HARLEQUINS will go into their 150th anniversary season on the crest of the wave with five England players returning to the club from Australia having made history.
Captain Danny Care, Chris Robshaw, Marland Yarde, Mike Brown and Jack Clifford all featured in the three test series whitewash of the Wallabies that was completed with a 44-41 win in Sydney on Saturday, while prop Kyle Sinckler was in the touring party.
The club, who drew Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Francais and Timisoara Saracens in Pool Five of the European Challenge Cup this week, was founded as Hampstead Football Club in 1866 before changing their name two years later.
Flashback: Quins have recreated the above team shot from 1896 to mark their 150th anniversary this season
More than 140 years Quins were crowned Premiership champions in 2012 under former director of rugby Conor O’Shea and they will be bidding to win the second tier European Rugby tournament for a fourth time this term.
The club will host a series of commemorative events through the season and have commissioned an especially designed retro kit from manufacturers adidas to mark the milestone.
Key moment: Quins full back Mike Brown celebrates scopring a try - set up by former St George's College student Anthony Watson, right - in Saturday's 44-41 win over Australia
With director of rugby John Kingston promoted to the top job, Quins chief exec David Ellis believes this year could be a natural turning point in the club’s history.
“We are very proud of our rich heritage and are looking forward to celebrating that throughout the season and bringing it to life for the whole Harlequins family,” he said.
Big cup: Chris Robshaw with the Cook Cup after England's series whitewash of Australia
“It feels like a new era for us with our five-year plans now firmly in place and John Kingston as our new director of rugby.
“We are very excited for the season ahead and bringing our past, present and future together as we continue to build our legacy and celebrate, once again, this amazing club.”
Captain Care added: “We are really looking forward to the forthcoming season and working with John, whilst representing the quarters and doing our supporters and the club proud as we celebrate this milestone.”
Winners are grinners: Chris Robshaw, centre, with England captain Dylan Hartley, right, and George Kruis
Quins have re-signed former academy fly half James Lang, 21, on a two-year academy contract from north Wales outfit Rugby Cogledd Cymru.
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