Quins must ensure they can finance big changes

HARLEQUINS have not exactly hit the ground running since they celebrated their 150th season last year.

Despite their raft of England stars they are languishing in the bottom tier of the Premiership table, and a vow from the squad that they would give outgoing rugby director John Kingston a rousing farewell has yet to materialise.

The latest news is that they have grand designs to get out of the trough they are in.

There is a search in place for big name, big bucks managerial and coaching appointments, with a new director of rugby and head coach.

Whether they go to New Zealand for the new brains trust remains to be seen, but whatever the plan it is going to be a hugely expensive business.

Not only will the Quins bean-counters have the new head men to fund, they also face a serious payoff for Kingston, who was given a two- year contract extension in January, along with head coach Mark Mapletoft and forwards coach Graham Rowntree.

The Kingston element alone is rumoured to be taking £700,000 out of the Quins coffers, and if Mapletoft or Rowntree follow him out of the door it will be substantially more.

In the meantime, the club have been considering embryonic plans to expand the Stoop to a 30,000 capacity.

Given the current state of play they would be well advised to make sure they can continue filling the ground’s current 15,000 seats before taking the project any further.

Unless, of course, money is no object.