Jason Gilmore: I’m the right man for Harlequins

Jason Gilmore remains defiant in his belief that he has the leadership skills to turn Harlequins fortunes around.

The Aussie claims he is the “right man” for the task.

He hopes the return of Marcus Smith for the visit to Sale Sharks today will start a revival following last week’s 48-0 thrashing at Gloucester.

Gilmore has called on his players to show real “character” and “to ward off” another setback in their bid to be title challengers once more, and avoid another under-performing season languishing at the wrong end of the table.

Bumps along the road

The former Waratahs coach insists: “Am I the right person to lead this club? Yes, I definitely believe I am.

“I have good experience and I know this group well. I also know the direction which is needed to do it.

“We all know there will be bumps along the road. When you do get those bumps I feel I stay strong.

“I’m not going to deviate from what I know will get this club back to where it needs to be.

“I understand the short term focus and want.

“But there are some things within the club we are going to make sure that long term we put in strong foundations as well otherwise we’ll continue the cycle we’ve been in.

“Since Quins won the Premiership six or seven years ago the results have been on a steady decline.

“To turn those around we have to make sure the foundations of our programme – whether that’s strengthening conditioning, recruitment, salary cap management – there’s a lot there to make sure it is strong.

“We have to set it up successfully to ensure the club doesn’t just bounce up and down each year.

“We have to make sure those foundations are good – we understand the short-term.”

Boss: Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore
PICTURE: Getty Images

Foundations

He added: “We will get wins along the way. We want to get success as quickly as we can while building good foundations.

“It needs patience from everybody. Success is quick to lose but takes time to build.

“What we don’t want to do is just throw band aid solutions on things where you go up and down and when you rip the band aid off you don’t get anywhere.

“Everyone wants the club to do we well and we’re striving for it.

“We’ve had a tough weekend but now I believe we will bounce back this Sunday. We have a good group of men who are hurting.”

A win at Sale – who produced a remarkable result at Saracens despite being down to 13 players – would ease any growing concerns about what lies ahead in terms of both domestically and in Europe where they begin their Challenge Cup campaign against Vannes next Sunday.

While Alex Dombrandt and Finn Baxter continue their recoveries, the sight of Smith back on the team sheet is a much-needed bonus.

Gilmore says: “Marcus has been back training and working hard and is keen to play.

“He’s been brilliant behind the scenes because he was disappointed he got that knock against Edinburgh and missed the start.

“As long as he gets through the levels he needs he will play. Smithy is our quarter-back and to get him back playing is a big thing.”