Trio commit to long term future to Harlequins

Harlequins is thrilled to confirm that Lucas Friday, Elliot Williams and Tate Williams have signed long-term contract extensions to remain at The Stoop.

The highly touted England U20 trio graduated into the Senior Academy ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and have since gone on to make an impact at first team level.

Friday, aged 20, has been tested at the top level through the 2025/26 season, with 20 first team appearances to date. The scrum-half is a Junior World Champion (2024) and was thrust into a starting spot last term following recovery from a long-term injury. He starred in several key performances last season, most notably playing 80 minutes in Harlequins' memorable away victory over La Rochelle in the Investec Champions Cup.

Elliot Williams, a 19-year-old lock, also made his senior breakthrough last season debuting in both the Gallagher PREM and Investec Champions Cup just weeks apart. The former Under-18s captain featured on 12 occasions for Harlequins last term and now has 10 England U20 appearances under his belt too ahead of his second year in the senior set-up.

His namesake, Tate Williams, is also 19 years old. The powerful number 8, who can also be deployed across the back row, made his debut away to Northampton Saints in the PREM Rugby Cup in January 2025. A month later, he made his England U20 debut in the U20 Six Nations and has since earned seven U20 caps alongside Lucas and Elliot. Williams currently attends the University of Bath and played an integral role in their historic 2025/26 BUCS Super Rugby treble-winning season.

On the trio of long-term renewals, Head Coach Jason Gilmore said: “We’re really pleased to announce the renewals of Lucas (Friday), Elliot (Williams) and Tate (Williams). They’re three young men who have incredibly bright futures ahead of them and all have the capability to contribute to the Harlequins jersey for many years.

“Lucas is developing his all-round game as a scrum-half nicely, and we have already seen what he can do at the top level of the Club game after being put into a starting spot last season. He’s got a great attention to detail and real desire to learn from those around him.

“Elliot is another who took his opportunity last season when called upon. He’s a physical second row who works well in the contact area and set-piece, and we’re excited to see how he continues to grow in our environment.

“Tate is a powerful back rower who has the qualities to influence matches in both the tight areas of the game, and in the loose when he gets ball in hand. We’ll continue to work closely with the University of Bath on his development while he completes his education, but we’re excited by the qualities he can bring to the first team when his opportunity comes.”