Harlequins sign Wales hooker Baldwin

Harlequins have announced their fourth new signing in two days with Welsh international hooker Scott Baldwin joining the Club for the 2019/20 season.

He's linking up with the Gallagher Premiership club after 10 years with Ospreys, where he has made over 120 appearances.

On Monday Quins announced the signings two Argentinians for the 2019/20 season, scrum-half Martin Landajo and loosehead Santiago Garcia Botta. Michele Campagnaro signing was announced earlier on Tuesday.

Baldwin, who has 34 caps for his country, said: “There is something special going on at Harlequins at the moment and I am looking forward to starting my Gallagher Premiership career there next season.

“I have met with Gussy and the staff at Harlequins and been very impressed with the winning mentality that they have installed there.

The hooker, who was part of the Ospreys’ Pro 14 winning side in 2012, added: “I am going there to win trophies and I know they have the squad and the mindset to do it.”

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “Scott is an excellent signing for the Club. He has had an outstanding career for club and country so far in Wales and I am very pleased he is joining us next season.

“We have followed him in the Pro14 and he has impressed with his attitude, his humour and all-round technical ability. We know he will be a great fit and a key member of the squad as we look to improve and fulfil our ambitions.

“He is a big man, who excels in the set-piece and is abrasive both sides of the ball around the field. He will add leadership qualities to our group and brings a wealth of experience to the squad.

“We look forward to welcoming Scott and his young family to the club."

The 30-year old former Bridgend hooker has been with the Ospreys since being offered the chance to step up from the Principality Welsh Premiership at the start of 2009.

Having made his debut as a replacement against Leinster at the Liberty Stadium in March of that year, his first start came in October 2011. The 11/12 campaign was very much a breakthrough year for Baldwin as he made 13 appearances, coming off the bench in the RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final and final victories over Munster and Leinster.

His 100th appearance was in a 21-13 European Cup win over Clermont Auvergne and he currently stands on 161 appearances, scoring nine tries and Baldwin said it was a wrench to leave the club.

“I’m really sad to be moving on from my home Region, where I have so many memories and friends, but it’s the right time for me to take up a new challenge in a new environment.

“While I’m looking forward to experiencing Premiership rugby with a great club, we’ve still got everything to play for here at the Ospreys over the last four weeks of the regular season. We have to aim to end the season on a high and I want to help the team secure a top three finish, securing Champions Cup rugby and extending the season into May.

“This will always be my home Region and I’ll always be an Ospreys fan.”

Baldwin infamously spent some times on the sidelines in 2017 after being bitten by Lion while visiting a safari in Bloemfontein ahead of the Ospreys’ Guinness Pro?14 clash with the Cheetahs.