Harlequins announce Baldwin and Campagnaro signings for next season

Paul Gustard recently moved to tie down 12 current squad members to the west London outfit and the latest additions will strengthen his options.

Scott Baldwin, Toby Freeman, Simon Kerrod, Stephan Lewies, Glen Young, Michele Campagnaro and the Argentine duo of Martin Landajo and Santiago Garcia Botta have all signed ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Baldwin

Hooker Baldwin arrives from the Ospreys with 34 Welsh caps.

“I am going there to win trophies and I know they have the squad and the mind-set to do it,” he said.

“There is something special going on at Harlequins at the moment and I am looking forward to starting my Gallagher Premiership career there next season.”

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “We have followed him in the Pro14 and he has impressed with his attitude, his humour and all-round technical ability.

“He is a big man, who excels in the set-piece and is abrasive both sides of the ball around the field.

“He will add leadership qualities to our group and brings a wealth of experience to the squad.”

READ: 'We've another trophy we want to win' - Grand Slam winner sets sights on league title

Campagnaro

Italian Campagnaro brings with him a wealth of experience, including winning the Premiership with Exeter, despite his young age, 26.

If selected for his country, the 42-cap international will join the Club after the World Cup.

He said: “I was very impressed with the winning culture that Paul Gustard has created at Harlequins and I know he is building a squad capable of winning a lot of trophies.”

Powerful scrummager Santiago Garcia Botta, 26, joins from Argentinian side Jaguares. The international was part of the side that got to the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup.

Botta will be joined by scrum-half and countryman Martin Landajo who will provide leadership and competition to Danny Care for the number nine jersey.

Former Rotherham and Nottingham second row Freeman joins from Cornish Pirates whilst South-African born tighthead Kerrod arrives from Worcester Warriors and is English-qualified.

READ: Quins prepare for next season with retention of top talent

South African international Lewies, 27, is currently on loan with Lions but played the majority of his career in South Africa with Sharks, where he made 80 appearances having made his way up through the ranks, playing in the Currie Cup aged 21 in 2013.

Another second rower, Young will join Harlequins from Newcastle Falcons for the start of the 2019/20 season.

Second row Young, who has represented Scotland U20s, has been with Newcastle since he played for their U18s in 2012/13.

He played the 2015/16 season on dual registration with Doncaster Knights and was named in the Championship Dream Team that season.

Quins currently sit third in the league and with a Challenge Cup quarter-final on the horizon the season is already seen as a success by many.