Chris Irvine on Twitter...

Robert Powell is the new Harlequins #rugbyleague coach. Not the Jesus Robert Powell, though he might have been handy at the Stoop.

Rob Powell announced on Facebook.

www.league.quins.co.uk/news/12807.php and on the club website

www.league.quins.co.uk/news/12807.php and on the club website

Oh dear.

PMSL @ the website:

Rob Powell's "long and distinguished pedigree"

I mean I don't mind you talking him up for his association with the club, but don't talk such blatant bollox.

Makes him sound like a pedigree chum! I am also glad it has been made clear that he is not the Jesus Robert Powell, he is from Salford and is rather a good CEO on Holby.

I did say I would come on here and say I told you so, so:-

[size=200I TOLD YOU SO[/size

Oops. Anyone care to bet on us NOT finishing bottom next season?

If we sign Monoghan I would



Give the coach the players and I reckon he will be OK. Remember, Arsene Wenger was not a good player himself.

There are three scenarios to bear in mind here:

1) We're hardly awash with cash and Powell is the cheap option

2) Hughes has appointed Powell on the basis of his prior association with the club, his rapport with senior players and his belief, like McDermott before him, in "The London Project"

3) No-one else of any reasonable pedigree wanted the job (even though various media reported Jon Sharp interested, a vastly more experienced coach than Powell)

If we want to focus on the positives, we can dwell on number 2. Powell has already begun the pre-season with the squad. But one cannot help but overlook his lack of experience, which I'd argue with such a young team is exactly what would be needed.

I really hope he does the business but I can't help feel it's a question of how long before he is sacked or a director of rugby is employed. At least he understands the London systems and the London scene and can sell the London vision to potential players, but I am not sure this will be enough.

That can't be the attitude that Hughes takes and knowing his recent track record I would have thought it isn't. If we're going to go down this route, Powell deserves the same time McDermott was afforded in order to give the job a fair crack. IMO, that's at least a season and possibly two.