Ben Ryan in the frame as Harlequins prepare for big shake-up

In the mix: Ben Ryan
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Will Macpherson15 May 2018

Harlequins are on course to announce their new management structure before the end of next week, with John Kingston being replaced as director of rugby by two roles.

Feedback from the squad and coaches in the wake of Kingston’s departure after 17 years at Quins and two as director of rugby will lead to a spreading of responsibility.

The role the England defence coach Paul Gustard and his Wales counterpart Shaun Edwards are in the frame for will be director of rugby, overseeing the day-to-day running of a first team in need of some repair after finishing 10th in the Premiership.

The other role will be that of a general manager, in charge of high performance across the club, not just at first-team level. While the successful applicant seems set to come from a rugby background, it is understood that was not a prerequisite.

The recruitment panel, which includes former All Blacks hooker Sean Fitzpatrick, is confident of having both appointments sewn up by the end of the Premiership season (the final is a week on Saturday at Twickenham). Time is of the essence given that almost all candidates have existing commitments — not least Edwards and Gustard — that would need settling. Harlequins return to pre-season training on June 11.

Ben Ryan, who won Olympic Gold with Fiji in sevens but has experience across high performance and 15s rugby, is in the frame for both roles, but seems more likely to end up in the general manager position. He is interested in the management of American sports teams and has consulted in rugby and beyond since winning Fiji’s first Olympic medal in its history in 2016.

The appointed pair will have scope to pull together their backroom staff. Kingston, head coach Mark Mapletoft and forwards coach Graham Rowntree all signed contract extensions as recently as January, meaning the latter duo, like Kingston, would be in line for significant pay-offs should they leave the club.

A number of coaches at the club — Nick Easter (defence), Nick Evans (attack) and Adam Jones (assistant forwards coach) — are recently retired great players without vast coaching experience.

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