Harlequins confirm list of players leaving

Harlequins have confirmed the following players will depart the Club at the conclusion of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.

Makeen Alikhan (flanker), Lovejoy Chawatama (prop), Will Collier (prop), Theo Currie (second-row), Will Edwards (fly-half), Andre Esterhuizen (centre), Santiago Garcia Botta (prop), Max Green (scrum-half), Louis Lynagh (wing), Jonny Smith (flanker) and Luke Wallace (flanker).

Director of Rugby Billy Millard said: “I want to thank our departing players for their contribution to Harlequins and for everything they have given throughout their time at the Club. It’s been a pleasure to work with these players and I have no doubt they will succeed in their next chapter, whether that’s in rugby or in their transition into a new career.

“We look forward to saying our goodbyes and thanking the players following Saturday’s match at The Stoop. I know the Quins faithful will provide them with a fitting farewell and thank them for their excellent service and dedication to our Club.”

Makeen Alikhan

Makeen Alikhan joined the Senior Academy in 2021/22 and achieved three appearances, making his debut against Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup in 2021. The flanker joined the Dallas Jackals in March for the 2024 MRL season.

Lovejoy Chawatama

Lovejoy Chawatama joins Bristol Bears for the 2024/25 campaign. The tighthead prop signed for Quins as injury cover in June 2023, making seven appearances. Prior to Quins, Chawatama registered 93 appearances for London Irish and enjoyed stints with Clifton RFC, London Scottish and London Welsh.

Will Collier

Will Collier departs Quins for a new playing opportunity in the French Top 14. The Club stalwart departs as a two-time Gallagher Premiership winner, with more than 240 appearances to his name and two caps for England. The Academy graduate joined the Club in 2009 and made his debut in the LV= Cup match against Wasps in Abu Dhabi in 2011. He has since achieved 241 appearances over 13 seasons, playing a key role in the Club’s Premiership titles in 2012 and 2021.

Theo Currie

Theo Currie is a product of Gordon’s School and has been a member of the Harlequins Academy. The second-row has been studying at Swansea University, and represented Scotland U20 in the 2024 U20 Six Nations.

Will Edwards

Will Edwards joined Harlequins in November 2020 and achieved 33 appearances and 110 points. The fly-half, who played more than 85 matches for England 7s, made his Quins debut against Munster in December 2020 before earning his Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers in May 2021. His standout performance came in Big Game 13 against Northampton Saints, guiding Quins to a thrilling 41-27 victory.

Andre Esterhuizen

Andre Esterhuizen returns to South Africa next season to link up with his former club The Sharks in the URC. ‘Andre the Giant’ departs Quins with 89 appearances to his name, playing a pivotal role in Quins’ spectacular run to the Gallagher Premiership title in 2020/21. A World Cup winner with the Springboks in 2023, the 30-year-old has scored 27 tries across four seasons and was voted the RPA Players’ Player of the Year in 2022, alongside the Harlequins Players’ Player of the Season and DHL Fans Player of the Season in 2021/22.

Santiago Garcia Botta

Santiago Garcia Botta retires from rugby to transition into a new career as a strength and conditioning coach. The Argentinian international, who amassed 62 Quins appearances and 34 Test caps, joined Quins in 2019/20 before helping the Club to the 2020/21 Premiership title. Garcia Botta also enjoyed stints with the Jaguares in Super Rugby, Stade Francais in the Top 14, and represented Argentina at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Max Green

Max Green joined Harlequins in September 2023. The scrum-half achieved nine caps in the Quarters, making his debut against Gloucester Rugby in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Prior to his move to Quins, the former England U20 representative made 33 appearances for Bath Rugby from 2017 to 2023 and featured on loan at Jersey Reds in 2020/21 and Bristol Bears in 2021/22.

Louis Lynagh

Louis Lynagh departs Harlequins to pursue his international aspirations in Italy. The Academy product has signed for URC side Bennetton Rugby after making his Test debut for Italy in the 2024 Six Nations. Lynagh joined Quins at U13 level and has since scored 31 tries in 66 appearances, including two tries in the 2020/21 Premiership final against Exeter Chiefs.

Jonny Smith

Jonny Smith joined the Senior Academy in 2022/23 before making his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup match against London Irish. The flanker, a product of Brighton College, achieved three first-team caps during his time at Quins. He has also represented Scotland U20 and played for Durham University in BUCS Super Rugby.

Luke Wallace

Luke Wallace departed Harlequins in December 2023. The Academy product and Club stalwart achieved 198 appearances over two stints, captaining Quins to the A-League title and LV= Cup title in 2012/13. Wallace is one of a select group of players to have helped Quins achieved both of their Premiership titles in 2011/12 and 2020/21.