Maddy Grant's Quins switch rewarded with emotional play-off berth

When outside back Maddy Grant needed a club and Harlequins needed a flanker, the two struck up an unlikely but successful partnership.

The Canada international started at blindside flanker as Quins secured a play-off spot for the first time in three seasons with a dramatic win over Exeter Chiefs in Round 16.

A converted try four minutes from time brought the 2021 champions back from behind and instigated jubilant celebrations among the travelling contingent, even for Grant who has only been with the club for two months.

“It really came down to the wire. Everyone was just overwhelmed with emotion,” said Grant.

“We've wanted it so badly so to come up with the result and get to the semi-final, I had tears in my eyes. People were screaming and hugging each other.

“Since I came in December, the main focus has been to stay in that top two. We've been first and second for quite a few weeks now, and it was just a matter of staying there and achieving that semi-final spot, and we did that. 

“We knew what we wanted. It was like, no matter what the scoreline is, we just had the belief that we were going to win that game.”

If you didn't already know, Maddy Grant is 𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗗! 💨#COYQ #EXEvHAR pic.twitter.com/mJfDgbtfxw

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Grant has had plenty to adapt to since making the switch from Canada in December.

Not only has she moved to a new club in a new country, but she has also picked up a new position in the process.

The opportunity to join Quins came after her international teammate Sara Svoboda suffered a long-term injury. And while Grant has previously played on the wing and in the centres, she has now been deployed as a back row for Quins.

It means the switch has been accompanied with plenty of learning, but that has been made all the easier thanks to her new squad.

She added: “Since coming in, it’s been great. The staff here are lovely. It just felt like I had a home away from home from day one, and everyone was super welcoming.

“Coming as a back row, I had only really played [that position] at uni, so there's been a lot of growth, lots of learnings over the last month and a bit.

“I always say I would rather ask a stupid question than look stupid on the field.

“But everyone's been super helpful and willing to sit down and do those extra sessions with me so I can get caught up. I couldn't have asked for better teammates to help me.”

Grant also had an eye on the impending World Cup this summer when she made the decision to uproot her life in her home country to experience rugby overseas.

Having taken a break from Canada’s XV side to focus on her degree in geographic computer science and philosophy, Grant needed to find a team to get her back in contention.

“We don't have a great club season in Canada. So, I reached out to our [Canada] head coach, Kévin Rouet, and said, ‘Listen, you need to help me. I don't know what the hell I'm doing with my life. What can I do?’” said the 23-year-old.

“He said Quins needed back row cover. I got in touch the next day and within the next week I had signed my contract and got my flights. Everything was decided within five or six days. 

“I wanted to go over to the PWR because the World Cup is this year, and I want to put my hand up for as many positions as possible to go to the World Cup.”

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It is a mindset shared by many of her international teammates with several of the Canada squad currently plying their trade in the Premiership Women's Rugby and forming a community away from home.

“We're all aiming for that World Cup gold medal. So it's like, ‘What sacrifices do we have to make to get there?’" Grant explained.

"The PWR is the best competition for women's rugby so we all want to be here and be putting our hands up for selection.

“We have a massive group chat of all of us that are over here. It's cute, every week when we play with each other, we take a little photo together and send it in the group chat. 

“It’s just chit chat back and forth about life here. It's great having so many of us here, because no matter where you go, it's like having a piece of home with you.”