The underperforming Harlequins have announced the acquisition of England full-back George Furbank as part of their efforts to revamp the team for the upcoming season.
At 29, Furbank has played a significant role for Northampton, who are currently leading the league. However, an enticing contract offer has motivated him to seek new opportunities in south-west London.
Despite facing extended periods of injury over the last two years, Furbank is regarded as a talented player, boasting 14 caps for the national team and is expected to be included in England’s World Cup roster. The Quins, who are currently positioned second to last in the ten-team Premiership, are optimistic that he will quickly enhance their performance.
“Having been with Saints since I was around 14 or 15, this presents a different kind of challenge for me, but I am eager to step outside my comfort zone,” he stated. “I look forward to the opportunity to play with a new team and under a different coaching staff, which I believe will be invigorating and elevate my game. There’s a lot here that excites me.”
Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore expressed his admiration for Furbank, stating, “He’s a player we’ve valued for quite some time,” though his departure creates a significant gap for Northampton to address.
The Saints have acknowledged that maintaining all their England squad members has become increasingly complex, especially with emerging talents like Henry Pollock gaining attention and seeking higher salaries. This context helps explain Furbank’s decision to join the likes of David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, and Teimana Harrison, who have all departed in recent years.
“We aimed to keep George, and I believe he wanted to stay as well,” commented Phil Dowson, the Saints’ director of rugby. “However, there are many factors that need to align for both him and us, and unfortunately, we couldn’t reach that agreement. There was never any hostility; it’s just one of those circumstances.”
“We made an offer, but other clubs in need of players are willing to pay what it takes to secure him. If Saints suddenly had a major financial backer, that could change the dynamics, but currently, we must make decisions based on our financial situation.”
“It’s not always beneficial to keep a team entirely intact. Sir Alex Ferguson excelled in this by releasing some players while retaining others for extended periods. Furbank is someone we would have loved to keep longer, but we’ve had to make some tough choices. It’s like a constantly shifting puzzle.”
The Saints are poised to welcome back their recovered England half-backs, Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell, to the lineup for Friday’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Bath at the Rec. Smith has been recuperating after failing a head injury assessment in a match against Saracens last month, while Mitchell has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during the Six Nations against Ireland in February.
On a related note, Quins fly-half Jamie Benson has decided to join Ulster for the next season. Benson, who is eligible to play for Ireland, has made 38 appearances for the Quins since rising through the ranks of the club’s academy.
