Harlequins are hoping to sign a a replacement back-rower after England international Jack Clifford confirmed his shock retirement last week,
The Australian forward won the last of his 10 senior caps against Italy in 2017 — he made his debut during England’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign in 2016.
“My shoulder is bolted on, my hamstring is bolted on, my ankle is bolted on. I don’t know what I’ll be like at 50 but I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing.”
— Telegraph Rugby (@TelegraphRugby) August 23, 2020
Jack Clifford speaks to @CharlieFelix after retiring at 27 due to another breakdown injury. https://t.co/gRMdpw6F6u
However, a dislocated shoulder he suffered in what was his 100th appearance for Harlequins last September has failed to heal entirely even after two operations.
Harlequins have now made a move for South African powerhouse Jacques du Plessis from Montpellier.
The Rugby Paper reported on Sunday that Quins and Wasps were talking to the 27-year-old who can also play back row – with a view to him joining as early as this week.
According to RUC: sources, another player that Quins were looking at England flanker Mark Wilson, who they were keen to take on a short-term loan.
However, following a succession of injuries, Newcastle Falcons want him to take it easy ahead of the men in blacks Gallagher Premiership return next season.
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LIST | 5 pairs of stars you didn’t know played together as kids
1. Steff Evans & Josh Adams
When the pair lined up as fresh-faced 11-year-olds in the same schoolboys team at the Millennium Stadium, only in their wildest of dreams could they have imagined they would be back there playing for their country in a Six Nations match in front of 74,500 fans.
Yet that childhood fantasy became reality in 2018 when the former classmates reunited in Warren Gatland’s new-look side that thumped Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff. Evans currently turns out for Scarlets while Adams joined Cardiff Blues from Worcester in 2019.
