Second-row Grace Keel has previously played her ACE rugby at SGS College, having also played at North Bristol RFC and was part of the Nolli Waterman Player Development Group. She has also represented England U18s.

Back-row Joy Okechukwu was part of the Rachael Burford Player Development Group, having come through the ranks at Havant RFC. She is also an England U18 international and will look to continue to develop and impress within the Harlequins Women’s environment.

Women’s Pathway Manager Pat Metcalfe Jones said: “We were really impressed with both Grace and Joy’s performances in the U18s Six Nations and are excited to see them step up into the senior game. Both players showed great physicality and I am confident they will add value to our senior training environment. It’s a testament to pathway at Harlequins, that they have chosen to pursue the next stage of their development with us.”

With thanks to Harlequins

All Quins fans will be delighted by the news. They have suffered long enough with their side failing to hit the jackpot since their solitary trophy win in 2021 – and that was after finishing third in the table.

So the denuding of Celtic clubs and provinces continues unabated. From an Irish perspective, it’s a relief that she plays for much the strongest province, Leinster. Come the next Inter-pros, they will be only marginally inconvenienced by this loss.

Quins have been using their now traditional drip-drip revelations of the latest player to join the throng – one at a time. Over recent weeks I have spotted the names of Coreen Grant (Scotland and Saracens), Lucy Burgess (Bristol Bears), Fi McIntosh (Scotland and Saracens), Natasha Logan (Scotland 6N squad), Sophie Tansley (Saracens) and Megan Barwick (Trailfinders Women).

They comprise a fascinating group: three from Scotland, underlining that nation’s ongoing failure to build a native league strong enough to retain its best players; three making the switch across London from NW4, involving two clubs who are supposed to be sworn enemies, (but Jess Breach and Rosie Galligan have made the same move, to mention only two). Others may have felt they weren’t getting enough playing-time at their previous PWR club.

With all due respect to these six players, they can’t hold a candle to Wafer, who has recently been declared the Six Nations Player of the Tournament. She is an outstanding acquisition for the Stoop.

Hail and Farewell

On 6 May Quins issued a statement confirming the departure of no fewer than fifteen players. Some were retiring (Harriet Millar-Mills), others returning home (Bablawa Latsha, Kaitlan Leaney), some presumably found surplus to requirements (too many to enumerate).

It underlines clubs’ delight in getting players to sign on for another season. The trumpeted concept of “one happy family” stretches only so far. The fact is that players are constantly on the move, mostly during the summer break.

Last year Quins published a list of 60 players, including two special categories: Senior Development and Surrey University Pathway players.

Glancing down the list I spot the names of seventeen players not qualified to play for England. That brings us back to the ongoing dilemma: how to limit the number of NEQPs, if at all? We still await the PWR board’s latest verdict.

There we have one of the intractable problems of current structures: only 23 players can play each weekend, but clubs must have reserve stock available. How to keep them all satisfied? The reduction from ten to nine clubs has already reduced the number of matches available. Managements have to find ways of satisfying the ambitions of all their players.

Despite all the riches of their enlisted players Quins finished third last season, seven points behind Sarries, and they lost 32-24 to them in the knock-out semi-final. It’s tough at the top.

Wafer is excited to compete for a place in a Quins back-row, already blessed with the presence of Jade Konkel and Alex Callender. The wonder is: with all these strengths, how come Quins managed to lose five matches last year? Answer: the strength of the clubs above them (Gloucester-Hartpury and Sarries) is even greater.

Once more I recall the thoughts of Nigel Melville, long ago, in answer to the widely criticised inequalities of the Premier 15s in its early days. In so many words he said: we may need to ‘invite’ players to switch clubs – (kicking and screaming?)

It hasn’t come to that yet.

Have Quins got more signings up their sleeve, a few disgruntled Black Ferns, perhaps?

The 22-year-old joins the Club with a stellar resume, having been named as the Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for 2025, after also being nominated in 2024. She was also named in the 2024 World Rugby XVs Team of the Year after a standout campaign for Ireland.

An all-action talent who can play across the backrow, Wafer will link up with the side following the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup.

After enjoying a breakthrough Six Nations campaign in 2024, Wafer announced herself on the world stage with a two-try performance in September, as Ireland secured a famous victory over the Black Ferns.

Hailing from Wexford, Wafer has represented her province Leinster, as well as the Wolfhounds in the Celtic Challenge, where she helped them secure back-to-back titles.

