Exclusive: Harlequins eyeing up electric scrum-half addition

Recruitment plans for next season are well underway in the Gallagher Premiership and RugbyPass sources understand that Harlequins are leading the race to snap up Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson.

Simpson has been unhappy in Coventry since losing his starting spot at the club to Dan Robson and is keen to make the move back to London.

Ealing Trailfinders, who play just a stone’s throw from Simpson’s old school, St Benedict’s, were close to luring him to the Championship last season in what would have been a considerable coup, but they were unable to meet the financial demands to see Simpson leave his Wasps deal early.

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That deal expires at the end of this season and it seems as though Quins have stolen a march on their rivals to secure the electric scrum-half’s signature.

All five of the club’s scrum-halves – Danny Care, Charlie Mulchrone, Dave Lewis, Calum Waters and Niall Saunders – are in contract years and although Quins will be keen to retain a number of them, the opportunity to bring in a player as dynamic as Simpson looks to be too good of an opportunity to turn down.

RugbyPass also understands that Bath, Gloucester and Northampton Saints could all be in the market for new options at nine next season, but with Simpson’s desire to return to London and Quins’ potential need at half-back, the Twickenham-based outfit are in pole position to recruit the once-capped England international.

With Danny Care turning 32 this season and potentially eyeing up international retirement after the Rugby World Cup next year, there will inevitably be interest in the scrum-half from both France and Japan, so acting quickly to secure a viable alternative should Care move on is a smart move from Quins.