JOHN KINGSTON
Former Quins DoR pleased to see the team bearing fruit for Gustard
Harlequins are currently riding the Paul Gustard wave, enjoying arguably their best season since they won the title in 2012.
Speaking publicly about his departure from The Stoop for the first time, former DoR John Kingston insists he has no axe to grind with Gustard, who is making his influence felt as Quins stride confidently towards a first play-off place in five years. Kingston told The
Rugby Paper: “Leaving last summer was not ideal because you set out to do a job, but nothing would give me more pleasure than to see individuals and the club succeeding.
“The decision was made and I won’t deny it was a pretty difficult last four or five weeks at the end of last season, but when I saw it was Paul coming in, I thought the fit was excellent.
“Not because I once played with his father, Steve, at Gosforth or that we both support Newcastle United, but because he was a fresh face and I knew he’d give the necessary direction to the coaching staff and that the players would come on leaps and bounds.
“After finishing sixth in 2016/17, which pleased me, we stalled last season and it’s pretty clear why because so many players were unavailable.
“But what’s pleasing me is seeing the likes of James Chisholm, Jack Clifford and Joe Marchant injury free and having a great run of rugby, while the academy continues to produce and guys like Gabriel Ibitoye, Cadan Murley and Marcus Smith are flourishing.”
Kingston, right, added: “I’m also delighted for the signings I made for this season – Matt Symons, Max Crumpton, Nathan Earle, Ben Tapuai and Alex Dombrandt – because they’re all being highly influential and are nailing down regular first team opportunities.
“I’m pleased for the coaches, too, because Nick Evans, Mark Mapletoft and Adam Jones had a hard time last year and I felt all the criticism was misdirected. Again, nothing would give me more pleasure than to see them advance their careers.”
While Kingston has no immediate plans to reenter coaching – “although you never say never,” he says – he intends to remain involved in rugby.
He explained: “I’m in the process of setting up a sports consultancy with two business associates and believe that with all my experience, I can offer a huge amount of advice technically, tactically and strategically.
“Leaving Harlequins has given me an opportunity to step back, spend more time with my family and reassess things.
“In coaching you’re on a treadmill for so long, but I love rugby, love sport and this will give me an opportunity to stay involved on a new level.
“We’ll look at rugby and other sports and we will aim to help organisations or individuals. I’m feeling much better about myself now and I’m excited about the future – and if I could see Harlequins being successful as well, so much the better.”
Kingston believes dumped England trio Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown and Danny Care will prove themselves worthy of England recalls in time for the World Cup.
Kingston insists the multicapped trio will make unassailable cases for inclusion in what he believes to be one of the best Harlequins squads ever assembled.
Kingston added: “The reasons why those guys are not involved in the England team at the moment are varied but I believe Chris, Mike and Danny will make the World Cup.
“They’re wonderful players.
That’s not me being nostalgic, it’s genuine in terms of the quality of rugby they’re playing and they also have incredible experience at the highest level, something England will need in their squad if they’re going to conquer the world.
“Although they’re not playing Test rugby at the moment, they’re proven internationals and to have them available is terrific for Harlequins – a bit like the golden period between 2011 and 2013.
“I said when I left last summer that, with the recruitment we’d done, this was the strongest Harlequins squad I’d ever seen in my 17 years and, with the energy Paul Gustard has brought, I’ve no doubt that they’ll have a major shot at the Premiership title next season.
“They may even surprise people by doing it this year but either way they’ll be a major force to be reckoned with over the next 18 months.”