GEORGE FURBANK’S FRESH START AT HARLEQUINS CAN LIFT CURSE ON ENGLAND’S BEST FULL-BACK
English rugby’s worst-kept secret is finally out: George Furbank has joined Harlequins.
The move from Northampton Saints, announced on Wednesday and first trailed by Telegraph Sport in December, represents a fresh start that Furbank – and Steve Borthwick, the England head coach – desperately needs.
When fit, Furbank is by far England’s best full-back. The likes of Freddie Steward, Elliot Daly and new team-mate Marcus Smith have their own X factors, but Furbank’s real point of difference is in bringing the best out of those around him. He is what some coaches call a force multiplier, exponentially improving any back line of which he is a part. Several All Blacks noted that Furbank “set [England’s] attack alight” when he faced them in 2024.
“When fit” is the key caveat, though. Furbank has been injured for much of the past 18 months. At times, he has felt cursed. Furbank fractured a forearm in December 2024 before aggravating the same injury while attempting to score a try in his comeback match.
In his second comeback, he suffered a severe concussion in last year’s Champions Cup final against Bordeaux Bègles.
This season, he has been suffering from “five or six recurring issues in both calves” as well as a knee problem. This is the prime reason that he has not appeared for England since the 2024 autumn internationals.
It is also the reason that Northampton felt that they could not push the boat out to retain their club captain, coupled with the emergence of George Hendy, Edoardo Todaro and the precocious James Pater from the academy.
It could well be in all parties’ interests. Sometimes a player just needs a change of environment. Look at Manu Tuilagi or Jonny Wilkinson, who seemingly shrugged off their own injury curses in France.
Furbank must hope that the bright lights of London can have a similar rejuvenating effect on his fortunes. If ever a player looked born to play for Harlequins, then Furbank would be it. The 29-year-old has the potential to form an electric playmaking combination with Smith, which would boost both players’ Test chances.
“George is one of the Prem’s top talents, and we’re excited to be signing a player of his calibre from next season,” Jason Gilmore, the Harlequins head coach, said. “He’s someone we’ve admired for a long time – a player who is composed under pressure, instinctive in broken play, and brings a natural attacking flair that aligns perfectly with how we want to play. His ability to see space before others and step in as a second playmaker will add real quality to our squad.
“George also has a strong ambition to return to the Test arena with England heading into a World Cup year, and we’re really looking forward to seeing the impact he’ll make here at the Stoop.”
In the Champions Cup last-16 match against Castres, Furbank gave a timely reminder of his enduring class, hitting the most sumptuous of lines to score a decisive try. That performance makes his absence during the Six Nations all the harder to explain, particularly after he was declared fit after the opening game of the championship.
For Harlequins and England, given the treacherous summer that beckons, one must hope that Furbank’s luck has finally turned.
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