She made her Ireland debut in 2022 against Italy and has since gone on to become a key figure as part of a resurgent Irish side that secured consecutive third place finishes in the Women’s Six Nations, as well as qualification for the WXV1 tournament last season.

“The history that the Club is steeped in is something that really stood out to me. I’m really looking forward to being here and I can’t wait to get going. This league has all the star players in the world in it. I want to be the best player in the world, and I can’t wait to test myself out against those stars every week,” Wafer explained.

“I was very lucky to come over to a game a few months ago and meet some of the girls and the family values were something that really stood out to me. That’s really important to me, and I know that my family will be well looked after over here as well.”

Wafer is also keen to ensure that she continues to show the skillset she has displayed in the international game in Harlequins colours.

“Hopefully what people have seen on the international stage is what they’ll get from me at Quins! I’m going to be working incredibly hard to be the best version of myself and hopefully that can really benefit the team, because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s about whole team.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm explained that Wafer is a player who he has long admired, expressing his delight after securing the services of a world-class talent.

“We saw Aoife break through on the international scene and saw that the way she plays the game really suits the brand of rugby we want to play here too. We’ve watched her on her journey over the last few years and seen the progression she has had. She’s announced herself as a real world-class operator.”

“We want people here who are going to fit into our environment and also feel like they belong in it and with Aoife, we feel like it’s a perfect fit. When we are looking at recruitment, we always look at how players will fit into the Harlequins DNA, and with Aoife, it’s clear that she really suits our style and the way we want to play. I’m delighted that she is going to be with us next season,” said Chisholm.

IRFU Head of Women’s Performance and Pathways Gillian McDarby added: “We’re pleased for Aoife as she takes this next step in her career with Harlequins, where she will have the opportunity to further her development in a high-performance environment. Her journey is a testament to the investment and progress within the Irish system, which continues to produce talent capable of performing at the highest level. We look forward to continuing to work with Aoife in green during the international windows.”

With thanks to Harlequins

Grant joins from London rivals Saracens, where she made 47 appearances, scoring 16 tries across six seasons in North London.

An environmental journalist outside of rugby, Grant made her Scotland debut in 2021 and featured for her country at the last Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and won the Varsity Match with Cambridge in 2019, scoring a solo try in the dying moments of the game to hand her side the victory.

Grant is a seasoned performer in Premiership Women’s Rugby and has shown a keen eye for the try line, with her acceleration with ball in hand marking her out as a real threat in attack.

Speaking about her decision to make the move across London, Grant highlighted the style of rugby as a key factor in her decision to join.

“I’m delighted to be signing for Quins this season. The side play a really dynamic, exciting brand of rugby which I’m looking forward to being a part of. I think it will take my game to a whole new level. This is clearly a tight knit group, so I can’t wait to get to know everyone and get started.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm is looking forward to working with Grant in the season ahead.

“We’re delighted to have secured the services of a player like Coreen. She has a proven track record at club and international level and has a great ability to make metres when under pressure,” said Chisholm.

“She is a player with real speed and knows her way to the try line. She will add an extra dimension to our attack when she is on the pitch and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do in a Quins shirt.”

With thanks to Harlequins

Originally hailing from London, Burgess made over 100 appearances during her time with the Bears, crossing for 14 tries.

Burgess proved herself to be a livewire scrum-half during her time in Bear Country and has shown that she is one of the most exciting players in her position in the league.

She made her 100th appearance for the Bears against Sale Sharks in December and will also bring leadership qualities with her to TW2, having captained the Bears in their most recent Allianz Cup campaign.

Reflecting on the decision to make the move to West London, Burgess explained that she is looking to take her game to another level.

“I am really excited to be joining Harlequins. I’m looking forward to working with the coaching team to develop my game and hopefully help to continue the success the Club has had. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and working hard to establish myself.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm added: “Lucy is an extremely classy operator at scrum-half. To have made over 100 appearances for Bristol Bears shows how much of a quality player she is.”

“She has an exceptional speed of pass and is very good at spotting space to attack. I’m delighted that she will be wearing Harlequins colours next season, and I know that she will continue to thrive in our environment.”

With thanks to Harlequins 

McIntosh joins from London rivals Saracens, where she made 50 appearances, including starting in the North Londoners’ 2021/ 2022 Premier15s final victory over Exeter.

The second-row captained Saracens in their 2022/ 23 Allianz Cup campaign and made her international debut for Scotland against England in April 2024. She will bring additional leadership and lineout nous to this Harlequins side, as well as a real emphasis on the set-piece.

