Nomad Herron hopes Quins is journey’s end
INDOMITABLE new Harlequins No.10 Brett Herron aims to prove why England prospect Marcus Smith is not the only show in town after fighting his way back to the top.
Herron, 23, was snapped up by Quins from Jersey this summer after helping the islanders to their highest league finish of fourth – a starring role that earned him a place in The Rugby
Paper’s dream alongside colleagues Jerry Sexton, Will Homer and Leroy Van Dam.
Hampered by two potentially career-ending ACL injuries before he reached the age of 20, Herron’s rugby journey has encompassed spells at London Irish, Bath and Ulster.
The Johannesburg-born fly-half explained: “I came to England aged eight and joined the London Irish academy system, then went to Bath before I left Wellington College. I had close ties with Toby Booth and Neal Hatley, who moved from Irish to Bath, and they were brilliant for me.
“Sadly, my years at Bath were injury-ridden. I had two ACL reconstructions which were pretty tough to take and of the two years I had there, I was only fit for six months.
“If I’d been injury-free I probably wouldn’t have moved but it got to the point where I just needed a fresh start and not be seen as someone who was always injured. It was a good opportunity at Ulster but while I did get some game time, it didn’t quite work out.
“That’s why I made the move to Jersey last year. With their track record of helping guys get back into the Premiership or other higher leagues, it looked like a good place to go and Harvey Biljon and the coaches did a fantastic job helping me to hit top form.
“We achieved our highest league finish and highest number of points and it was a nice surprise to be in the Championship dream team. Harlequins obviously saw something they liked and I’m hoping that will put me in good stead for years now.”
Herron is eager to make up for lost time. With only Smith and Scotland international James Lang standing between him and a first team starting jersey, he said: “That was a big draw in my decisionmaking process and it’ll be good for us to push each other hard. Langy and Smithy have both been brilliant in helping me get up to speed in the first month.
“We do a lot of extras together and it’s been great to get a bond going with them from the off. It’ll be really good for the three of us to fight it out.”
Herron is now relishing the chance to be coached by former New Zealand No.10 Nick Evans, who is in charge of Quins’ attack.
Herron said: “Nick’s knowledge, experience and the aura he imparts is outstanding. When he speaks your concentration is there straight away and you’ve just got to absorb everything he says.
“The new guys had a stadium tour at the Stoop and to see his last match kit and boots and his name on the wall made you realise what a legend he is around here.
“Having grown up watching him on TV, day one with him was pretty surreal, but you feel like you’re working with someone special and so far it’s been good.”
Seeing Herron succeed in the Premiership would provide a further endorsement for Jersey, who in recent years have helped Harry Williams (Exeter), Gary Graham (Newcastle) and Jake Woolmore (Bristol), along with many others, find a route to the top.