New Harlequins forwards coach Alex Codling is "honoured" and "excited" to be back at the club where he made 46 appearances as a player.

The former Ealing Trailfinders head coach became the third addition to the Quins rugby department after the appointment of Paul Gustard as head of rugby and Billy Millard as general manager.

Codling said: “It has been a busy, manic couple of days but as you can tell I am honoured and excited to be back at the club.

“It all happened very quickly. Paul (Gustard) got in contact and asked if I would be interested.

“Obviously it is a fantastic opportunity and I am delighted to be here. I look forward to working with Paul, the rest of the coaching team and all the players.

“Paul and I both want a really successful season and it is about making sure now that we nail the detail over this pre-season. We are both hugely excited about what is coming.

“We have outstanding players and it is about getting the ready pre-season and hitting the season hard in September.”

As a player, the 44-year-old was handed one England cap by Clive Woodward in a clash against Argentina in 2002.

After retirement Codling has coached at several clubs including Ebbw Vale, where he won the WRU Coach of the Year award, before moving on to Barking and Rotherham Titans as head coach.

Codling’s CV also boasts periods at Rosslyn Park, Ulster Rugby and Ireland U18s.