Harlequins' Chisholm forced to retire as Smith nears return from finger injury

James Chisholm has been forced to retire from rugby after his body failed to recover from an Achilles rupture sustained in January 2025, Harlequins have confirmed. The back-rower, who made 164 appearances and scored 21 tries for the club, had hoped to return for the current season but could not overcome the injury despite an intensive pre-season effort.

Chisholm, a former Junior World Championship winner in 2014 and World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Year, twice took Harlequins’ own Player of the Year award in 2017 and 2018. His departure marks the end of a career defined as much by resilience through injury as by his performances on the pitch.

“Obviously, it’s been a bit of an uphill battle with the recovery from my Achilles injury, and unfortunately my body just can’t get there,” Chisholm said. “I still have the want to play and was really looking forward to this season and gave pre-season my all. We tried everything, but I just couldn’t get there. I feel ok about it all, and I am at peace with the decision now.”

On the injury front, head coach Jason Gilmore offered more encouraging news ahead of Saturday’s Premiership trip to Gloucester. England fly-half Marcus Smith, who damaged a finger in a pre-season friendly against Edinburgh, is back in full training but will again be absent this weekend. Gilmore is hopeful Smith can return for the visit to Sale Sharks the following Sunday, with the opening Challenge Cup tie against Vannes as a fallback target.

“Smithy won’t play this week, but he won’t be too far away. We’re hoping for next week; if not next week, then the Vannes game definitely,” Gilmore said. “It’s just a knock to a finger — he’s had to get it straightened out and make sure there’s no tendon damage. Strap it up, and hopefully he’s ready to go next week.”

The better news for Quins is that summer signing George Furbank has passed his return-to-play protocols and is in line to make his first Premiership appearance for the club against Gloucester. The England full-back joined from Northampton Saints during the off-season. Fellow England international Finn Baxter, a loosehead prop, is also nearing fitness but Gilmore indicated he remains one to two weeks away from a return.