mens
Gallagher-Prime Minister
Harlequins will be without again England Fly-half Marcus Smith for Saturday afternoon’s trip to Gloucester, but George Furbank will be fit after passing his return-to-play protocols.
Quins boss Jason Gilmore says Smith, who injured a finger in a friendly against Edinburgh, is training with the rest of the squad but could return for the trip to Sale Sharks on Sunday or at the opening Challenge Cup draw against Vannes.
England loosehead Finn Baxter is also closing in on a return to action but Gilmore says he is still a week or two away, while Furbank will make his first PREM appearance for Quins following his summer move from Northampton Saints.
“Smithy won’t be playing this week, but it won’t be too far. Hopefully next, if not next, then Valves game definitely. I hope he’ll be on track next week.
“He just hit his finger. So he just had to straighten it out and stuff like that and just make sure there’s no tendon damage or anything like that.”
“Hopefully just a week, it just needs a little bit more and that’s the finger, so strap it up, and hopefully he’ll be ready to go next week,” Gilmore told RugbyPass.
Meanwhile, Quins announced that the former 2014 World Juniors winner and Rugby World Cup under 20 years Player of the year James Chisholm has been forced to retire.
Back-rower Chisholm, who played 164 games for Quins and scored 21 tries, won player of the year twice in 2017 and 2018, had to concede defeat in his bid to return to fitness after rupturing his Achilles in January 2025.
“Obviously it’s been an uphill battle recovering from my Achilles injury, and unfortunately my body just can’t get to it. I still have the desire to play and I’ve been really looking forward to this season and I’ve given my all in pre-season.
“We tried everything, but I just couldn’t get it. I feel good about it, and now I’m at peace with the decision. The Stoop was a great place to play my rugby, and I’d like to thank everyone who supported me.”
“It wasn’t always easy because I was hurt so much and people had to be patient. But to everyone who ever came to support me, talk to me and cheer me on – thank you so much,” he said.
