'Incredibly difficult': Harlequins confirm Nick Evans' exit

Nick Evans will leave the Harlequins at the end of the season, brining an 18-year association with the club to an end, as reported by RugbyPass.

The former All Blacks fly-half arrived in south west London in 2008 and spent almost 10 years as a player at Twickenham Stoop, winning the Premiership in 2012 and becoming the club’s highest-ever points scorer.

He transitioned into coaching after his retirement, and added another domestic title to his name as a coach in 2021.

In 2023, Evans joined Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team for the Guinness Six Nations.

Quins are undergoing a mass coaching overhaul this summer after a troubled season, and despite the imminent arrival of compatriot Robbie Deans as performance director, Evans will move on.

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“After 18 years of living and breathing this club, it’s incredibly difficult to put into words what it means to myself and my family,” said Evans. “I leave feeling hugely grateful and honoured not only to have worn the shirt and represented those legends who came before us, but also to have shared that journey as a player and a coach with the incredible supporters who make this club so special.

“We will carry many amazing moments with us forever, but more than anything, it’s the people that have truly made it. The players, staff and supporters have become like a second family to us.

“I’ve given everything I can to this club, and in return it has shaped me both professionally and personally in ways I will always value. I wish nothing but success for everyone connected to the club in the future.”

Head coach Jason Gilmore added: “It has been great working alongside Nick for the past two seasons. He is a true Harlequin who has helped me understand the club. Nick has made a remarkable contribution to Quins as a player, and then as a coach for the last eight years.

“Nick’s achievements both on and off the field will leave a lasting legacy due to the quality of the man that he is, which has had a huge influence on the players in the squad.

“We wish Nick, Sally and the family all the very best for the next chapter and send our gratitude to Nick for everything he has done for the club.”

Chief executive Laurie Dalrymple said: “Nick’s relationship with Quins has spanned nearly two decades, firstly as our record point scorer and then as a coach behind one of the most thrilling title-winning campaigns the PREM has ever seen.

“He is the only individual in club history to be a PREM champion as a player and a coach, and for this and many other reasons he will always be a significant part of the club’s history. There can be no doubt of Nick’s contribution on and off the field and we are immensely grateful for his commitment to this club across so many years.

“Nick remains focused on the remainder of the current season, and we will celebrate his remarkable association with Harlequins prior to his departure. We wish him and his family the very best in their next chapter come the end of the season.”