Harlequins icon Chris Robshaw has issued a passionate plea to the club's supporters, urging them to stand by the team during a period of significant on-field struggle. The former England captain emphasised that the players are sharing the pain of the fans after a dismal run of results.
A Season in Crisis
The London-based side is enduring a torrid time in the Gallagher Premiership, having suffered four consecutive defeats. This poor form has left them languishing in the league table, a staggering 23 points adrift of the play-off places at the competition's halfway stage. The low point came last weekend with a crushing 66-21 loss to Northampton Saints, a result the club itself labelled as "not acceptable" in an official statement.
Head coach Jason Gilmore has warned that major decisions regarding player contracts are imminent as the team desperately seeks to reverse its fortunes. However, Robshaw, who will be providing punditry for Premier Sports this weekend, defended the squad's commitment. "As a player, you know how the players are feeling and no one hurts or feels as bad and as guilty as the players," Robshaw stated. "No one will be trying harder to try to rectify things."
Champions Cup Provides a Lifeline
Attention now turns to the Investec Champions Cup, where Harlequins face a daunting task against the DHL Stormers this Sunday. The South African side arrives at the Twickenham Stoop unbeaten in all competitions this season. The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 from 5pm, offering Quins a chance to salvage pride and redirect their campaign.
Robshaw suggested the club must now determine if it has the right long-term coaching structure, drawing a parallel with Mikel Arteta's difficult early years at Arsenal. "You see it with an Arteta, who struggled in his first season or two but was backed and supported, so now look at how Arsenal are doing," he said. "I think often we need to support and stick and grow. So the Prem is over, but we can use this opportunity in the Champions Cup to try to achieve something."
Could Nick Easter Be the Answer?
Robshaw also discussed a potential candidate to help steer Harlequins back to success: his former teammate and coach, Nick Easter. The ex-England number eight, currently impressing as head coach of Chinnor in the Championship, has been linked with a return to The Stoop.
While not explicitly endorsing Easter for a role, Robshaw praised his former colleague's rugby intellect and coaching journey. "Nick was one of the smartest rugby players out there," Robshaw said. "With coaching, I think you’ve got to earn your stripes a bit and he’s done his time... It takes some time to develop but I think he’s doing really well."
Robshaw concluded that the ultimate responsibility lies with the club's hierarchy to make the tough calls, but stressed that any solution requires total buy-in from the playing squad. For now, all focus is on the Champions Cup and the visit of the Stormers, with fans hoping for a performance that can reignite their faltering season.
