HARLEQUINS are out to lift the European Rugby Challenge Cup tonight in memory of tragic prop Seb Adeniran-Olule.
The club announced on Wednesday the 20-year-old former Whitgift School student had been killed in a car crash, less than 72 hours before tonight’s final clash with Montpellier in Lyon.
Players will observe a minute’s silence in memory of the England U20 international ahead of the encounter as Quins go in hunt of their fourth European trophy.
Quins, who will wear black armbands as a mark of respect, are no strangers to grief, having mourned the loss of promising scrum half Nick Duncombe in 2003 at the age of 21.
And back row forward Luke Wallace revealed Adeniran-Olule would be on everyone’s mind when they take to the pitch in France.
“Rest in peace big lad. Friday’s for you.” he tweeted after the news of youngster’s passing broke.
Director of rugby Conor O’Shea added: “He will be sorely missed by the whole squad as well as by the wider club.”
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The occasion was certain to be tinged with emotion as it marks the end of O’Shea’s six-year spell in charge.
The European Rugby Challenge Cup – then known as the Amlin Cup – was the first trophy the Irishman claimed in 2011 after his appointment in 2010.
Quins rounded off their Premiership campaign with a humbling 62-24 defeat to Exeter Chiefs on Saturday to tumble out of the automatic qualification places for next year’s European Rugby Champions Cup.
O’Shea, who has also claimed the Premiership title and LV=Cup in his time at the club, has made eight changes to the 15 that started last weekend.
Prop Joe Marler, Joe Gray, Adam Jones, James Horwill and Sam Twomey all come in to the front five, while player of the year Wallace returns to the back row.
Winger Tim Visser and centre George Lowe have recovered from knocks to start, with Dave Ward, Mark Lambert, Karl Dickson and Ross Chisholm all named among the replacements.
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