Harlequins, who are intending to reorganize their coaching personnel in the upcoming summer after a disappointing season, are reportedly understood to have playfully approached Michael Cheika, the past head coach of both the Wallabies and Argentina.
Quins, having suffered defeat in seven out of their nine league matches this current season, have been connected to numerous prominent figures globally since commencing their recruitment efforts in the latter part of the previous year.
Vern Cotter, the ex-Scotland coach, is thought to have submitted his interest prior to securing the Queensland Reds position for the 2027-2028 campaign, at which point he will succeed Les Kiss, who is transitioning to lead the Wallabies.
The curriculum vitae of Kobe Steelers’ head coach Dave Rennie, whose contract in Japan is nearing its conclusion, has been circulating, though he remains a formidable candidate for the open All Blacks coaching role.
Scott Robertson, who notably became only the second coach, following Wayne Smith, to depart from the All Blacks coaching position during the period between World Cup tournaments, has similarly been mentioned as a potential candidate.
Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins
Gloucester
Concurrently, discussions concerning Mark Mapletoft, who dedicated ten years to coaching at the Twickenham Stoop prior to his departure for the RFU in 2020, gained traction during the previous week.
Informants have since indicated that Nick Easter, recognized for his excellent work with Chinnor in the Championship, has undergone an interview as Quins management intensifies its efforts to appoint a new individual.
Cheika made his way back to Australia in the past summer, having spent a season guiding the Leicester Tigers, bringing them to the Gallagher PREM Final, where they ultimately fell to Bath, who achieved a league, cup, and European triple victory.
During October, the NRL team Sydney Roosters disclosed that Cheika, a highly esteemed personality in the sport who previously held a consulting position with the club six years ago, would be integrated into their coaching team for the 2026 season.
Furthermore, given his upcoming role as head of Lebanon in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup across Australia and PNG, this represents an additional prospective challenge that would need to be addressed.
