Harlequins will be looking to blossom on and off the field under the shrewd stewardship of Brian McDermott
Dorn raids could be key to capital club's season
Finishing ninth for a second successive year may suggest stagnation has set in at the Twickenham Stoop, but Quins made strides both on and off the field in 2008.
Coach Brian McDermott's squad may not have threatened to finish in the top six but they proved with their 28-24 win over Leeds in June that they can compete with the best.
The off-season has been a case of out with the old as Henry Paul, who has switched codes again, and Scott Hill have both left after playing crucial roles at the club.
Australian Mark McLinden and Julien Rinaldi of France have also left for their homelands while speedy winger Rikki Sheriffe and forward Michael Worrincy were lost to the Bradford Bulls.
With so many departures McDermott has been busy adding some fresh blood to his squad after Quins were awarded a three-year Super League license.
A familiar face has returned to the capital in Aussie Luke Dorn, who scored 36 tries in 52 appearances in his first spell with the club.
Dorn will be joined in London by compatriots Luke Williamson and Chad Robinson, the pair being drafted in from the NRL to bulk up the pack.
The other new faces have come from closer to home, Jason Golden joining from Wakefield while hooker Ben Kaye, who made a try-scoring debut against Quins for the Rhinos, has been snapped up from Leeds.
Matt Gardner gets another chance to play in the top flight, coming in as a replacement for the departed Sheriffe out wide.
The other new face is Mick Nanyn, McDermott deciding to give the Scotland international a long overdue chance in the top division after an impressive career in the National Leagues.
A goal-kicking centre, Nanyn's arrival will help take some of the pressure of captain Rob Purdham, who impressed in England's difficult World Cup campaign, when it comes to slotting over the extras.
Perhaps the biggest battle for Quins comes off the field. In an area dominated by the 15-man code, youngsters like the promising Will Sharp coming through the ranks proves the club are doing all they can to become established.
Phil Clarke's one to watch - Will Sharp
I think that he will win the Man of Steel award at some time in the next five years. His performance at full-back in the Quins final game of last season was amazing.
One of the most exciting players in Super League. I can't wait to see him in action during 2009.
