Harlequins Sign Hooker Ward

Harlequins have announced the signing of Pirates hooker Dave Ward to cover the injury crisis they're currently facing.

The 26 year old has made over 100 appearances for Pirates and also been involved with Bath and Saints but only managed one start for Northampton in the prem.

Not sure what to make of this signing, I have no idea what the guys like and haven't heard anything of him. We'll just have to wait and see but does anyone know anymore on him?

Replacement for the retiring Cairns.

I saw him play for the Pirates against Cross Keys in the British and Irish Cup semi final on Saturday. He came on in the second half and was really prominent in the loose.

Remember him for Bath a few seasons ago now. Never did anything wrong as far as I recall.

Prop, I imagine we'll see him on the bench a few times though? We only have Buchanan and he looked like he'd picked up a knock on Friday night.

Cheers Luckless, his photo makes him look pretty small, I take it he's not going to be a beast in the scrums and stuff then?

Last Saturday's the only time I've seen him play. I imagine if he was a beast in the scrums he'd have lasted longer at the Premiership clubs you mentioned.

That's pretty much what I assumed.

He was the sort of hooker who would have made a good flanker I think, offered plenty around the park. I can't remember why he left Bath to be honest, I don't recall him ever having a mare.

Penzance to Twickenham is becoming a well established route isnt it?

Solid club player me thinks.

Wardy is the outstanding hooker in the Championship, elected to the Dream Team (by DoR's, not opinionated journo's) in the past two seasons, despite sharing hooker's duties with the nearly-as-outstanding Rob Elloway.

Elusive and quick in the loose, often ends up (and sometimes starts) in the back row. Darts have been iffy in the past, but I believe that they've been improving. Certainly a good club player, and interesting to see how he goes with another chance in the Prem.

Bathmad, they're all coming for a taste of the big city and the gold paved streets

He sounds like a good replacement for Grey who's a very similar type of hooker, hopefully we'll see him on the bench this weekend and we can see how he goes.

Is the signing instant?
I assumed he would join the squad at the start of next season.

He's injury cover for Brooker who will miss just about all of next season. He joins Quins for the new season.

That's two ex Bath academy hookers Quins have now! As Mears and Dixon were the incumbents,neither were prepared to stick around and left which was fair enough. Hawkins also left and went to Leicester.

Ward was always very mobile and very strong for a relatively slightly built front rower. I remember him playing against Leinster when we lost at home, having beaten them in Dublin. Good player who was well thought of at the time, he left along with Hudson who is now skipper of Newcastle.

Lots of mighty midgets coming through at Hooker!!!