Harlequins confirm Jason Gilmour as permanent head coach

Harlequins have appointed Jason Gilmour as permanent coach, with former Australia coach Robbie Deans joining as performance director from the start of next season.

Gilmour, who joined Quins as defense coach in 2024, has been in interim charge for the past six months following Danny Wilson’s departure from the club on the eve of the new season.

He will work alongside former New Zealand fullback Deans, 66, who served as second-in-command on the All Blacks’ coaching staff before becoming the Wallabies’ first non-Australian coach in 2007.

The club also announced that former Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Hunter, who left Sandy Park at the end of last season, will take up the role of forwards coach at The Stoop next season.

The trio will be tasked with sparking significant improvement at Quins, who sit second from bottom in the Prem and slumped to a sixth successive defeat at fellow strugglers Gloucester on Saturday.

“There is a huge amount of work to be done, but that is what makes this an exciting opportunity,” Gilmour told the Harlequins website., external.

“We are committed to building the right environment, the right standards and the right team to take this club forward.

“Having Robbie join the team is a positive addition. The guidance and support he will provide me personally, as well as the coaching and playing squad, will be invaluable.”

“For our supporters, we really appreciate the support we have received during a difficult year. We will need that continued support, because getting Harlequins back where it belongs will take a team effort – but we are fully committed to it.”

Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple added that the club plans to appoint an assistant defense coach to take over some of Gilmour’s current duties.