Having previously played for Richmond, as well as Saracens, McIntosh is excited to be moving to TW2, explaining that Harlequins were the Club she grew up supporting as a child.

“I’m really excited to be joining Quins this season. As a South Londoner, it’s the Club that I grew up supporting, which makes it extra special,” McIntosh said.

“Quins play an exciting style of rugby which I’m looking forward to being a part of. I think this will be a great environment for me to grow as both a player and a person.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm added: “Fi is a player with plenty of experience at the highest level. She is a shrewd operator at the lineout and brings real expertise in that area of the game. She is a player with international experience and leadership qualities from her time with Saracens. I’m excited to see what she can do in a Quins shirt.”

With thanks to Harlequins 

Logan joins having represented Edinburgh University in BUCS Super Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge.

She has also represented Scotland at age-grade and futures level and was recently called into the wider Scotland squad for the 2025 Women’s Six Nations Championship.

Logan was recently named in the BUCS Super Rugby Team of the Season and arrives at Harlequins after four years studying in Edinburgh.

Reflecting on the decision to join Quins, Logan explained that the playing ethos of the side was what had drawn her to West London.

“I’m really excited to be joining Harlequins! The playing style and team environment are exactly what I’m looking for to further develop my skills and challenge myself. I’m looking forward to contributing to the squad and learning alongside such talented players.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm is looking forward to seeing Logan in the Quins environment.

“Natasha was a standout player for Edinburgh University in BUCS Super Rugby and impressed in her performances in the Celtic Challenge too. She is someone who we are confident will continue to grow and thrive in our environment. She is a player who likes to be physical around the park and we’re looking forward to seeing her bring that to the Quarters when she pulls on the shirt.”

With thanks to Harlequins

Tansley made 31 appearances during her time in North London and was part of the side that won the Allianz Cup in 2024.

Speaking after joining the Club, Tansley explained that she is looking forward to linking up with her new teammates and testing herself in a new environment.

“I am really excited to be joining Quins and I’m looking forward to experiencing a new playing environment. I have seen how hard the team have been working, and this is a really exciting group, with a lot of potential. I’m looking forward to playing for the club and getting going.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm added: “Sophie is a powerful ball carrier and is excellent in the work that she does at the set-piece. We believe that she will be able to add a lot to our environment and be able to continue to develop her skillset during her time with us.”

With thanks to Harlequins

Barwick joins Harlequins from city neighbours Trailfinders Women, having previously played for Bristol Bears.

A powerful and abrasive back-row, Barwick is the first new signing to be confirmed by the Club ahead of the new season.

Barwick arrives with plenty of experience in Premiership Women’s Rugby, having made 58 appearances in both the PWR and PWR Cup during her time with Bristol and Trailfinders.

With news of her move to Harlequins confirmed, Barwick said: “I’m super excited to work with and learn from an exciting group of players. I’m looking forward to being challenged in a new environment.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm added: “We’re really pleased to have secured the services of a player like Meg for the new season. She’s someone who will add a lot to our environment. We’ve seen during her time at Bristol and at Trailfinders how much of an impact she can have on games, especially with her carrying ability and work at the breakdown. We’re all really excited to see what she can bring to the pitch in the Quarters.”

With thanks to Harlequins

The 20-year-old Spaniard enjoyed a stellar debut season in TW2, scoring 8 tries in 13 appearances in the Quarters.

Capable of playing in the centre, on the wing or at fullback, Peña has quickly established herself as one of the brightest young talents in the game, scoring in the Big Game at Allianz Stadium, as well as the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final away at Saracens.

Having turned in a series of standout performances in her debut season, notably away at StoneX Stadium in November, Peña is relishing the opportunity to continue to grow and develop in Harlequins colours.

“This first year has been an incredible experience and period of growth, both personally and in rugby, thanks to the people around me in the team and the staff. Every moment shared has taught me something valuable and that’s why I want to repeat this experience next year, continue learning from my teammates and give my best to the team.”

Head Coach Ross Chisholm is similarly delighted to have retained the services of one of the hottest properties in the game.

“Clàudia made a huge impact in her first season at the Club. She is still so young but has unbelievable potential and I believe that last season just scratched the surface in terms of where she can take her game. She’s fast, dynamic and incredibly powerful and has quickly developed into a standout player in the league. I’m delighted that she will be wearing the Quarters again next season.”

With thanks to Harlequins