Chalmers ready to stay at Quins

Scotland fly-half Craig Chalmers is set to extend his loan spell at Harlequins until the end of the season.

Quins have had discussions with the 32-year-old and his club side Glasgow Caledonians and expect that the deal, which brought Chalmers to The Stoop last month, can be continued.

Chalmers is not registered for Quins' European Shield tie this weekend and would next be needed for their Zurich Premiership clash with Gloucester on 6 February.

Chalmers' initial loan spell ended with last weekend's Tetley's Bitter Cup semi-final victory against Leicester, but after missing six goal-kicks in that tie he is relishing a return.

"I would like the opportunity to put that right," he said.

Quins expect to have Ireland fly-half Paul Burke back early next month after recovering from a broken arm, but it is unlikely that he would return to the first-team squad immediately.

In Chalmers' absence, Matt Powell will switch to fly-half when Quins face French club Perigeux on Saturday night in their final away match of the Shield's pool stage.

Mike Friday will play scrum-half and Niall Woods is back on the wing and will take over the goal-kicking duties from Chalmers.

The only change in the pack is in the back row where Rory Jenkins takes over from Scotsman Eric Peters, who is not registered.

If Quins win their remaining two pool games - the last is against Ebbw Vale on Saturday week - they are guaranteed a home tie in the quarter-finals.

Quins, meanwhile, have said they will not appoint a successor to head coach Zinzan Brooke, who resigned on 1 January, until the end of the season at the earliest.

Chief executive Mark Evans, who is standing in as coach, is drawing up a short list of potential candidates.

Supporters who buy two full-priced tickets for Harlequins' Tetley's Bitter Cup Final against Newcastle at Twickenham on 24 February will be offered the chance to buy tickets for England's autumn internationals against Australia, South Africa or Romania.