play there and James Lang has been capped by Scotland at 10. 6.5/10

Centres: Oscar Beard, Bryn Bradley, Finlay Cunnison, Sean Kerr, Ludo Kolade, James Lang, Franklin McMillan, Luke Northmore, Jack Tyler, Ben Waghorn.
Solid buit not spectacular is our assessment of Quins’ stocks at centre. Internationals Oscar Beard, Bryn Bradley and Luke Northmore need to take their game to another level if Quins are going to be punchier in attack and not be so reliant on the wide men to strut their stuff. 7/10

Wings: Cameron Anderson, Cassius Cleaves, Rodrigo Isgró, Cadan Murley, Theo Povey, Edward Sigauke
Zimbabwean Sigauke has produced some spell-binding performances for his country and will now be looking to translate that to the PREM. His no-fear approach and stepping ability could make him one of the signings of the season, and will complement the aerial prowess and strength in contact of Pumas star Rodrigo Isgró. Cassius Cleaves is another box-office player, and Cadan Murley’s record speaks for itself. 8/10

Full-back: Nick David, George Furbank, Tyrone Green, Ben Perkins, Sean Sharp
Having been forced to mend and make do at 15, Quins are all of a sudden blessed with talent. It would be a surprise if George Furbank doesn’t seamlessly slot into the Quins style of play, while Tyrone Green and Nick David would probably make most other starting XVs. Green is still only 28 and Quins supporters will be hoping to see more of him after all his injury problems of late. 9/10

Overall rating: 70/100 (2025/26: 74.5/100)

Gallagher PREM ratings table, as it stands:
1. Northampton – 78
2. Bath – 76
3. Exeter – 70
3. Harlequins – 70

TRANSFERS

Ins: James Dun (Bristol Bears), Sampie Swiegers (Pumas), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Western Force), James Lang (Edinburgh), Edward Sigauke (Varsity College, SA)

Outs: Stephan Lewies (Sharks), George Turner (Newcastle Red Bulls), Jack Doorey-Palmer (Leicester Tigers), Jamie Benson (Ulster), Joe Launchbury (retired), Joe Jones (Worcester Warriors), Jake Murray (Exeter Chiefs), Conor Byrne (released), Felix Chapmain (released), Cameron Doak (released), Jack Grant (released), Tom Humphreys (released), Math Jones (released), Tom Lawday (released), Guy Rogers (released), Andrew Turner (released), Mattias Woollard (released), Hayden Hyde (Ealing Trailfinders), Max Green (Oundle), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Rugby),Jordan Els (Northampton Saints)

*Denotes player on short-term contract