Quins sign Kiwi star in hunt for silverware

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Under Dean Richards, the aristocrats of English rugby have shed their soft-touch image and are still contenders for a place in the Guinness Premiership playoffs going into the final round.

But they will be outsiders to keep their place in the top four with a last-day date at Leicester after picking up only a bonus point in last weekend's 23-16 defeat by Sale.

Richards has struggled to fill the fly-half berth in three seasons in charge at the Stoop, frustrated with the frail Andrew Mehrtens, hiring Australian journeyman Chris Malone and now watching Adrian Jarvis playing out the last weeks of his contract before joining Bristol.

But Evans, a 16-cap New Zealander in the prime of his career at 27, has now committed to Quins, effectively ruling himself out of the 2011 World Cup.

"I don't think I'll be going back," Evans said. "You never say never but my full commitment will be to Harlequins for three years. I would have been a fool not to take this opportunity.

"I sat down and talked to my family and they are all really proud of what I've done."

The deal had been on the table since the start of the year and the New Zealand Union spent four months trying to talk the Auckland Blues star out of the move.

"I'm delighted Nick has decided to join," Richards said. "He is a highly skilled and versatile player with a wealth of experience."

England flanker Richard Hill will bring down the curtain on his top-flight career at an unfamiliar venue as Saracens, thumped 66-21 by Bath, have been forced to switch Saturday's game against Bristol to Milton Keynes. Vicarage Road is out of bounds because of Watford's involvement in the Championship play-offs.

London Irish are also out of the play-off reckoning, although Topsy Ojo and Shane Geraghty enhanced their England prospects with tries in the 43-20 win over Leeds.

But Wasps, who play their game in hand tomorrow night at Newcastle, can edge their way back into the top four following a 25-17 setback against Gloucester.

They should also pick up five points on the final day of the regular season at doomed Leeds.