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English Premiership club Harlequins are set to announce the signing of US Eagles midfielder Paul Lasike. The 28-year-old captain of the Utah Warriors announced his departure on social media confirming that he had signed with a London club. Multiple sources have now stated that club will be Harlequins with the contract believed to be two years in length.
Hailing from New Zealand, Lasike moved to the USA on a rugby scholarship at BYU where his powerful running game caught the attention of the American football team. In 2012 he made the switch to gridiron and in 2015 landed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears of the NFL after a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals. After one season on the active roster as a fullback he was released in 2017.
He would not stay on the sidelines long. The Warriors signed Lasike to a two-year contract later that year and in 2018 he returned to the rugby pitch. His combination of size and speed saw him called up to the Eagles, for whom Lasike qualifies on residency, and he made his test debut against Chile in the Americas Rugby Championship. He would be elevated to first choice for the June tests which included outstanding performances in the historic win over Scotland and the routing of Canada in Halifax.
Lasike’s impact on the inaugural Major League Rugby season was keenly felt. As captain and inside center he was the central figure in the Warriors side that made the Semi Finals, and was a unanimous selection in the 2018 MLR Dream Team. A move abroad appeared inevitable given his unique characteristics and Kolpak status due to his Tongan ancestry.
Harlequins have been keen to add a physical presence to their midfield after the departure of Wales and Lions star Jamie Roberts. Two-cap All Black Francis Saili is on the books but is expected to be sidelined for several weeks in recovery from a shoulder injury suffered at the end of this past season. Australian international Ben Tapuai and new Scotland cap James Lang are also options, but none have the physical presence of the 113kg (250lbs) Lasike.
The London club finished in 10th spot during the 2017-18 Premiership season, their lowest since the disastrous 2004-05 season that saw them relegated for the first and only time. They were Premiership champions in 2011-12. Among the international stars on the team are England flanker Chris Robshaw and former Australia captain James Horwill. Canadian winger Jeff Hassler is currently on trial at the club.
