Quins and Skolars announce partnership

Harlequins and London Skolars have announced details of a unique partnership that will see Quins players loaned to their neighbours.

The two London clubs have reached an agreement with the RFL that will enable Harlequins players to join the Co-operative Championship 1 side on loan for a week at a time and head coach, Brian McDermott, is delighted with the arrangement.

“It’s a win-win situation.” he said “Harlequins players that aren’t playing first team every week will get valuable experience in a very intense and competitive environment, and the Skolars get the use of some quality players every week.

“I’ve worked with the Skolars head coach, Callum Irving, and the quality of his coaching makes my decision to let them go there an easy one.

“It’s great for Harlequins Rugby League, London Skolars and rugby league in London.”

Harlequins players Jamie O’Callaghan, Jack Graves and Rob Thomas recently joined the Skolars for their match against Hunslet Hawks and over the course of the season a mixture of players will make the short journey to North London.

The agreement cements an already strong relationship between the two clubs which will see them working together to promote the ETF Securities City Touch Tournament.

The event, to be held on Thursday 13th August at the HAC Artillery Ground, will be the first touch rugby tournament of its kind to take place in the Square Mile.

Teams of City professionals will be coached by Harlequins and Skolars players as they battle it out for supremacy in the unique surroundings of the Honorable Artillery Club.

The competition is part of the Rugby Football League’s policy to raise the profile of the sport within the leading financial centre in the world, London.