SEAN LONG has a new coaching role following his departure from Oldham, returning to Premiership rugby union side Harlequins.

Long led the Roughyeds to a top-four finish in the Championship this year, after winning the League One title the previous year, but left by mutual consent in November.

The former St Helens great has already had one spell at Harlequins – a 15-month role as attack coach under former boss Paul Gustard back in 2019.

Long has returned as a consultant after being approached by the club to return to the capital, ending a period back in rugby league which began as an assistant at Leeds Rhinos from 2021, then took in head coach spells with Featherstone Rovers (in 2023) and Oldham.

The 49-year-old told The Rugby Paper: “I always keep a close eye on rugby union and have kept in touch with (England and Quins star) Marcus Smith from my first spell at Harlequins.

“Marcus will ring me up for advice about his game and we just bounce ideas off each other really.

“I then went down to Harlequins to do some CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and spent a day with them. A lot of the staff are still here from before, except Jason Gilmore who is now the senior coach.

“I’ve got a bit of unfinished business at Quins and my first spell here definitely helped me when I went back to league with Leeds Rhinos.”