Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Japan returnee Charlie Matthews gets second shot at Harlequins

(Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Harlequins have re-signed Charlie Matthews, the second row who left the club four years ago and spent 2021 in Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 6’7 Matthews plied his trade in Japan with Kamaishi Seawaves, having spent the previous three seasons with Gallagher Premiership rivals Wasps.

The 31-year-old has played in the Champions Cup on 27 occasions between Quins and Wasps and amassed 163 appearances in his first nine-year stint at the club between 2009 and 2018.

Video Spacer

“I’m going grey” – Ian Foster

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:33
Loaded: 21.14%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:33
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    “I’m going grey” – Ian Foster

    WATCH MORE

    Matthews also won England Saxons honours after also representing his country at age-group level.

    “I’ve had a great experience in Japan and feel recharged and ready to play in the top flight of English and European rugby again.

    “I was proud to represent Quins on over 150 occasions and make some fantastic memories. I can’t wait to add many more.”

    Head Coach Tabai Matson said: “It’s always a boost to welcome back a member of the Harlequins family. Charlie is a Club centurion and knows what it means to be part of the Harlequins Way, which is a factor that has been at the core of the Club’s impressive form over the last couple of seasons.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Charlie brings a wealth of experience from both the English and Japanese games and will be a great asset to our locking options this year. I know our fantastic supporters will be as thrilled as we are to see Charlie back in the Quarters.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    South Africa v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    France v New Zealand | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    England v Wales | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

    Lions Share | Episode 3

    Zimbabwe vs Kenya | Rugby Africa Cup Semi Final | Full Match Replay

    USA vs Spain | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    Portugal vs Ireland | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    P
    PM 59 minutes ago
    Why Henry Pollock's x-factor could earn him a Lions Test start

    Nick,

    I am a long suffering England fan, who has had to endure watching 4 years of dull rugby, poor selections and painful defeats. Steve Borthwick talks about GPS and picks squads by numbers and then we put in a poor performance on the pitch - it’s been a consistent trend.


    Something changed in the Six Nations and we totally changed our style (literally overnight) and played some really good footie, which finally felt like positive rugby for a change.


    Genge has regained his pore-Covid form and is looking back to his best and is head and shoulders above Porter.


    Chessum has had a good year and hasn’t played a poor International game this season.


    Tom Curry was outstanding in the 6 Nations but they have been playing him at 6, wheras he is better at 7 and is lethal at the breakdown.


    Tom Willis was brought into the starting team at 8 and has been one of the best England players over the last year, who should have been on this Lions tour at 8. Earl had his best game since 2020 last week - not sure 1 game warrants Lions selection over a poor combination side and he is certainly second choice for his club 7 country behind Willis.


    Pollock will be a good player but like all young emerging players, he is inconsistent and can go quiet in games, which is why Curry should be the starter at 7. He brings energy to games, which is why he is good from the bench but there is an argument to say he is the 5th best England openside (Curry x2, Underhill & Earl are currently better) but will improve over the next 5 years. We just need to stop the media building him up for a fall, let him play and develop and you will see a sensational Henry Pollock for the Lions in 4 years time.


    Lions will be too powerful over 80 mins, so doesn’t really matter who they pick. Just please don’t put too much hype on Pollock. His 20 mins of International rugby going into this tour were positive but the media caused a frenzy and no other player would be selected on this basis.


    Let’s enjoy the rugby and give Pollock the space and time he requires.

    100 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Why the Lions have no excuses and Owen Farrell should be in the first Test 23' Mick Cleary: 'Why the Lions have no excuses and Owen Farrell should be in the first Test 23'