Harlequins could be facing £2.5 million bill - reports

Harlequins are facing a massive bill should they decide to offload a number of coaches after a troubled Aviva Premiership season.

The Daily Mail are reporting that the west London club are potentially facing a £2.5 million bill in payouts.

Top of that bill is John Kingston, Director of Rugby, who will be leaving the club at the end of the 2017/18 season by mutual agreement. He is reported to be owed a £750,000 severance deal after his time came to an end just months after his contract with the club as Director of Rugby was extended.

Kingston will complete a 17-year association with Quins at the end of this season and the club has set up a panel to identify the man they want to take over, with New Zealander Scott Robertson of the Crusaders, said to be the prime candidate.

However, it is Kingston’s assistants that could cause the bulk of the payouts, if the incoming the Director of Rugby wants to bring with him his own coaching ticket.

Along with Kingston, Chief Executive, David Ellis extended contracts for Head Coach Mark Mapletoft and Forwards Coach Graham Rowntree, amomg others.

Earlier in the month the club released a list of 25 players that are committed to the west London outfit for next season, including five new signings.

They have also listed 12 player departures, which includes 10 players who are leaving the club and two who are retiring.

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Speaking to RugbyPass earlier this month, secondrow James Horwill put the record straight on Kingston’s impending exit, saying: “JK had not lost the dressing room.

“He is a top bloke who cares deeply about the club and anyone who has spent 17 years at the place has a deep passion for Quins and it is unfortunate what has happened. We need to make sure that we work to fix the issues. We need to be better as a playing group and we need to take ownership of that and JK has not lost the dressing room. I am really sorry it has ended the way it has for him.

“As players we need to put our hands up and take responsibility and we had a team meeting to discuss everything as a squad. We have a month of the season left with three Premiership games and the A league side with a semi-final. We haven’t performed and we have an opportunity in this Gloucester game to put in a performance we can be proud of and finish the season on the right note.”

Regardless of Kingston’s standing at the club, severance payouts could take a substantial bite out of their budget for 2018/19 season, and the club’s potential to lure big-name players.