Gray returns, Ferguson departs and Jones commits to The Stoop

Harlequins can today confirm that Joe Gray will return to the Club on a full-time basis as Lead Rugby Transition Coach, replacing Matt Ferguson, who departs to become Scrum and Contact Skills Coach of the Red Roses.

The Club is also pleased to confirm that Adam Jones has signed a contract extension to remain at The Stoop as Scrum and Contact Coach.

Gray returns to The Stoop

Gray rejoins Harlequins full-time after becoming Head Coach of London Scottish ahead of the 2022/23 season, following the clubs’ strategic partnership, and was later promoted to Director of Rugby. During his time at the Exiles, he continued to contribute to the Harlequins programme and gained experience with England Rugby.

As a player, the hooker made more than 170 appearances for Harlequins and was the first player to win every domestic trophy in English rugby. His playing career also took him to Northampton Saints and Saracens, where he won three Gallagher PREM titles.

Gray will succeed Ferguson in delivering the Club's transition strategy for players aged 18-23, working with the Academy and wider coaching group to bridge the gap to first team rugby. He will transition into the role through the autumn, initially combining the role with his London Scottish duties while the Exiles recruit his successor.

On his appointment Gray said: “I’m really looking forward to joining Harlequins as Lead Transition Coach. It’s an area I’m hugely passionate about, and I’m excited to work with the next generation of players and help them develop towards making an impact at first team level.

“Harlequins is a club that means a huge amount to me, so to have the opportunity to come back in this role and play a part in the growth of the next group of players is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Ferguson departs for the Red Roses

Ferguson joins the Red Roses as Scrum and Contact Skills Coach from 01 October ahead of the second block of WXV fixtures, a return to a team whose forwards he coached for three years before joining Northampton Saints in 2018.

He joined Harlequins in August 2025, and in his role as Lead Rugby Transition Coach, 12 Academy graduates made their PREM debuts throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Ferguson will return to Quins part-time in the autumn to help with the handover to Gray.

The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Ferguson for his work and commitment and wishes him every success in the next chapter of his career.

"Leaving Harlequins wasn't easy,” said Ferguson. “I'm incredibly proud of what we've built in the transition space and seeing Academy players step up to first team rugby has been hugely rewarding. There is a lot of emerging talent for Quins supporters to get excited about. I have been very impressed by the way Gilly (Jason Gilmore), and his coaching team have set the Club up for success, and I'm excited to see their progress.

“The chance to coach the Red Roses and get stuck into the upcoming WXV tournament was too good to turn down - Test opportunities don't come round often, and it also means more time with my family. I'm grateful to everyone at the Club for my time here, and I'm looking forward to aiding the handover process in the autumn with Joe.”

Jones commits his future to Harlequins

Jones' new deal underlines the Club's recognition of the Welshman as one of the most respected scrum specialists in the game. The former Wales prop joined Harlequins as a player in 2015, before moving into coaching in 2018 and has been a fixture of the coaching room since.

His reputation extends throughout the rugby world. Jones enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Neath, Ospreys, Cardiff Blues and Harlequins as well as winning 95 caps for Wales, three Six Nations Grand Slams, and was capped five times by the British & Irish Lions across the 2009 and 2013 tours. In 2025, Jones joined Wales coaching team for the Six Nations on secondment from Harlequins to gain valuable international experience.

Alongside his scrum responsibilities, Jones will continue to work closely with Forwards Coach Rob Hunter on the development of the squad’s contact area skills.

On his renewal, Jones added: "I'm really pleased to be extending my time at Harlequins. This Club has been a huge part of my life since I first came here as a player in 2015, and it's been a natural home for my coaching career since. The Club has built a strong group of coaches this summer, we're always learning from each other, testing and pushing one another to be the best we can be.

“There is also an exciting group of forwards and front rowers coming through at the Club, and I'm looking forward to being part of their progress as we continue building towards future success for Harlequins."

Head Coach Jason Gilmore said: “I’m delighted to welcome Joe back to The Stoop on a full-time basis. He knows this Club inside out, both as a player and as a coach, and the experience he's gained at London Scottish will be invaluable as we continue to develop our transition group. Joe understands what it takes to bridge the gap between the Academy and first team rugby, and he's the right person to build on the strong foundations in that area.

"I'd like to thank Ferg (Matt Ferguson) for all he's given Harlequins this past year. He's led the transition area really well, to see a high number of Academy graduates make their PREM debuts last season and continue to push on this season is testament to his work. We wish him every success with the Red Roses, and we're grateful that he'll be on hand to help with the handover to Joe.

"I'm also really pleased that Bomb (Adam Jones) has committed his future to the Club. He is one of the most respected scrum coaches in the game, and I believe we are seeing the best of him as a coach in our current environment. He and Rob Hunter work very well together on the set-piece and contact area too, and I'm looking forward to seeing that continue to develop.”