Cassius Cleaves press conference | Harlequins vs Northampton Saints

Wing Cassius Cleaves spoke to the press ahead of Saturday's Gallagher PREM clash with Northampton Saints.

The wing discussed:

•⁠  ⁠An emotional final fixture saying farewell to teammates
•⁠  ⁠Giving supporters optimism for the summer
•⁠  ⁠Forging resilience in tough moments
•⁠  ⁠Best quality is availability
•⁠  ⁠Excitement for 2026/27

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Okay, I say Jane.

SPEAKER_02 0:02

I'm good, thank you so far.

SPEAKER_00 0:06

Yeah, good thank you. Good thank you. Um so uh one more uh one more game to go, push push through towards the end of the season. How would you um how do you assess your whole year?

SPEAKER_02 0:19

Um yeah, it's been a long one personally. Um yeah, uh difficult one, really. Um it's been it's been long for sure. It's been um it's been a learning curve. Um it's probably the biggest one. We've learned a lot this year, but um, you know, I think we've we've shown a lot of resilience as a group. There's still been some real big important wins that we've got throughout the year. Um and you know, we're sending a lot of good men off this year, so it'd be nice to finish this weekend um on a high, finish the season on a high. But yeah, as a year it's definitely not but it's been a bit disappointing, um, results-wise, but you know, the the group's real tight and we're we're aware of the goals at hand and and what we need to do this weekend to kind of uh bounce that for next next season. So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:07

You mentioned that obviously um rugby as a sport, um, it is all about you trusting that your mates have got your back and you've got your mates back as well. So you have to build that sort of strength and that group mentality, don't you? So waving off, you know, mates, waving off teammates that that have been so important to you, you know, with a with a win, you know, in uh, you know, whatever that might be, with a performance or the win on Saturday would be would be pretty good, wouldn't it? Pretty special.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

Yeah, 100%. I think what you've said there, the the important thing is is to win, um, to be honest with you. I think that's our main goal going into it. Um, obviously, uh we're we're associated with a with a certain brand of rugby, and that's definitely something that we want to sort of come back to and return to. But uh we think it's been a real positive block um in the last in the last few weeks. Obviously, disappointing result last week, but you know, we uh beat X to uh at Twickenham and uh we put a lot of points on Newcastle away, which is a tough place to go to. Um, so you know it's it's been positive, but like you said, a win's the most important thing this weekend, and to finish the block with a win, but also like you like you touched on, um, those lads who have worked so hard for us over the years, whether it be a few months, we've had a lot of lads on loan with with injuries or or longtime servants like like Tom Lawday and Stefan Levise. Um, it'll be really good to send them away with a win, smiles on faces at the stoop.

SPEAKER_00 2:33

You mentioned obviously there is a DNA, there's a style, there's a there's an approach that you want to play um as a quin and as Carla Quinn's. But part of that, it's like everything else, foundation is the is the keystone, isn't it? The foundation is you can't play the way that you want to play without the ball. And and you know, it starts with D and it works towards the sort of that physicality, and then you can be who you want to be as well. So it it's all it's about a full court game, really, in many respects, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02 3:01

Yeah, 100%. Um, it's been something that we've been really working hard on the last year. Um, I think we've we've seen it in doses this season. Um, like I mentioned before, it's not been um a season that we want to remember loads, but I think we can really take away some important stuff from what's what's gone on this season in terms of some of the some of the times we fronted up, looking at results like La Rochelle away, you know, uh one of the best attacking teams in in Europe over recent years. And we've gone away and got a victory there. The stormers are at home, again, another really competitive team in the URC. And um, yeah, you know, it's something that we're we're pushing to to keep getting better at every week, and it's something we're really working hard on, and something Kiddy's been been pushing ever since he's come in. And I think we're definitely going to see a bit more of it next season with a with a good preseason under our belts as well.

SPEAKER_00 3:53

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I've spoken to Jason the last couple of weeks basically getting an in sort of an indication of his actual level of excitement uh and positivity going into the summer for preseason and take into next season. And added to that, I suppose, individually, those lessons that you learn, the that you know that the for the adversity that you face, it that's what you take into the summer and into preseason yourself individually as well as a group.

