Harlequins swoop for four Irish players

RUGBY: Harlequins, having spoken over the past number of months, to Leinster's Ben Willis, Andy Dunne and Simon Keogh, as well as Connacht utility back Gavin Duffy, yesterday announced that they had signed all four Irish players for next season.

The English Premiership club have also taken on London Irish and England loosehead prop Mike Worsley and Tongan full back/centre Josh Taumalolo.

Worsley, capped during this season's Six Nations Championship, will join Quins from London Irish.

And Taumalolo, who has played in 26 Tests, has decided on a move to London from Welsh club Bridgend.

Quins also confirmed that Lions and Ireland hooker Keith Wood was to retire from club rugby, while Perpignan-bound England star Dan Luger had rejected a new contract.

Quins have also moved quickly to renew the contracts of several players, with hooker Tani Fuga clinching a three-year deal, while front-row forwards Jon Dawson, Ceri Jones and James Hayter have secured two-year contracts.

Centre Mel Deane, recruited last season from Sale, has agreed a two-year deal, and lock Bill Davison and flanker Pat Sanderson both signed on for another year.

Former Irish schools captain Duffy, at 21 , has played five times for Ireland A and is rated as one of the most talented young players in the country. However, he started in less than half of Connacht's matches this year due to injury. He is joining his new club on a two-year contract, as are Willis and Dunne.

Scrumhalf Willis, (26), graduated through the New Zealand age groups before moving to Ireland and representing the Ireland A side while 23-year-old outhalf Dunne has represented Ireland Schools, Ireland Under 19s and Under 21s.

Keogh, who can play scrumhalf and wing, is 27 and is joining on a one-year contract.

The signings see a move away from the IRFU's stated aims of keeping the better young players in the country, although with the threat hanging over Connacht and the other players finding difficulty in holding down regular places with Leinster, it comes as little surprise.

"We have been in talks with all four players over the last number of months and they will be available to play for Harlequins from the beginning of next season," said a club spokesman.

England international Phil Christophers meanwhile has agreed a two-year deal with Leeds and Bristol skipper Garath Archer is to rejoin Newcastle.