Club centurion Charlie Matthews returns to Quins

Harlequins have welcomed the return of second-row Charlie Matthews back to The Stoop ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Experienced lock Matthews, 31, returns to Twickenham having first emerged in the Premiership as a Harlequins Academy graduate.

The second row amassed 163 appearances in the Famous Quarters between 2009 and 2018, earning 109 starts before moving to Premiership rivals Wasps ahead of the 2018/19 season and subsequently spending two years in Japan with the Kamaishi Seawaves.

Having also played in the Champions Cup on 27 occasions for Quins and Wasps, Matthews provides further depth to the squad’s second row options this season.

The 6ft7’ forward has won England Saxons honours after also representing his country at age-group level.

Excited to return to the place his career began, Matthews said: “I’m delighted to re-sign with Harlequins. This is the place my career first started and I’m looking forward to coming home to The Stoop.

“I’ve had a great experience in Japan and feel recharged and ready to play in the top flight of English and European rugby again.

“I was proud to represent Quins on over 150 occasions and make some fantastic memories. I can’t wait to add many more.”

Head Coach Tabai Matson said: “It’s always a boost to welcome back a member of the Harlequins family. Charlie is a Club centurion and knows what it means to be part of the Harlequins Way, which is a factor that has been at the core of the Club’s impressive form over the last couple of seasons.

“Charlie brings a wealth of experience from both the English and Japanese games and will be a great asset to our locking options this year. I know our fantastic supporters will be as thrilled as we are to see Charlie back in the Quarters.”