Harlequins academy coach Howard Graham has warned his youngsters their services are likely to still be required in the top flight, despite a raft of stellar signings at the Stoop.

Director of rugby Conor O’Shea has added British & Irish Lions pair Adam Jones and Jamie Roberts and Australia captain James Horwill to the squad this term, alongside the like of rising Samoan star Winston Stanley.

The club are seeking to bounce back from last season’s disappointing eighth place finish in the Premiership table and re-affirm their position as one of the domestic game’s leading lights.

And Graham, who will take a squad to the Premiership Sevens at the Ricoh Arena on August 21, admits it will be all hands on deck once the season starts on October 16 when Quins face Wasps.

“We will have a lot of good young boys who will put in a good performance on the park in the Sevens,” he said.

“Joe Marchant was still at school and got player of the tournament last year. I’m looking for to it.”

He added: “We have got quite a few international players in the squad and when those players are gone it reduces the squad numbers and the boys will have to step up.

“There will be injuries and when you get that chance you have to take it. Some of the younger boys up front won’t be expecting to get thrown in there.”