Representing More Than the Harlequins

Since 1971, Dallas Harlequins players and coaches have proudly worn more than just the green and black.

Some arrived as established internationals. Others earned their first national team opportunities while wearing the green and black. Still others used their time with the Quins as a springboard to the highest levels of the game.

Throughout our history, the Harlequins have proudly welcomed Eagles, international representatives, and professional players from across the rugby world. Their presence has elevated the standard of our club while creating lasting connections that extend far beyond Dallas.

For example:

• Taylor Mokate, Justin Boyd, and Zac Mizell who developed with the Harlequins before earning selection to the USA Eagles.
• Or Benson Salem Adoyo, who joined the Quins shortly after arriving in the United States and soon earned selection for Kenya 7s, continuing that nation’s proud rugby tradition.
• Or more recently, Reese Francis and Abbas Bangash are active Quins who recently got their first international starts for their respective countries – Mexico and Pakistan.

These names represent only a small part of the club’s international story.

Reese Francis Playing for Serpientes XV

From regional select sides to national teams, Quins have consistently earned opportunities to represent their city, their region, and their country. These honors are more than individual achievements—they reflect the strength of the club and its long-standing commitment to developing players capable of competing at the highest levels of the game.

While our Player History page celebrates individual accomplishments, this page recognizes the programs and representative teams that have carried the Harlequins name onto bigger stages.

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The USA West Era

Before today’s regional representative pathways existed, the Dallas Harlequins were a proud member of the Western RFU, competing alongside clubs from across the western half of the United States.

Quins in Vail Before facing France with the USA Mustangs

The club played a major role in the Union for many years, regularly hosting Western Union tournaments and consistently supplying players to the USA West Mustangs, one of the country’s premier representative sides.

For many Quins, earning selection to the Mustangs was the final step before USA Eagles consideration.

One of the defining moments in that history came in 1991, when the USA West Mustangs faced the touring French National Team. The squad featured several Dallas Harlequins players, highlighting the respect our club had earned across American rugby.

That France team came over as a tune-up for the 1991 World Cup. We had them tied 9-9 at half, lost by 19. They took 3rd that year and should have been in the finals. That pack was feared. – Duane ‘Tiny’ Watts

The Western Union era helped establish the Harlequins as one of the country’s premier rugby clubs and laid the foundation for generations of representative success that followed.

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Building Texas Rugby

As rugby continued to grow throughout Texas, representative competition evolved with it.

The Dallas Harlequins have been deeply involved in the Texas Rugby Union (TRU) since its earliest days, providing players, coaches, administrators, and leaders who helped build representative rugby across the state.

Beyond players, Mary Waller and Miles Herring recently helped coach the Texas Toast (Women’s TRU Select Side).

TRU UK Tour 1995

Generation after generation, Quins have earned selection to Texas representative teams, proudly wearing the TRU colors while continuing the club’s tradition of excellence.

That involvement continues today.

The success of Texas rugby has never belonged to a single club—but the Dallas Harlequins have proudly been part of that story from the very beginning.

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Beyond Club Rugby

Representative rugby doesn’t end with state selection.

Many Harlequins have continued their rugby journeys through additional representative pathways that bridge the gap between club competition and international rugby.

Zach Getson with Maccabi USA in 2022, joining Lee Goodman and Kurt Kirsch as Maccabi Quins

These opportunities have included organizations such as:

• Maccabi USA Rugby, representing the United States in international Jewish sporting competitions.
• USA Rugby South, showcasing top players from across the southern United States.
• USA Falcons, a national development side providing players with exposure to higher levels of competition.

These programs give athletes opportunities to test themselves against stronger opposition, gain valuable experience, and continue progressing toward the highest levels of the sport.

For the Harlequins, they also reinforce a long-standing tradition: when representative teams are assembled, Quins are consistently part of the conversation.

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A Tradition That Continues

Representative honors are never guaranteed.

They are earned through years of hard work, dedication, and excellence on and off the field.

For generations, Dallas Harlequins have answered that call—whether representing the Western Union, Texas Rugby Union, regional development programs, national select sides, or the United States itself.

Two recent examples of Quins playing for the TRU (of many we could have picked)

Every player selected, every coach appointed, and every administrator trusted to lead at the next level reflects the culture of excellence that has defined the Harlequins since 1971.

We’re proud to be developing rugby in America, in all the ways we can.

Come On You Quins!