For Harlequins Ladies the gap between the old and the new season has been shorter than ever.

The summer is a race against time, to sort out niggly injuries that have been patched up game to game to get through the season, and in many cases now is the time to undergo surgery to sort out the more serious issues.

The pre season has already started before pre season has even begun, if you get my meaning.

The players have their individual plans to follow before proper pre season training begins at Surrey Sports Park in July. 

Rachael Burford, Jess Breach, Shaunagh Brown and Ellie Green have all gone under the knife and not to feel left out Jade Konkel, The Queen of Rehab, stabbed herself in the eye with a hairbrush that necessitated a trip to A&E.

For the Red Roses in the Quins bouquet of talent, there has also been no let up, Chloe Edwards, Leanne Riley, and Abbie Scott were all on England duty against the Barbarians,and will soon be off on national service to San Diego in the Women’s World Series.

There are players who will be hoping for a bit more luck this season, Ellie Miles has been in rehab since I’ve known her, if any person deserves a bit of luck then it’s her.

Also Debs McCormack is another who is owed some good fortune both on the club and international front, she had a frustrating 2018/19 so close to a come back only to be thwarted by last minute set backs on so many occasions, both Debs and Ellie are due a big break.

This will be the third season of the Tyrrells Premier 15s and Quins record is hugely impressive, only marred by two defeats to Saracens in the 2018 and 2019 Finals.

In the 41 matches they have played since the league began on 16 September 2017 they have lost only 7 and drawn 1.

Even during these long summer days they are working hard to make it third season lucky, and I for one wouldn’t bet against them.