Deans to join Gilmore in new Quins coaching line-up

Harlequins have appointed Jason Gilmore as permanent head coach, with former Australia coach Robbie Deans joining as performance director from the start of next season.

Gilmore, who joined Quins as defence coach in 2024, has been in temporary charge for the past six months after Danny Wilson left the club on the eve of the new season.

He will be working in tandem with former New Zealand full-back Deans, 66, who served as number two in the All Blacks’ coaching set-up prior to becoming the first non-Australian coach of the Wallabies in 2007.

The club have also announced that former Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Hunter, who left Sandy Park at the end of last season, will be taking up the role of forwards coach at The Stoop next season.

The trio will be tasked with sparking a major improvement at Quins, who are second from bottom in the Prem and slid to their sixth defeat in a row against fellow strugglers Gloucester on Saturday.

“There’s a significant amount of work to be done, but that’s what makes this such an exciting opportunity,” Gilmore told the Harlequins website.

“We’re committed to building the right environment, the right standards, and the right squad to take this club forward.

“Having Robbie come on board is such a positive addition. The guidance and support he will provide me personally, as well as our coaching and playing group, will be invaluable.

“To our supporters, we genuinely appreciate the backing we’ve received through a tough year. We’ll need that continued support, because returning Harlequins to where it belongs will take a collective effort – but it’s one we’re fully committed to.”