Quins head coach John Kingston says the departure of hooker Gary Botha has solved a major selection headache regarding the future of understudy Chris Brooker.

The 23-year-old England Saxon has made only six first team starts since switching to the Stoop in 2007 from Northampton Saints, as he has been forced to play third fiddle to the South African World Cup winner and club legend Tani Fuga.

Botha made his last appearance for Quins in Saturday’s 13-11 triumph over Bath having negotiated an early release from his contract to return to his homeland.

But Kingston, who was aware of the hooker’s departure at the start of the season, admits his exit has made his life slightly easier with Brooker the man most likely to benefit.

“It is a loss, but what a replacement we have. Tani Fuga is every bit as good as Gary Botha as a player. The value of Tani and Chris Brooker became greater once I knew Gary was leaving, but in a way it has solved a problem for us,” he said.

“Chris Brooker is not a number three hooker. No way. That guy played England Saxons two years ago, he is a fantastic talent.

“At the start of the season we were looking at him and thinking it cannot be right he’s going to spend the season as number three. The guy is good enough to start in the Premiership.”