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Thirteen senior players including three 2021 Premiership winners to leave Harlequins

Harlequins have confirmed 22 departures — 13 senior players and nine academy players — ahead of their final home game of the season against Northampton on 7 June. Among those leaving are Premiership title winners Stephan Lewies, Tom Lawday, and Jordan Els.

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Thirteen senior players including three 2021 Premiership winners to leave Harlequins
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Harlequins will say goodbye to 22 players at the end of the current season, the club confirmed, with 13 senior departures headlined by three members of the squad that won the 2021 Premiership title — lock Stephan Lewies, No.8 Tom Lawday, and prop Jordan Els.

Lewies, who captained the club and made 88 appearances across seven seasons, is returning to South Africa to join the Sharks. Lawday departs after 104 games, with his next destination yet to be confirmed, while Els — 54 appearances to his name — is also still to announce where he will play next season.

Wales fly-half Jarrod Evans, whose contract has not been renewed, is widely expected to return to Wales with Cardiff after 48 appearances for the club. Fellow fly-half Jamie Benson has already confirmed a move to Ulster in the URC. Prop Joe Jones heads to Worcester, and scrum-half Jack Grant, who joined mid-season as short-term cover, will also leave The Stoop.

Also departing is experienced lock Joe Launchbury, who made 51 appearances for the club. The full senior list of leavers, with appearances in brackets, reads: Tom Lawday (104), Stephan Lewies (88), Jordan Els (54), Joe Launchbury (51), Jarrod Evans (48), Jamie Benson (42), Hayden Hyde (19), Max Green (18), George Turner (12), Joe Jones (5), Jack Grant (3), Luke Yendle (2, loanee), and Andrew Turner.

Nine senior academy players are also leaving: Jake Murray (20 appearances), Cameron Doak (2), Jack Doorey-Palmer (2), Conor Byrne (1), Guy Rogers, Felix Champain, Math Jones, Mattias Woollard, and Tom Humphreys.

Head coach Jason Gilmore paid tribute to all those departing. “This point in the season is always emotional and can be difficult, because it gives us the opportunity to recognise and thank players who have made a huge contribution to Harlequins during their time at the club,” he said. “Each of these players has represented Quins with commitment, professionalism and pride, giving everything for the jersey and for their teammates. They should all be incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved and the impact they’ve had on and off the field.”

The players will be formally farewelled after Harlequins’ final home fixture of the season against Northampton Saints at The Stoop on 7 June.

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