England star Joe Launchbury identifies key area which has been ‘Harlequins’ downfall’
Joe Launchbury in action for Quins
England powerhouse Joe Launchbury has stated Harlequins’ ‘downfall’ last year was their defence, but believes that could soon change following the introduction of new defence coach Jason Gilmore.
Long-standing defence coach Jerry Flannery left the club part-way through last season to join the Springboks, and this off-season former Waratahs and Reds coach Gilmore has taken the reins in this area.
He has a huge task on his hands though, with Quins having the third-worst points difference in the Premiership last season, ending the campaign on -34. They also conceded the third-highest amount of points, shipping 520 points in their 18 league games – an average of 28.9 per match.
Tyrone Green maps out bold objective as Harlequins ‘excited to go again’ ahead of Premiership season
This leaky defence ultimately came back to haunt them in the run-in, as they fell out of the top four in the final two rounds and missed out on the play-offs, and Launchbury believes this is the ‘clear fix’ heading into the new campaign.
“The most obvious one (to improve), and it’s probably been Quins’ downfall long before I came here, is obviously defence; that’s the clear work-on, the clear fix,” he said.
“When you’re a side who wants to attack like we do, and have a clear intent to attack like that; it can be great in so many ways, but we also understand we’re not going to win trophies by having that attitude of being so one-sided to our attack.
“We tried to correct it last year, and we felt we were making strides to fix it; but we also realised it wasn’t a particularly quick fix and it probably needed a pre-season. We’ve obviously had a change of personnel (new defence coach Gilmore), but it’s down to us now; do we want to have that attitude for defending and get as excited defending as clearly this club do with attacking.”
High ‘expectations’ on England rookie as Harlequins provide firm update on injured Joe Marler
Quins will be hoping to go one better in the Premiership this season, as they eye-up their first title since 2021.
“I don’t want to be associated with a team who are seen as soft”
Gilmore’s arrival at the Stoop has brought fresh hope to the experienced Launchbury that their defence will change this season, and he feels they will be much better for his arrival.
“That’s the beauty of a new coach, they can almost treat us like idiots to an extent,” Launchbury said. “We’ve gone right back to the fundamentals of defending, he’s come in with some fresh ideas, which is massively important. He’s got little tiny ideas on how to defend that a lot of the guys haven’t seen before; but the change is something the club needed.”
Gilmore brings a wealth of coaching experience to the club. As stated he held the same post for both the Waratahs and the Reds, but has also been involved in international rugby as head coach of both Australia U20s, Australia A and the Barbarians too.
He helped guide the Junior Wallabies to the 2019 Junior World Championship finals and an Oceania Championship title; and also finished second in the Pacific Nations Cup with his Australia A side.
Whilst he adds some much-needed fresh perspective on the state of Harlequins’ defence, he won’t be the one making the tackles; but Launchbury believes his side will be ‘desperate’ to defend this season.
“The proof is in the pudding though,” he said. “It’s all well and good me sitting here talking, but we’ll be a much more organised defence and it’s up to us as players.
“It’s got to be a bit desperate now, I don’t want to be associated with a team who are seen as soft and easy to score tries against.”