Experienced PREM coach in Red Roses move as Harlequins add ex-England forward to staff
Matt Ferguson (left) will now head to the Red Roses, while Joe Gray (right) moves to Harlequins
Experienced PREM Rugby coach Matt Ferguson will make an immediate switch to the Red Roses, joining John Mitchell’s staff as scrum and contact skills coach.
Ferguson’s move to the Red Roses sees him return to the RFU after previous stints with both the women’s side and the Men’s ‘A’ team, and has put pen-to-paper on a long-term deal with the side.
He also brings valuable PREM coaching experience with him, after stints with both Northampton Saints and Harlequins, whom he joined at the start of last season.
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Commenting on the addition of Ferguson, RFU head of women’s performance, Charlie Hayter, said: “Ferg brings a huge amount of experience to the Red Roses and the women’s pathway.
“He has worked at the elite end of the game for over a decade and has a track record for improving the skill set of some of England’s top international forwards in both the men’s and women’s game.
“His expertise and attention to detail will have a big impact on our current Red Roses whilst developing those in our pathway who aspire to be a senior international in the future.”
Elsewhere, current Red Roses assistant Andy Holloway has also committed his future to the national side, following a successful three-year tenure.
“Hollers has played an important part in the Red Roses’ success over the past three years, including the 2025 Rugby World Cup win. He has also had a key role in the progression and development of our pathway players,” Hayter said of Holloway.
“His knowledge and understanding of the players make him a valued member of our performance team, and we’re really pleased to have him continuing with us.”
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With Ferguson now headed to the Red Roses, Harlequins have brought in ex-England hooker Joe Gray as their lead rugby transition coach.
Gray’s move also sees him return to the Stoop, after making 170 appearances for the club during his playing career. He also brings strong coaching experience with him, after serving as both head coach and now director of rugby at London Scottish.
He will transition into the role across the autumn, with Ferguson returning on a part-time basis to assist Gray.
“Leaving Harlequins wasn’t easy,” said Ferguson on his exit from the Stoop. “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.”
Of his return to Harlequins full-time, Gray added: “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.”
Quins head coach, Jason Gilmore, added: “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.
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“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.
Elsewhere, Quins have also moved quickly to tie down scrum coach Adam Jones on a fresh deal.
The Welshman, who initially joined the Londoners as a player in 2015, has now been in the wider coaching group since 2018 and helped Quins win a PREM title in 2021. However, he has also held an interim post with Wales back in 2025, alongside former Quins boss Danny Wilson.
“I’m really pleased to be extending my time at Harlequins,” said Jones of his new deal. “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.”
“I’m also really pleased that Bomb (Adam Jones) has committed his future to the Club,” added Gilmore. “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.”