Harlequins Appoint Gilmore Head Coach, Deans Director

Harlequins, the struggling English Premiership rugby club, announced on Tuesday a major overhaul of its coaching staff, appointing Jason Gilmore as permanent head coach while bringing in former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans as performance director and ex-Exeter Chiefs forwards coach Rob Hunter for next season. The moves come as the London-based side languishes in ninth place with just two wins from 11 matches this season.

Gilmore, who joined Harlequins as defence coach in 2024, has served as interim head coach since September, when Danny Wilson departed abruptly to become an assistant with the Wales national team. The 2021 Premiership champions have endured a dismal campaign, marked by a sixth consecutive league defeat in a 26-19 home loss to Gloucester on Saturday. Their next fixture is a Premiership trip to Bristol Bears on Saturday, followed by a Champions Cup clash with Sale Sharks on April 3.

Deans, 66, will assume his role from July 2026, initially through the end of the 2027-28 season. The New Zealander, who assisted the All Blacks before becoming the Wallabies' first non-Australian head coach in 2008, brings a wealth of experience, including five Super Rugby titles with...