SPEAKER_02 4:19

Yeah, definitely. I think it's it's definitely come at a good time, definitely do with some downtime and reflection, but also I think it's a really good opportunity for lads to to work on themselves as individuals, um, both on and off the pitch, you know, coming into to next season with kind of the groundwork that we've set at the end of this block. Um, it'll be a really good opportunity to start fresh again and um like properly work on ourselves, you know. Um as much as it's time to rest, it's also a really good opportunity to get better physically, develop some skills rugby-wise, uh with any given opportunity. So, you know, we're definitely looking forward to some downtime, but also looking at it as a real good opportunity to push on um from this year and really put ourselves back in in the frame of where we want to be. We want to be in the top four every year, we want to be playing Champions Cup every year. And I think if lads can can go away and work real hard, um then it should reflect in results next year, hopefully.

SPEAKER_00 5:14

And just a word on on Northampton from that point of view as well. I mean, that you know, they'll make some changes because of they know where they are uh for for the top four, but um it doesn't matter if they change, they're very, very strong. So it's a it's a really good opportunity to finish the season positively against the side that are at the top of the table and maybe prove a few points as well for you to take into the summer as a group.

SPEAKER_02 5:36

Yeah, definitely. They're they're a really well-coached team, really well-drilled team. They're um they're definitely on their place at the top of the top of the prem this year. Um, but like you said, it's a really good opportunity to go against some real good opposition. Um, you know, they're they're not invincible at the end of the day. Um definitely we can definitely take it to them um if we're all on it, which given the the last block and this training week that we've had, I think we will be. Um like you said, and like I've mentioned before, the most important thing is a win. Uh doesn't matter how we get it, doesn't matter who they put in front of us. Uh, we're not too fussed about what team they put out. Like you said, uh they're a very strong team, they've got good depth, um, and like they're a great attacking team, but all we're looking to do is just put a win down and and end the season on a high for us individually and as a as a team.

SPEAKER_00 6:27

And just finally for me, um, you mentioned a bit of downtime. Um, everyone needs it after a tough year. Is there anything in particular that you do that's that's your thing that's uh that helps you just sort of switch off and get a bit of relaxation?

SPEAKER_02 6:42

Um, yeah, just to be honest, the main thing is is staying away from this building. Um, as much as I I love all the lads and I I love being around Harlequins, I love being a Harlequin. Uh the most important thing switching off is just getting away and not thinking about it for the first couple weeks at least. Um, you know, whether that's just uh chilling with some mates from from home and nothing to do with rugby at all, um, that will probably yeah, probably somewhere, somewhere nice with a beach and a hot country will be my uh me, my ideal setting, to be honest with you, just for a couple weeks at least.

SPEAKER_00 7:14

Sounds very good. Enjoy that uh and enjoy your RNA and uh I look forward to to seeing you refresh for next season.

SPEAKER_02 7:19

Thank you very much, appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00 7:21

Thanks for your time.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Hello, you're right. Yeah, good, thanks you. Yeah, not too bad, thank you. Um are you gonna set yourself any any goals for for next season? I mean, you've been a quince a few years now, so they're nailing down a a starting starting place.

SPEAKER_02 7:38

Yeah, that's been the goal for me for uh for the past couple years. Um, I think this year was was on track to uh quite promising to be honest. I was I was a bit in and out of the team with a bit of rotation, but you know, I'd got to a point where I'd managed to string a few games together, but unfortunately injuries happen, that's the the nature of the sport, you know. So um my main goal is honestly just to stay fit and available. Um the best ability is always availability. So, you know, just uh looking after myself on that front, making sure I come back into preseason with my body right and put myself in the best position to be available for every game.

SPEAKER_01 8:14

Yeah, yeah, because when you you know when you when you do play, you do seem to seem to make a bit of an impact, sort of fit in, fit very much into the into the Queen's way, able to finish off.

SPEAKER_02 8:25

Yeah, I mean I've I've been a long time, you know, so I feel like um part of the DNA is kind of within the way I like to play my rugby. Um, and yeah, like you said, all I want to do when I play is is try and make an impact, try to work hard for the for the boys inside and outside me. And um, yeah, honestly, just try try just score as many tries as I can as a winger to be honest with you. Um yeah, but yeah, no, definitely.

SPEAKER_01 8:49

I I mean I guess it's almost a story of the season for you, injuries, isn't it? Because when you when you when you look at Quinn the Quinn squad on paper, you know it's press it's pretty strong, and you know, at full strength, the back line you can you can you can put out matches most.

SPEAKER_02 9:04

Yeah, no, definitely. Um it's been it's been quite unlucky this year and very unfortunate with the injuries we've had. Um, but what I will touch on is the way the young boys have stepped up and the boys have had to fill in have been incredible, I think. Um it doesn't exactly reflect in results, but um being thrown in the deep end the way they have been and and just playing hard for the boys every week and really proving themselves to be uh the ability to play at this level has been real impressive and made me proud to watch as being a young player on the team myself, uh having been on the sideline for a few months. So um, yeah, you know, we've been plagued with a few injuries this year, but hopefully we can all get right for next year and uh have a good one.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

Yeah, because you sort of come come through the system and and and and Quinn seems seems to do a lot of that, don't they, Cassie? Players who who got deep, deep roots and attachment with the club.

