Harlequins have looked to a former player to fill in one of their gaps at second row, as Charlie Matthews returns to the club where he played 163 times.
Matthews, 31, started 109 of those games in a nine-year spell that stretched from 2009 to 2018 before heading to Wasps, with Matt Symons going in the opposite direction.
But Symons’ retirement has left a hole in the lock position for the Londoners, with Matthews the apparent key.
Let go by Wasps in 2020, Matthews has spent the last season at Japanese first tier club Kamaishi Seawaves, but will be back at the Stoop for this campaign.
In his time away from the club, Matthews has watched his former side regain a winning feeling, first coming fourth and clinching the Premiership title and then reaching third before losing the Premiership semi-final.
And Matthews was excited to return to a club where he was for their first Premiership win in 2012, and two semi-finals in 2013 and 2014.
Matthews said: “I’m delighted to re-sign with Harlequins. This is the place my career first started and I’m looking forward to coming home to The Stoop.
“I’ve had a great experience in Japan and feel recharged and ready to play in the top flight of English and European rugby again.
“I was proud to represent Quins on over 150 occasions and make some fantastic memories. I can’t wait to add many more.”
Head Coach Tabai Matson said: “It’s always a boost to welcome back a member of the Harlequins family. Charlie is a Club centurion and knows what it means to be part of the Harlequins Way, which is a factor that has been at the core of the Club’s impressive form over the last couple of seasons.
“Charlie brings a wealth of experience from both the English and Japanese games and will be a great asset to our locking options this year. I know our fantastic supporters will be as thrilled as we are to see Charlie back in the Quarters.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login