Steve Diamond was reportedly in line for a swift Gallagher Prem return just days before being brutally axed by Newcastle Falcons.
The 56-year-old joined the Falcons as consultant director of rugby in January 2024 but was shown the door earlier this month — a move that stunned many within the game.
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HARLEQUINS EYE EXPERIENCED OPERATOR
According to RugbyPass, Harlequins have been linked with a move for the veteran boss as they look to fill the gap left by Danny Wilson, who recently joined Steve Tandy’s backroom team with Wales.
Quins have already shuffled their deck, promoting Jason Gilmore to Senior Coach and bringing in Toby Booth as a Forwards Consultant. But there’s still a sense at the Stoop that something — or someone — is missing.
“EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED”
Rugby transfer insider Neil Fissler believes Diamond could be the perfect fit to steady the ship in South West London.
“Quins need someone like Diamond to get hold of the dressing room and lead it — just like he did at Sale, Worcester and Newcastle. These are clubs nobody would touch with a barge pole, and he made them competitive,” said Fissler.
POWER VACUUM AT THE STOOP
For years, Harlequins’ culture was driven by a powerful group of senior players — Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown, Danny Care, and Joe Marler.
With those figures now retired or stepping away from frontline action, a leadership void has opened up inside the Quins dressing room. The club’s young core still boast plenty of flair, but they lack that steely edge that defined the old guard.
That’s exactly the sort of environment where Diamond thrives — bringing discipline, accountability and a no-nonsense edge that could restore Quins’ bite.
WOULD HE FIT IN?
With Gilmore, Booth, Nick Evans, Adam Jones, and Gerard Mullen already in place, Diamond wouldn’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, he could take a director of rugby-style role, providing leadership above the current coaching group and tightening standards throughout the squad.
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