Harlequins confirm Tabai Matson exit

Harlequins have confirmed that director of performance development Tabai Matson will leave the club at the end of the season.

Matson joined Harlequins as head coach in 2021, the season after they won the Gallagher Premiership, but transitioned to his latest role last year, where he has worked across the men’s and women’s teams. He will focus on the Harlequins Women's team until the end of the season.

The announcement by Quins comes just days after they suffered a humbling 52-7 loss to London rivals Saracens at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The loss leaves the club in fifth place in the league.

In his first season in charge at the Stoop, the former Fiji international guided Quins to a third-place finish in the league, losing to Saracens in the semi-finals. They finished in sixth place last season before his change of roles.

Harlequins have specified that they will not be recruiting a replacement for Matson's role.

Matson said after his exit was announced: “I have loved my time at Harlequins and have enjoyed the strong culture at the club which is something I feel is crucially important to the success of a club.

"The time is right for me to look to develop my coaching career elsewhere, but I will always retain my passion for Harlequins.

"I am excited to support the women’s team across the coming months and push up the table.”

Quins director of rugby Billy Millard added: “Tabai has brought huge knowledge and passion to his roles at Harlequins. He has infectious energy and positivity and he has built friendships and collaboration across the club and our partners.

"We are really happy that Tabai will continue to support our women’s programme until the end of the season and we wish him the very best for his longer term future coaching career, he will always be a welcome friend at The Stoop.”