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Jeff Hassler’s hunt for a new contract may soon be over. The Canadian winger is currently partaking in preseason training with English Premiership club Harlequins in the hopes of securing a permanent deal. Originally reported by The Rugby Paper, Hassler can be spotted in a video released on social media.
🎙 We put a mic on Head of Rugby Paul Gustard.
👊 Strap yourselves in… pic.twitter.com/BTABAvH45u
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) July 29, 2018
One of the oldest clubs in England, Harlequins have more than 150 years of history and play their home games at The Stoop, located adjacent to the national stadium at Twickenham. Among the international stars currently at the club are England regulars Joe Marler, Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, and Mike Brown. Former Wallabies lock James Horwill is currently the captain and Paul Gustard has taken over as head coach after serving as an assistant for Eddie Jones with England.
The club signed uncapped England squad member Nathan Earle from Saracens in the off-season and have former Scotland winger Tim Visser on their books. England Sevens cap Charlie Walker and u20 standout Gabriel Ibitoye are also in competition for spots out wide.
It’s been a frustrating few months for the 26-year-old after confirming his departure from Ospreys. After turning down an initial offer to stay at the club Hassler was unable to come to terms elsewhere and with Wales star George North and Namibian flyer Lesley Klim now added there was no longer space on the roster. In five seasons with the Guinness Pro Championship side he made 74 appearances, scoring 25 tries and earning selection to the league’s official Dream Team in his first season.
During his contract limbo Hassler appeared in all three June tests for Canada, bringing his total to 21 caps. After missing the entirety of the 2016 and 2017 test campaigns due to injury he returned in January to win his first cap since the 2015 World Cup, playing the first of the two-leg series against Uruguay before being ruled out of the second.
