Jason to hand captaincy to Vos (From This Is Local London)

Jason to hand captaincy to Vos

11:53am Monday 19th August 2002 in

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NEW skipper Jason Leonard is unlikely to keep his Harlequins' captaincy no matter how well he performs (writes LOUISA BISWAS).

The loss of Keith Wood for parts of the season, through international calls, has led to Leonard being awarded the captaincy until the arrival of new signing Andre Vos in two months. Quins' team manager, Mike Scott explained: "It is difficult to have an international as a captain, especially as it is a World Cup year. I know Martin Johnson does it at Leicester, but other clubs don't because of consistency, which is why Vos will take over as he will not be completing in the World Cup."

The club have completed five summer signings, with Nathan Williams, Laurent Gomez, Pablo Cardinali, Viliame Satala and Andre Vos added to the Quins' squad.

Supporters can expect one more addition to the team with a player being temporarily drafted in. Scott revealed: "We may have to recruit a hooker for a loan or a 4-5 week contract, because we are quite short in that department."

After being caught in a relegation battle last season, Scott is certain that the Quins' will not be in that situation again, though he never thought they would be relegated. Scott said: "I can't see us being in last season's position again and we should finish higher than ninth. I would like us to improve on the last two years and be more competitive..

"We didn't play well in parts of last season, but I knew we had a good team. I felt that we were stronger mentally and had more experienced players than other clubs, so relegation wasn't a worry as far as I was concerned."

The Quins' can be seen at Twickenham on Saturday for the Middlesex Sevens.

Quins had mixed fortunes on their trips to Scotland and France, mastering Glasgow 26-7 last Friday but losing 33-22 to Beziers this week.

Despite Alex Codling's late withdrawal, Quins swept aside Glasgow with two tries in each half from new signing Nathan Williams , Matt Powell, Ace Tiatia and Matt Moore. Paul Burke converted two and David Slemen one.

But Harlequins' second pre-season fixture ended in defeat by Beziers at Stade de Mediterrannee, which was used as a World Cup venue in 1999.

Tries by summer signing Nathan Williams and Will Greenwood, with Paul Burke converting one of them after kicking a penalty, put Quins 15-9 in front. But Beziers then took over and Quins only consolation was a penalty try right at the end, converted by Ben Gollings.

Quins next first team match will be at home to Gloucester in the Zurich Premiership on Saturday August 31.