League great Sean Long joins Quins coaching staff with ex-England centre

Harlequins have continued their coaching overhaul ahead of the 2026/27 season by confirming new roles for former England centre Jordan Turner-Hall and rugby league great Sean Long.

Turner-Hall has been appointed defence and transition coach, extending his 24-year association with the club. The former Quins academy graduate, who earned two caps for England, made 181 appearances during his playing career and was part of the sides that won the Challenge Cup in 2011 and Premiership title in 2012.

Since retiring in 2015, the 37-year-old has remained at The Stoop in a variety of academy coaching roles.

Long, meanwhile, will move into a full-time role as skills and transition coach having previously been part of the staff in the 2019/20 season and having had a consultancy role this past year. The former Great Britain scrum-half enjoyed a trophy-laden playing career with St Helens, winning four Super League titles and five Challenge Cups.

The appointments are the latest additions to Jason Gilmore’s coaching team for next season, with Quins still expected to announce an attack coach to fill the void left by Nick Evans.

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“We’re delighted to confirm new roles for Jordan and Sean, and I am looking forward to working alongside them both next season,” Gilmore said.

“Jordan will be an important cog in our coaching team working on the defensive side of the ball. This appointment is well deserved from Jordan’s work in our academy space for several years plus his experience coaching in the Gallagher PREM and PREM Cup programmes. Jordan’s DNA with the club as a Premiership winner and now as a coach, will play a crucial role in connecting our playing group.

“Sean has been promoted from a part-time role this season to a full-time Skills Coach. Sean’s attention to detail and ability to identify positives and a critical fix immediately in a training session or game is second to none. He has been a career coach since finishing a glittering rugby league playing career and will be a valuable addition to our programme. A multiple title-winner with St Helens and representing Great Britain, Sean like Jordan, has lived and breathed winning at the highest level and understands the standards and performances we need to drive at our club.”

Turner-Hall added: “I’m really excited to be involved in what feels like a new chapter for the club.

“We have said goodbye to some great servants over the last couple of years, who have contributed enormously to the history and legacy of Harlequins during their time here. Going into next season it feels like a bit of rebirth with the youngsters we have coming through. We’ve had our challenges with injuries, but that’s created opportunity, and Jason has shown real faith in the younger players across all competitions.

“Ultimately, I want to be adding value as Jason’s second set of eyes on defence and hopefully put my own imprint on how we defend as Harlequins. I’m looking forward to leaning into that process, challenging myself as a coach in a very competitive Gallagher PREM, and sharing a coaching room with people I can learn a lot from.”

Long said: “It has been great to be back at Harlequins this year and I’m looking forward to being in the environment full-time next season as part of a new coaching group.

“I’ve enjoyed working alongside Jason and the wider coaching staff, and I think there’s a brilliant environment being built here. As skills and transition coach, I want to help the players express themselves and fulfil their potential, and I can’t wait to get started.”