Before the new season gets underway on Friday 25 September, Rugby World\u00a0is previewing every PREM<\/a> and URC<\/a> team\u2019s chances. Keep coming back to the site in the lead up to the big kick-off for more.<\/p>\n Harlequins discussion points<\/p>\n In last year\u2019s preview, we said Quins had been treading water for a few years. In truth, they almost sank. Head coach Danny Wilson left the club weeks before the season started, leaving the keys to defence head Jason Gilmore.<\/p>\n They soon languished second from bottom, with empty seats at The Stoop expressing the fanbase\u2019s dismay at proceedings in the boardroom. So, Quins fans, shall we strike off last year and start anew?<\/p>\n Signing PREM-winning Saints captain George Furbank<\/a> will add sparkle. There have been astute additions to the management, too, none more so than attack coach Brad Cooper, who joins from Super Rugby-winning Hurricanes.<\/p>\n On the down side, captain Alex Dombrandt<\/a> will miss a huge chunk of the campaign after an ACL injury.<\/p>\n So often last season, looks of resignation were the order of the day in TW2. But any team with Marcus Smith<\/a>, Cadan Murley<\/a>, Chandler Cunningham-South and Rodrigo Isgr\u00f3<\/a> in its ranks should be challenging for the play-offs. \u201cSomething I\u2019ve picked up from last year is that if we\u2019re on the front foot we\u2019re a good team,\u201d Gilmore says, \u201cbut on the back foot I\u2019d like to see us absorb pressure better.\u201d<\/p>\n Key player<\/p>\n Get that front-foot ball and the back-line is causing damage. To do so, you need a rock-solid pack, so Fin Baxter\u2019s return from a foot injury can\u2019t come soon enough. The loosehead prop is one of 25 players to receive an enhanced EPS contract for the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n Expect England prop Fin Baxter\u2019s return from injury to have a major impact on Quins\u2019 pack (Eddie Keogh\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n One to watch<\/p>\n Scrum-half Lucas Friday, 20, guided Quins to a surprise win in La Rochelle last season and will feature more frequently this term. He\u2019s highly rated by the likes of Danny Care and Ben Youngs.<\/p>\n Coaches\u2019 box<\/p>\n The last six months has seen Quins assemble a new-look group. Robbie Deans (performance director), Cooper, Jordan Turner-Hall (defence), Sean Long (skills) and Rob Hunter (forwards) now complement Gilmore, Adam Jones (scrum) and Matt Ferguson (transition).<\/p>\n Harlequins 2026-27 prediction<\/p>\n The lower half again but better. Champions Cup qualification is a minimum for The Entertainers.<\/p>\n Harlequins 2026-27 odds<\/p>\n 33-1<\/p>\n Vital statistic<\/p>\n Last season was the first time Harlequins finished in the bottom two since they were relegated in 2004-05.<\/p>\n George Furbank has left PREM champions Northampton Saints for the Stoop (David Rogers\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n Harlequins signings<\/p>\n George Furbank (Northampton Saints) Harlequins departures<\/p>\n George Turner (Newcastle Red Bulls) Download the digital edition<\/a>\u00a0of Rugby World straight to your tablet or\u00a0subscribe to the print edition<\/a>\u00a0to get the magazine delivered to your door.<\/p>\n Follow Rugby World on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter\/X<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t![\"Harlequins'](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GettyImages-2243384112.jpg\")
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\nJames Dun (Bristol Bears)
\nSampie Swiegers (Pumas)
\nHarry Johnson-Holmes (Western Force)<\/p>\n
\nJoe Launchbury (retired)
\nStephan Lewies (Sharks)
\nJarrod Evans (Cardiff)
\nJamie Benson (Ulster)
\nJack Poorey-Palmer (Tigers)
\nJoe Jones (Worcester Warriors)
\nJake Murray (Exeter Chiefs)
\nMax Green (Oundle)
\nHayden Hyde (Ealing)
\nTom Lawday (released)
\nCameron Doak (released)<\/p>\n