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Injury crisis at Harlequins forces club to sign two scrumhalves
Harlequins have confirmed the signing of two scrumhalves to cover a burgeoning injury crisis at nine.
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Danny Care sustained an ankle injury during pre-season training, with a projected eight-week recovery time.
The 32-year-old, who has made over 260 appearances for the club, underwent surgery but isn’t expect to be back until October.
To add to their difficulties, back-up scrumhalf Niall Saunders was injured on the weekend against Bristol.
The club today signed Dylan Munro and Lloyd Wheeldon, one to the academy and one on a short-term contract.
Munro signed a two-year deal with the Harlequins Academy earlier this month, joining from Stellenbosch University where the 19-year-old was a key player for the Stellenbosch Rugby side in his home nation of South Africa.
Expressing his delight, Munro said: “Harlequins is a Club known across the globe, so to be joining is a dream come true for me. I have already learnt so much and being around such a talented group has helped me grow as a player. I can’t wait to get out there in the famous Quarters and represent this team.”
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Also joining the club after a successful trial is fellow scrumhalf Lloyd Wheeldon. He has been offered a short-term contract to provide cover at Number 9 with current injuries to “The Talisman” Danny Care and young hotshot Niall Saunders, who will unfortunately be out for around three weeks with an oblique injury, following his explosive start against Bristol Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
A serving Lance Corporal in 3 Para, Wheeldon joins Harlequins following a successful spell with the Army Rugby Union. The 23-year-old has already represented Harlequins at the recent Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, scoring against Bristol in the quarter-final.
#Harlequins very good interview on @RugbyPass with Ackerman, Gussy and Kidney, well worth a read @RugbyGlos @RugbyQuins @RugbyLI https://t.co/NeJm6QLSL5
— Friends Of The stoop (@QuinsFOTS) September 15, 2019
Wheeldon commented: “Having previously represented the Army at Twickenham, I’ve had a taste of what it feels like to play on the biggest stage and the opportunity to join a Club like Harlequins is an incredible next step in my rugby journey.”
Harlequins Head of Rugby Paul Gustard added: “We’ve been impressed by the attitude, character and effort shown by both Dylan and Lloyd in training and are delighted to offer them more formal opportunities with the Club.
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“Dylan was recommended to me by my good friends Ernst Joubert and Neil de Kock in South Africa and, whilst on my holiday/recruitment break, we managed to organise for him to come over on a trial basis. We have limited options at scrum-half in terms of our pathway, which has been a concern, so I have been looking for someone for a while to give us depth and who also has the core skillset and physical attributes required. I believe Dylan will prove to be a successful addition to our squad – he has raw ability and genuine pace, which is in keeping with how we want to play.
“First and foremost, Lloyd is a great kid, and he has worked incredibly hard since arriving at the Club on a training contract in June. His attitude and aptitude to make a swift comeback following a hamstring injury in pre-season is testament to his mental fortitude and desire to play professional rugby.
“We are pleased that we can formally announce him on an initial short-term contract following Niall’s injury to allow him to compete and follow his ambition. I am equally grateful to the cooperation of the Army and the excellent work of our superb Player Development Manager, Andy Sanger, who is quite simply, one of the greats.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
1 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
1 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments