1
'He plays a positive brand of rugby': Harlequins sign Italian international Tommaso Allan
By Sam Smith
Harlequins have signed Italian international Tommaso Allan, the 61-cap Azzurri out-half who has spent the last five seasons at Benetton in the Guinness PRO14 having previously been at French club Perpignan.
“I’m filled with excitement signing for Harlequins," said Allan. "Playing for a club like Quins is what a lot of players dream of. It’s a prestigious team with lots of history. The club’s style of rugby is similar to how I like to play.
"It’s an exciting team with an attacking mindset, which mirrors the way I like to go about my rugby. The team seems to have a big fan base. Hopefully, they will welcome me in with open arms.
“It will be nice to link up with Scott Steele again, who I played with a lot at the Scottish age-grades. I’m genuinely really excited to give it my all with Harlequins and look forward to pushing for some silverware at The Stoop. I know my wife and I are really looking forward to moving to London and embracing a new challenge.”
Now 28 and a sub when Italy visited Twickenham last February in the Guinness Six Nations, Allan made his Test debut in 2013 as a 19-year-old, arriving from the bench against Australia. He had previously represented Scotland at U17, U18 and U20 age-grade levels while part of the Wasps academy.
Harlequins general manager Billy Millard added: “We’re really pleased to announce that Tommy will join us next season. He plays a positive brand of rugby and the type of game that we think will complement the Harlequins way well.
“Tommy allows us great depth at fly-half and as a proven international he brings fantastic pedigree to what is a talented backs unit at the club. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming him to the team and seeing him settle into the playing group."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Zebre put up for sale by Italian Rugby Federation
3
Stuart Lancaster 'wants out' of Racing 92 and eyeing Euro giants job
4
Henry Arundell lined up for early England homecoming
5
Latest Comments
This would be great news for England, but I would have doubts about whether he deserves a hybrid contract. He's not as good as Feyi-Waboso or Freeman, and he might be behind Roebuck and Sleightholme in the pecking order. Behind them Hendy and Elliott are probably at a similar level to Arundell.
Go to commentsNothing to do with fair or unfair for me. Purely about results & the manner in which the ABs were losing. I was optimistic in 2020 but only 3 wins from 6 tests played soon dented that. By the time Schmidt & Ryan were recruited in 2022, the ABs & Foster were a laughing stock & their win rate was in the toilet. Thankfully Schmidt & Ryan helped turn the ABs fortunes somewhat.
The biggest issue I had with Cane as Skipper was his absence for nearly 50% of tests played. Through injury. Buck Shelford wrote an article on this very issue in 2021, suggesting Cane should relinquish the captaincy & concentrate on availability when fit.
Go to comments