HARLEQUINS

LAST SEASON: 10th. COACH: Paul Gustard

KEY INS: Nick Auterac (Bath), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Paul Lasike (Utah), Matt Symons (Wasps), Ben Tapuai (Bath) KEY OUTS: Adam Jones (retired, Harlequins’ scrum coach), Charlie Matthews (Wasps), Jamie Roberts (Bath). STAR MAN: James Horwill. If ever Quins needed a captain and tight forward to step up it is now. BOSS’S BOLTER — Paul

Gustard: ‘Marcus Smith. I’ve got to make this kid a better player than he was last year. He is still pressing his claim to get an international jersey and to do that he has to improve.’ FAN VERDICT — Joe

Bracher: ‘It’s all about the impact Gustard can make. It will take time but will we be worse than last season? Not by the end of it, but there will be bumps in the road. Many are tipping us to go down, but a strong coaching structure will make a big difference. Sixth is the goal!’ SPORTSMAIL’S VERDICT: 11th. Too big to go down? What is certain is the ills of a six-year decline must be addressed.