women
Premiership-womens-rugby
Former Wallabies back row Scott Fava has joined Harlequins as Defense Coach ahead of the 2026/27 JAECOO Women’s Rugby Premiership season.
The 50-year-old has enjoyed a successful playing career, winning a Super Rugby title with the Brumbies, earning five caps for Australia and represented his country in rugby sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Since retiring, Fava has built an impressive coaching resume, serving as the Wallaroos’ defense coach in the Rugby World Cup 2021, which (held in 2022) before spending the past four years as head coach of the Brumbies in Super Rugby Women. Under his leadership, the Canberra side reached five semi-finals.
Fava said: “I’m looking forward to getting going and being integrated into such a great family-focused club. I see a lot of good intentions in what we’re already doing defensively, but I want to try and add a bit more about our systems and processes to help us when we’re under fatigue on the pitch.
“I’ve already done a few remote parts before I flew over, in terms of trying to implement some of the things we want to do. I think during the Cup you could see that growth and progress in our performances. I want to help the players grow as individuals and as players.”
Ross Chisholm, Harlequins head coach, said: “We are delighted to welcome Scott to Harlequins. He comes with proven experience at both international and club level in the women’s game and his experience with the Wallaroos and Brumbies will be invaluable in our environment.
“His playing record speaks for itself, but he has also built an extremely impressive body of work as a coach in the women’s and men’s game. I look forward to working with Scott and am confident he will be a great asset to the club and the program.”
Fava’s arrival comes as Harlequins battle a growing injury list ahead of the new campaign. Club Captain Aoife Wafer and Wales defender Kayleigh Powell has already been ruled out for the start of the season, while the club confirmed this week that Spaniards Clàudia Peña Hidalgo, Silvia Turani, Lizzie Hanlon and Sarah Perry will also miss the opening games.
Harlequins have also confirmed the departure of assistant coach Chris Laidlaw, who has joined the Scotland women’s program full-time following the completion of his secondment.