Quins have identified their top target for DoR role

With Chris Boyd arriving at Northampton Saints and Alan Solomons’ stay as Worcester Warriors’ director of rugby extended, the vacant position at Harlequins is the last top job to be filled for the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership season.

The club made the decision to part ways with current director of rugby John Kingston earlier this month, albeit with the long-time Quins coach carrying on his duties until the end of the season.

Despite being in the early stages of their search, RugbyPass understands the club to be keen on current Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who guided the Super Rugby franchise to their first title in nine seasons last year.

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It was Robertson’s first campaign in charge of the franchise, having previously coached Canterbury and the New Zealand U20 side.

His side won plaudits for not only the exciting and clinical nature of their play, but also the efficiency of their forward play and their fundamental skills, and it has not taken long for pundits to dub Robertson a future All Blacks coach.

The lure of a coach like that is understandable for Quins, but whether or not their interest is reciprocated by Robertson remains to be seen. One factor which could influence Robertson is the recent partnership struck between Quins and New Zealand Rugby.

If Robertson is keen to expand his coaching experience but stay on a track towards higher honours with the All Blacks, Quins could be the optimum destination for him in the northern hemisphere.

The cooperation agreement between Quins and NZR is designed to facilitate the sharing of playing and coaching expertise between the two entities, although losing one of the best and brightest coaches in New Zealand may not be what NZR had in mind when they forged the agreement.

Robertson is under contract with NZR until 2019, so any deal would be dependent on Quins paying compensation and/or NZR agreeing to release him from the final year of his deal, which would see him be able to join up with the Londoners in August, at the conclusion of the current Super Rugby season.