Joe Gray extends Quins stay

Harlequins have announced that hooker Joe Gray has signed a new deal with the Club

A Harlequins stalwart with over 150 Club appearances to his name since debuting for the London side in 2010, Gray is the 18th player to re-sign for more at The Stoop in recent months.

Gray, 32, first joined Quins from Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton Saints in 2010, going on to enjoy a short spell at Saracens and again Northampton in 2018 before returning to The Stoop midway through the 2019/20 season on a short-term deal. Once again impressing whilst in the Famous Quarters, Gray signed a permanent contract extension with the Club in May 2020 ahead of rugby’s return from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Gray earned his Test debut for England during a 2014 tour of New Zealand after impressing with Harlequins as a starting member of the 2010/11 Amlin Challenge Cup and 2011/12 Aviva Premiership-winning teams.

Commenting on Gray’s extension, Lineout and Forwards Coach Jerry Flannery said: “It’s great for us to have Joe re-sign for more with Quins. He’s an experienced head and someone that has so much knowledge to share from such a successful rugby career.

“I know the young hookers in our squad have taken a lot from Joe as a mentor and will continue to as they keep developing as first-team players.

“Joe’s a proven operator, and to win things you need people with the type of calm composure he displays both on the pitch and around training throughout the week.”

Commenting, Gray said: “I’m really happy to have re-signed. Harlequins is home to me. I think this is the tenth season I’m in now and I’ve had unbelievable memories that will last a lifetime.

“We’ve got a great group and you can see we’re doing something special, which is also really exciting to be a part of. It was a really easy decision to re-sign. It’s amazing on the field, but also off the field as a group with the culture we’re building. It’s an unbelievable group of lads and the coaches are great.

“It’s a club that’s really close to my heart, I’ve spent most of my career here and it’s where I’d love to stay. It’s an amazing club to be at and I’m really happy to re-sign.”