SPEAKER_02 9:56

Yeah, definitely. I think uh a lot of the the boys in the academy have been here a long time. I've grown up with a load of the lads in the squad, uh people like Finn Baxter, Oscar Beard, Connor Slevin, Brim Bradley, you know, who are who are really kicking on, and obviously Finn Baxter being an international, you know, that that shows the the level of the pathway and and how good the Queens Academy setup is and how important it is to when the time is right to push those lads on at premiership level because I think we're all we're all good enough to be to be playing at that level, but you just need an opportunity and a chance to prove it. And even though injuries have been unfortunate, it's been it's been good to see those boys like Lucas Friday and Zach Carr, Johnny Green, yeah prove themselves at the top flight of English rugby this year.

SPEAKER_01 10:40

Yeah, because as saying to Jason, you you know the way the way you guys have finished this season. I mean, you lost at Saracens, but they're they're they're chasing top four in the and the title, and you know, you push them all away. Very, very, very little, I thought, but but but between the teams. It could be really fiercely competitive Prem next season.

SPEAKER_02 10:59

Yeah, 100%. I mean, you look at that game alone. I think if we converted a few more times in the first half, looked over after the ball a bit more in the second half, that that result goes another way, you know. Like in the dying moments of the game where we're still putting up a fight and and bringing it within a one-score game, just unfortunately, uh a few miscommunications at the back end of the game, and it led to them scoring. But you know, like you said, we were toe-to-toe with them that whole game, and yeah, they've got everything to play for them. And we had uh for what a lot of people think nothing, but for us, obviously, it's a lot of pride in the jersey, and we want to show that that next year we're we're looking to compete, we're not just looking to take part.

SPEAKER_01 11:36

So yeah, exactly. And you know, fingers crossed, bit better luck with with injuries and you know bounce with the ball, and as you say, top top four. It's not that shouldn't be out of the question.

SPEAKER_02 11:48

No, 100%, definitely never out of the question. It's always always the goal at the start of the year, and I think something next year that with the exposure some of the younger lads have had and and the injuries they've had to they've had to go through, I think it'll make them more resilient. And uh, I think next year can be a really promising year for for Harley Cons.

SPEAKER_01 12:05

Yeah, because you know you've you you beat Nexeter, who were chasing top four, you've beaten Saracens, who were chasing top four. You know, as you say, you won in one in La Rochelle, gave the Stormers a spanking, so you know that when you when you get it together, you're a match for for anyone.

SPEAKER_02 12:20

Yeah, of course, and and that's what we believe as a team as well, um, which is the important thing. There's there's always been that belief the entire season. We've stuck together with the coaches and as a group, and we've all been aligned and on the same page, and unfortunately, it's just been a few bad results, you know, that that haven't gone our way. And there's definitely times where as players we haven't fronted up our ourselves, and we've had a long hard look at ourselves for that. And yeah, we're just ready to to kick onto this game at the weekend, and then next year looking forward to next season to to try and push for that top four, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:53

And lastly, um Cassie, is there you know, sort of changes in the in in the coaching shake-up as far as players are concerned, all all for the all for the good?

SPEAKER_02 13:03

Um you know, I think the it depend it depends how you look at it, honestly. I think uh the the coaches that have been here and the ones that are leaving, they've done an incredible job and they've really played a big part in my rugby journey. Um, and I'm very grateful for everything they've done. Um I'm looking forward to seeing new faces um in the building and looking to learn off new people, um, which I think is really important. Uh just nice to get a different perspective and a different voice and see how they see the game differently. Um, so I'm I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also really grateful for for the coaches that that have that have been and gone and the ones that are leaving this year. They've played a massive part in my rugby journey, and I can comfortably say I wouldn't be out here today without a lot of them. So extremely grateful.

SPEAKER_01 13:51

Yeah, something like Rob Robbie Dean's experience with, especially with the Crusaders sort of rugby and the and the type of game they played very much you know, as Quinn's see rugby.

SPEAKER_02 14:01

Yeah, no, definitely. I think it'll be it'll be really good for the team. I think, like I said, just a new set of eyes, a different perspective, um, and also it could breed a different culture, you know. Like we don't know um what they're like over there, and it'll be interesting to see what they bring in. And um, I'm really looking forward to it.