Gustard’s galvanised Quins like Conor did - Evans
PAUL Gustard-inspired Harlequins are building to a new glory era that could match their trophy-winning exploits of 2011 and 2012, says Nick Evans.
Former fly-half Evans, now attack coach, was the club’s playmaker-in-chief when Quins mounted the winner’s podium by claiming the Challenge Cup, followed by the Premiership a year later.
With a Challenge Cup quarter-final place secured this season and improving Quins third in the Premiership, Evans said: “There are definitely some parallels and similarities to that period when we achieved some pretty decent success.
“After Bloodgate in 2009 we had a tough year, but Conor O’Shea came in and it was something new that galvanised us. All we needed was belief and, as a young, growing side with plenty of enthusiasm, that was something we quickly cottoned on to.
“Paul’s come in now and kind of galvanised us in a similar way. He’s brought us together, given us something to really go for and we’re building for that.
“It takes a while but we’re working very hard as a group of players, coaches and backroom staff and where we are right now feels very similar to seven or eight years ago.
“There’s still a long way to go but there’s certainly a lot more potential to get out of this group and hopefully we can do that. It was similar in 2010/11 when we won the Challenge Cup and went on to win the big one a year later.”
Quins host Worcester and Bristol in the Premiership over the next fortnight and are boosted by the availability of England’s most-capped No.9, Danny Care. Overlooked by England since November’s Test against Japan, Care has been outstanding for Quins during their surge into title contention. Evans said: “His response to being left out has been brilliant.
“The important thing for Danny is to play well for us and he’s been fantastic. He’s been lethal; his passing’s been crisp and his kicking’s been good as well. We now want to keep challenging him and give him the environment to get back into that England team because, believe me, he’s still not out of it.”