Harlequins sign former England Sevens Player of the Year on short-term deal

Harlequins have announced the short-term signing of former England Sevens star Richard de Carpentier. The former Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors man has penned a three-month contract following a successful trial period with the club.

De Carpentier, 30, made the switch to the seven-man game at the start of the decade, featuring in 43 tournaments and 200 matches for England, and was named RPA England Sevens Player of the Year in 2017.

De Carpentier said: "I’m delighted to sign for Harlequins. To have the opportunity to come into such a great club has been fantastic, I’ve been made to feel really welcome by the entire squad and staff.

"I’m excited to bring the strengths of my sevens game into fifteens and get stuck in over the next few months."

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: "It’s great to be able to welcome a player of Chippy’s pedigree into our squad over the next three months. He is a great athlete who is well known to us through watching him play in the world series and to Chaz (Mulchrone) who played with him at Worcester.

"He has impressed us with his attitude, positivity and contribution in training over the last three weeks and we are pleased to offer him an opportunity to transition back into the 15’s game

"We’re excited to see what Richard can add to the squad on and off the field during his time at the Club."

Earlier on Wednesday Harelquins centre Andre Esterhuizen was handed a four-week suspension after he was sent off during their Gallagher Premiership victory over Gloucester.