Harlequins

Last season's finish: 7th

Director of rugby: Billy Millard

Captain: Alex Dombrandt

Star player: Marcus Smith

Star signing: Harry Williams

Young player to watch: Ben Waghorn

Harlequins had a disappointing season last time out and were never really in playoff contention, although they managed to stay on the periphery for quite a while. Things only look to be getting trickier now with the news that Danny Wilson (the head coach) is joining the Wales coaching staff just a week before the season starts. Jason Gilmore is going to be stepping up to replace his role whilst maintaining his own role as defence coach. Quins have plenty of quality players, but struggled to maintain consistency and were unable to put together a good enough run to seriously challenge. 

They have also lost some important players such as: Ernier Herbst, Dino Lamb and Nathan Jibulu. Their pack was often an issue last season so perhaps some forced changes will actually be a good thing. It certainly looks like it was a point of emphasis, given their recruitment over the summer. The loss of Nathan Jibulu was a painful one for Quins fans, but replacing him with George Turner is actually a short-term upgrade. Turner, at 32-years-old, is a Scotland international who will compete with Jack Walker for a starting spot. 

Tighthead prop has been a huge issue for Harlequins ever since Will Collier departed the club. Simon Kerrod has been unable to properly replace him which led to the signing of Lamositele. He, however, was even more disappointing. The Italian struggled at the scrum and didn't contribute much elsewhere. To fix this, Harlequins have signed Harry Williams from Pau in the Top 14. Williams is a former England international who was a key piece of Exeter's dynasty. He is also a far bigger prop than either of the players who have previously tried to fill that role. Williams stands at 1.91m tall and weighs 132kg - that is more than 10kg heavier than the other 2.

Behind Williams, Harlequins have added some more weight. Guido Petti has played 90 times for Argentina and will bring a wealth of experience to a pack that needs it. Kieran Treadwell is also back and returns to the club having departed for Ulster in 2016. They'll be part of a back five with a fearsome back row that will have to continue to carry the team going forward. Chandler Cunningham-South, Will Evans and Jack Kenningham are some of the best flankers in the league and provide depth that can only be matched by Bath, Saracens and Sale. The back row also has Alex Dombrandt and James Chisholm. Dombrandt is an England international but is much more suited to Harlequins' style of play whilst James Chisholm is an excellent club player who steps up in big games.

Their back line remains similar to last season which is a good thing. Their only losses are: Danny Care, Leigh Halfpenny and Lennox Anyanwu. Anyanwu showed promise last season but was always 2nd choice to Luke Northmore. Ben Waghorn also impressed last season so Harlequins don't lack any depth at that position. Murley, Isgro and Green are a dangerous back 3, Northmore and Beard are a strong centre partnership, and it's all tied together by Marcus Smith. Smith is the key to any success that Harlequins will have this season but, like the rest of the team, he lacked consistency on a week-to-week basis. Going forward, Harlequins will have to stabilise amidst the upheaval of a head coach leaving a week before the season starts. They'll also have to hope that the additions of Williams and Petti are enough to give Marcus Smith a good platform from which he can cause serious damage.

Notable ins:

Kieran Treadwell - Guido Petti - Harry Williams - George Turner

Notable outs:

Nathan Jibulu - Lennox Anyanwu - Ernie Herbst - Dino Lamb

Squad

(Including some senior academy players)

Hooker

Jack Doorey-Palmer - Jerold Gorleku - Ashton Graham - Jack Musk - Sam Riley - Jimmy Staples - George Turner - Jack Walker

Prop

Fin Baxter - Sam Bland - Ethan Clarke - Pedro Delgado - Cameron Doak - Jordan Els - Will Hobson - Simon Kerrod - Titi Lamositele - Jamie Miller - Ollie Streeter - Boris Wenger - Harry Williams

Lock

Harry Browne - Jonny Green - Joe Launchbury - Stephan Lewies - Guido Petti - Kieran Treadwell

Back row

Zach Carr - James Chisholm - Chandler Cunningham-South - Alex Dombrandt - Seb Driscoll - Will Evans - Alex Everett - Jack Kenningham - Tom Lawday - Lucas Schmid - Elliot Williams - Tate Williams

Scrum half

Lucas Friday - Max Green - Jake Murray - Will Porter - Stu Townsend

Fly half

Josh Bellamy - Jamie Benson - Felix Champain - Jarrod Evans - Math Jones - Connor Slevin - Marcus Smith

Centre

Oscar Beard - Bryn Bradley - Hayden Hyde - Sean Kerr - Ludo Kolade - Frank McMillan - Luke Northmore - Ben Waghorn

Wing

Cameron Anderson - Cassius Cleaves - Nick David - Tom Humphreys - Rodrigo Isgro - Nick Lynagh - Cadan Murley  - Theo Povey 

Fullback

Conor Byrne - Tyrone Green - Sean Sharp

Possible XV and bench

1.Fin Baxter 2.Jack Walker 3.Harry Williams 4.Guido Petti 5.Kieran Treadwell

6.Chandler Cunningham-South 7.Will Evans 8.Alex Dombrandt 9.Will Porter 10.Marcus Smith

11.Cadan Murley 12.Luke Northmore 13.Oscar Beard 14.Rodrigo Isgro 15.Tyrone Green

Bench

16.George Turner 17.Boris Wenger 18.Titi Lamositele 19.Joe Launchbury

20.Jack Kenningham 21.James Chisholm 22.Stu Townsend 23.Jarrod Evans