while the losers are likely to finish 6^th and will be waiting on the result of the European Challenge Cup Final between Worcester and Bath before knowing their fate for next season.

After a certain amount of soul searching (will the critics be able to contain themselves) – sorry just had to use that phrase as well!

Seriously, as many of you will know if you read last weekend’s programme I am off to pastures new (and still to be confirmed) at the end of this month having had eight (well truthfully seven) happy years at Harlequins. But the time has come for me to set about a new challenge before I overstay my welcome!

I have to say I have been truly taken aback by some of the kind words that people of said about me and my time at Quins.  It has been tremendous fun (most of the time), and I am delighted that Dean and I were able to close the deal that everyone had been hoping for; New Zealand and Blues fly half Nick Evans joining Quins for three years, before I finished my time at the Club.

Having had eighteen years in the sport, if I ever get around to writing my memoirs there are one or two people who should sit a little nervously waiting for my version of various different events over the years. Clearly the clipboard would be a major feature in any writing of Scotties rugby history, having bounced off many walls and floors in stadiums all over Europe; and only having to be replaced twice in all that time! Helping Viks abseil down Twickenham would be another, although I had not realised it had taken me thirty minutes to get her down!

Being serious for a moment. Harlequins have come a long way in the last eight years under the Chief Executiveship (is there such a word?) of Mark Evans; the atmosphere at the Twickenham Stoop last Sunday showed that. The club is in good health, with a young playing squad that is going places – let’s be honest how many of you at the beginning of the season would have taken the opportunity to win our last game of the season and finish 5^th (and possibly higher!)? Dean and the coaching/playing management are doing an excellent job building a strong and powerful squad which will challenge for honours on a regular basis in the future.

I am sure that I will be back next season to cheer on the boys, and will look forward to catching up with many of you in the bar afterwards and to listen to your version of events on the pitch. I have to say it has never ceased to amaze me how many different versions of events on the pitch you can come up with!

Thanks again for your kind words and for your support for the team over the years; and for those of you travelling to Leicester on Saturday be “Loud and Proud” –make sure the boys hear you- stranger things have happened in sport than London Irish beating Sale!

Thank you and good night!

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