Harlequins have announced that Danny Wilson will join the Stoop outfit ahead of the 2023/24 campaign to become their lineout and contact coach.
Wilson has been a forwards coach and head coach in his previous roles and his arrival comes on the back of Nick Evans joining England for the Six Nations.
Harlequins feel he will provide elite delivery and support in all facets of the programme, offering a senior set of eyes to support head coach Tabai Matson.
Wilson‘s coaching CV includes lifting the 2017/18 Challenge Cup title with Cardiff, reaching a World Rugby U20 Championship final with Wales and coaching Scotland men’s forwards between 2018-2020. Most recently, Wilson served in the role of head coach at United Rugby Championship side Glasgow.
Wilson’s arrival at Harlequins will mean that current lineout and defence coach Jerry Flannery is set to focus full-time on defence ahead of next season.
“We are delighted to welcome Danny to the club on a full-time basis this summer ahead of the 2023/24 season. I have worked with Danny previously and I know the level of detail and energy he’ll bring to our program,” explained Harlequins director of rugby performance Billy Millard in Thursday’s announcement.
Wilson said: “It’s a great honour to join a club with the history, prestige and passionate supporter base of Harlequins.
“Recent success at Harlequins has been clear for all to see; however, I have also been really impressed with the future vision, plans and passion for the club presented by both Billy, Tabai and everyone I have met at the club so far.
“I’m looking forward to joining the team and contributing next season to what is clearly a really talented group of players and staff.”
Young hooker Patrick Harrison signs senior deal at Edinburgh
Elsewhere, Edinburgh‘s Patrick Harrison has signed his first senior contract, penning a four-year deal with his boyhood club in the United Rugby Championship.
The highly-rated former Scotland U20 hooker has made an encouraging start to the 2022/23 campaign, scoring against Cardiff, Glasgow Warriors and Zebre.
He was a match-winner with his 78th minute try against Zebre Parma, while his acrobatic finish in last month’s 1872 Cup decider sealed a losing bonus point.
“I’m really excited to stay at the club I’ve wanted to play for since I was a boy. I feel like I’ve worked really hard over the last two and a half years to get this point – so it really means a lot,” said Harrison.
“It’s always been my goal to earn a professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby and the support of the coaching staff has been massive in helping me reach this point. They’ve backed me and trusted me in big matches which has really helped my development as a pro player.
“Now it’s time to get my head down and continue to work. I don’t want to take any backward steps. I can’t wait to continue to represent a club and city that means so much to me.”
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