Halfpenny will be great for young guys – Nick Evans
Harlequins attack coach Nick Evans is confident his squad of young prospects can rise to the challenge of filling the sizeable holes left by the departures of Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen and Louis Lynagh as they build ahead of their opening league match at Sale next Sunday.
Star winger Cadan Murley has picked up an injury but Evans believes new signing Leigh Halfpenny can help the youngsters kick on.
“It’s a big void that Andre, Louis and Cadan with his injury will leave, so guys have the opportunity to step up,” said Evans.
“In the centres Bryn (Bradley), and Lenny (Anyanwu) last week against Scottish, Luke Northmore to come back and then will Oscar (Beard), there is big opportunities for those guys to state their claim.
“Then on the wing there is a young cohort coming through Roma (Zheng), Cassius (Cleaves), Nick David and Tyrone (Green) and our new Argentinian signing Rodrigo Isgro, all players who can put their hand up.”
Defensive Improvement
Quins showed their attacking prowess late on in last weekend’s pre-season game against Scottish but the most noticeable improvement was zero points conceded.
On this season’s new appointment of Jason Gilmore as defence coach, Evans said: “It’s really important with a new defence coach coming in he gets time to in bed his principles and get time on the field.”
Part of fine-tuning combinations involves the embedding of new signings into the side and getting used to the Quins style of play.
Halfpenny made his debut against Scottish and Evans said: “It was great to see him out there. Experience is a real big thing and the kid’s played British Lions, 100 Tests and his wealth of knowledge is going to be vital for our young guys so I think he will be great for us.”
The experience of the 35-year-old in the back three will be vital this year in the development of Cleaves and Zheng as young players taking their step into the first team this season.
The goal for Harlequins is top four as Evans added: “We set ourselves that target that if we can get in that top four, it gives us an opportunity in one off games that we feel we are really dangerous.”
After just missing out on the play-offs last year, Evans knows just how competitive the Premiership will be again this season.
“I think the league’s going to be really contested all the way through like it was last year, even more so this year and look we will have to take it game by game and in blocks and see how we go.”
