Former Australia boss Deans given Harlequins role

Former Australia coach Robbie Deans is to join Harlequins as performance director from the start of next season, the English Premiership strugglers announced on Tuesday.

Deans will be working with Jason Gilmore, who has been appointed as head coach after being in interim charge since the start of this season.

Former Exeter coach Rob Hunter will arrive at the London club as forwards coach in July.

Quins are second from bottom of the Premiership after suffering their sixth defeat in a row, against fellow strugglers Gloucester.

Welcome, Robbie Deans 🇳🇿

Deans will join the Board of Harlequins as Performance Director, initially until the end of the 2027/28 season.

He will take a holistic view of the programme and work closely with Head Coach Jason Gilmore and General Manager Andrew Sanger MBE to… pic.twitter.com/2PZWcr8YTy — Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) March 24, 2026

Deans, a former New Zealand fullback, was an assistant in the All Blacks' coaching set-up before becoming the first non-Australian coach of the Wallabies in 2007.

"Harlequins is a proud club with a strong history and it is a privilege to be asked to contribute towards the future," said the 66-year-old.

"There are many good people within their ranks and I look forward to working with them."

Gilmore welcomed Deans' appointment, saying: "Having Robbie come on board is such a positive addition.

"The guidance and support he will provide me personally, as well as our coaching and playing group, will be invaluable."