Harlequins headed to San Francisco

London-based Aviva Premiership club Harlequins are headed for San Francisco. As part of an agreement signed with USA Rugby prior to their friendly played in Philadelphia last August, Harlequins will spend a week training at the San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) club from July 30 to August 7 as part of their preparations for the 2016-17 Aviva Premiership season.

Harlequins finished in seventh spot on the Premiership table last season but found better success in Europe, reaching the final of the Challenge Cup. In previous seasons they have been the home of several Americas players including former Eagles hooker Tom Billups, Canadian flyhalf Gareth Rees, and recently retired Pumas center Gonzalo Tiesi among others.

St. Lucia native and England winger Marland Yarde is on their roster, are a number of notable current and former international stars. Australian lock James Horwill, British & Irish Lions center Jamie Roberts, former New Zealand All Black flyhalf Nick Evans, and England’s 2015 World Cup captain Chris Robshaw are all part of the club.

While Harlequins have not scheduled any matches during their stay they will hold several open training and coaching sessions to engage with the local rugby community. The schedule for those events is below:

(all times local)

MONDAY, AUGUST 1
16:00-19:00 – Community Rugby Session, Rich May Field, East Palo Alto

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
14:00-14:45 – Media session at SFGG
15:00-16:30 – Open training session with vision access
18:30-20:30 – Women’s Coaching session at SFGG

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
14:00-14:45 – Media session at SFGG
15:00-16:30 – Open training session with vision access
18:30-20:00 – High School youth coaching session at SFGG