Erasmus link to Quins job

HARLEQUINS have added World Cup winner Rassie Erasmus to their shortlist for a new coach.

The club are looking for Paul Gustard’s successor after his contract was terminated last month.

It Is understood early, informal conversations have taken place with the Erasmus camp, although Quins will struggle to land the 48-year-old as he is under contract until 2023.

Erasmus stepped down as Springboks head coach after the 2019 World Cup triumph and took up a role as SARU director of rugby. In recent months, Quins have been working with Gareth Southgate’s close associate, Owen Eastwood, to carry out an internal review.

The club’s general manager Billy Millard yesterday told Quins Live: ‘A formal process starts in a couple of weeks. We get a lot of names coming forward but at the moment it’s just informal. We’re clear about the type of person we want and we look forward to getting into that in the next few weeks.’

Meanwhile, Worcester are understood to be interested in signing Gloucester No 9 Willi Heinz.

FRANCE will undergo further Covid testing today in a bid to save next Sunday’s game with Scotland.

Gabin Villiere and Mohamed Haouas returned positive tests yesterday, joining Antoine Dupont in isolation, and a revised list of 31 players will be named for the clash.