EXCLUSIVE: Harlequins have Rowntree's replacement and he's been poached

RugbyPass has learnt that Harlequins' new forwards coach is current Ealing Trailfinders head coach Alex Codling, with the former second-row set to be announced in the coming days.

Codling, who has been a big part of Ealing’s rise in the past two seasons, will replace Graham Rowntree at the Twickenham-based club, with Rowntree and the club going their separate ways last week.

Codling spent three seasons at Harlequins as a player, during which he picked up his solitary England cap, and will be returning to familiar ground at the Stoop, where he will hope to improve an under-performing pack. He is widely regarded by figures within the game as one of the top lineout coaches currently around.

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As stands, it looks as though he will work with Adam Jones, with the Welshman maintaining his remit of coaching the club’s scrum.

The move continues the shakeup at Quins, which has seen Paul Gustard and Billy Millard brought in as Head of Rugby and General Manager respectively and Rowntree’s departure is not expected to the be the last, with Nick Easter also likely to leave his role as defence coach.

Prior to joining Ealing, Codling had coached at Rosslyn Park, Rotherham Titans, London Scottish, Barking and Ebbw Vale, making this his first venture into the top tier of club rugby and an opportunity that could not be turned down.

His departure leaves Ealing with a sizeable hole to fill and, with preseason having already started, there is limited time and options to fill the role.

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