Harlequins’ new boss Jason Gilmore has revealed that tying down Chandler Cunningham-South is high of his to-do listing, with Sale pursuing the explosive England again row.
The 22-year-old is out of contract on the finish of the season and, as one in every of Quins’ major ball carriers, they’re determined to retain him.
However Gilmore, who was promoted to Senior Coach at The Stoop after the abrupt departure of Danny Wilson to the Wales set-up, acknowledges they’ve a battle on their fingers.
“He’s clearly going to be a participant that individuals need, isn’t he? When he’s off contract, he’s going to be in excessive demand. If I used to be at an outdoor membership, I’d be taking a look at him as properly. There aren’t too many boys constructed along with his energy,” mentioned the Australian defence specialist.
“He’s uncooked, however he’s studying, and his ceiling is so excessive nonetheless. We undoubtedly need to preserve him; he’s a very large a part of our workforce. Hopefully, he feels snug on the membership, and he can see that we are able to develop him, however he’s undoubtedly going to be in excessive demand.
“I’ve solely simply bought my ft beneath the desk. I don’t know what’s happening within the background – I haven’t been aware about these conversations, however I’ll undoubtedly be catching up with our recruitment division to see the place that’s sitting as a result of he’s going to be in excessive demand and we don’t need to lose him.
“It’s undoubtedly a precedence.”
Cunningham-South, who took his England cap tally to 17 on the summer season tour to Argentina and the USA, joined Quins two years in the past from London Irish.
Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who prised promising hooker Nathan Jibulu away from Quins in the summertime, denied having made an method to Cunningham-South however confirmed he’s on the membership’s radar.
“There’s a number of that we’re speaking to subsequent yr. Any good again rower – and all of it will depend on our personal retention – we’ll get in contact and have a chat with,” mentioned Sanderson.
“How we play the sport, how we need to play the sport, we’re taking a look at carry dominance as being a serious function as a part of their repertoire, let’s consider. Chandler’s (numbers) are up there.
“I haven’t had a chat to him but, personally. These rumours are likely to unfold by means of the altering room and out typically even earlier than something really occurs.”
