Evans set to quit as Quins coach (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Evans set to quit as Quins coach

11:45am Friday 11th March 2005 in

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Harlequins are believed to have drawn up a three-man short list as they start to search for a new coach for next season, writes Toby Gregory.

With current head coach Mark Evans looking set to stand down, and forwards coach John Kingston eyeing up a possible move to Bath, Quins have been forced into recruiting a new face.

The shortlist includes two current Premiership coaches in Gary Gold from London Irish and Phil Davies from Leeds Tykes, while former Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards completes the trio. However, the player's vote is with Quins stalwart and former England captain Tony Diprose.

Evans will continue as chief executive, but it is understood he is quitting as coach at the end of a poor season in which Quins are fighting against relegation.

Quins are also likely to have a major clear out of players including Chris Cracknell, Andy Dunne and Roy Winters. Evans says any decisions will be announced at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Ham resident and former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio led a Northern Hemisphere team out at Twickenham last weekend to help raise over £1 million for the victims of the tsunami in Asia. The star-studded line-up included ex-Quins Pat Sanderson and Opeta Palepoi, but the Southern Hemisphere won 5419.

This Sunday Quins take on Newcastle Falcons at The Stoop (2pm) and look to extend their winning home run against Falcons to four matches..

England's World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, out with a knee injury since January, could play some part in the game. Seventeen points from Wilkinson's boot helped Newcastle to a 22-21 win when the sides met at Kingston Park in September.

This is a very difficult fixture to predict a single score has separated the teams in 10 of the past 13 meetings.

Quins go into the game off the back of the 17-15 win at Bath a fortnight ago which leaves them 10th in the table, four points ahead of bottom club Leeds Tykes.

The team that beat Bath is likely to line up again on Sunday, but England U21 fly-half Adrian Jarvis may be among the replacements, having recovered from viral meningitis.

Jarvis proved his fitness in Quins Zurich A League victory over London Wasps last Monday and could take the place of recent signing Arwel Thomas on the bench.

A limited number of tickets are still available call 0871 871 8877 or see www. quins.co.uk Fans are being urged to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

l Quins' Zurich Premiership clash with Leeds Tykes at Headingley will now be played on Tuesday, April 26 (8pm). The match had to be rearranged after Leeds' won through to the Powergen Cup final against Bath at Twickenham on Saturday, April 16.