Former England international rugby captain and Harlequin FC No. 8 Nick Easter has tipped the club’s new signing Dave Ward to be a success for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union champions as the new season gets ready to kick off in a month’s time. Ward was signed by The Quins from the RFU Championship side the Cornish Pirates after he impressed the scouts of the club present when The Pirates took on Bristol Rugby in the playoffs of the RFU Championship.
Moreover, his displays for The Pirates have also made an impact on the former England skipper who followed the player during the playoffs on television. According to Easter, the hooker, who has played more than 100 games for The Pirates in the second tier of English professional rugby, has all the makings of a big star in the Aviva Premiership and has also got the requisite experience of playing in big games to make an immediate impact with Harlequin FC.
Although some people believe that the club didn’t have to go out and sign another No. 2 when the likes of 23 year old Joe Gray as well as 21 year old Rob Buchanan are already in the side, Easter believes that the young players are good enough for the future, but not the present and they still have a long way to go before nailing down a starting place in the side.
Easter also admitted that the retirement of Matt Cairns necessitated the need for Harlequin FC to sign an experienced player in his position and Ward is one player who fits the bill to the T. There are, however, still some reservations if his lack of experience in the top tier of English professional rugby will prove to be a hindrance or not in the long term.