Harlequins
Neil McMillan Joins Harlequins
By Prof
April 1 2008
Quins have announced the signing of Neil McMillan from Ulster where he has played for the last seven seasons after previously being in the Academy at Leicester where Dean Richards first worked with him. While Harlequins' back row has received a lot of plaudits during the 2007-8 season one position where they have been lacking in depth is at openside with only Skinner being an out-and-out seven. If Will Skinner keeps up his current fantastic form McMillan will have a job getting the 7 shirt from him but it is always best to have strong competition for all positions in the team, and it's handy to have a good back up if Skinner is likely to be called up for international duty - perhaps at Saxons level.
He has played for Ireland at Schools, U19, U21, 7s and A level. In 2003 he won the Irish rugby young player of the year award and was part of the Bristol Royal Academy's cup winning team in 1997.
As with a number of Quins' signings of late he has had a bad time with injuries missing large parts of two seasons and having reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November 2004 after injuring it in pre-season.
| Date of Birth: | 15/5/1981 |
| Height: | 5'11" (1.80m) |
| Weight: | 15st 13lbs (101kg) |
| Previous Clubs: | Ballymena, Ulster |
McMillan's experience in the Heineken Cup, where he has scored five tries over the years, should be useful for Quins in the years ahead.
On the Harlequins site Dean Richards said:
"I have known Neil since his early days at Leicester, and I am looking forward to being a part of his future development. Neil is a genuine number seven. He is a great tackler, with a huge work rate."
Neil said:
"I have been with Ulster for seven years and, although I have had a great time at the club, I feel that it is the right time to take the next step. Quins will be a new and exciting challenge. I respect everything that Dean and his squad have achieved so far this season. Harlequins is a young and dynamic team, and I am looking forward to being a part of it next season."
It seems that many Ulster fans are disappointed to see him leave and many have said that if he hadn't had a series of injuries he would have definitely made the full Ireland squad.
He is described as being speedy, strong and robust whose game suits a free flowing & passing game - just the sort of game that Quins have been playing so well recently. His experience as captain of Ulster will also be a great asset to such a young team as Quins. Here's hoping his injury jinxes are over and that he has a long and successful career with us.
Welcome to the club Neil
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I'll check him out.
BTW It's Heineken
Quote:Quinten Poulsen
Great news, glad to see it confirmed. Should keep some of the moaners about when we announce our signings happy. Welcome and good luck, Neil.
And your not a moaner then?
ANDRE VOS/DAVID WILSON/NICK EVANS ARE HARLEQUIN LEGENDS
(Moan over!)
Welcome to the club! Competition for starting places in the team is vital if we are to maintain the performances we've seen of late.
However, (my moan!) - not sure that 'McMillan' works quite as well as 'Keoooogh!' or 'Ugooooo!' from the crowd - perhaps he would like to change his name by deed-poll?? :-)
Quote:And your not a moaner then?
I meant moaning about holding back on announcing signings. I like to moan about other things.
ANDRE VOS/DAVID WILSON/NICK EVANS ARE HARLEQUIN LEGENDS
I'll get me coat.
QUIN KONG
ON ON ON 'QUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote:quins_hants - What's wrong with Neilooooooooooooooo?
Or "Macca!"
