Harlequins were founded in 1866, but they led a nomadic existence until they found a home in Twickenham at the start of the 20th century.

In 1963 Harlequins relocated to an athletics ground across the road from the Rugby Football Union's headquarters, which became known as the Stoop Memorial Ground, before it was renamed as the Twickenham Stoop in 2005.

The stadium has witnessed a fruitful period since then. Although Quins were relegated in 2005 after nearly two decades in the English top flight, they bounced back immediately by dominating National League One with 25 victories in 26 games.

Under head coach Dean Richards, Quins finished sixth in the League, narrowly missing out on the play-offs, with 12 victories in 22 Premiership games.

Harlequins signed outside-half Nick Evans for the start of the 2008-09 season and, along with young England internationals Danny Care, Nick Easter and David Strettle, the New Zealander has helped the Quins develop into one of the finest sides in Europe.

Indeed, the All Black has been a revelation and had it not been for his injury during the Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Irish region Leinster, Quins may have progressed further in Europe's premier competition.

Harlequins have won the RFU's knock-out competition twice as the John Player Cup in 1988 and the Pilkington Cup in 1991.

In 2001 Harlequins became the first British team to win the European Shield and went on to become the first club to win the tournament twice, defeating Montferrand in the final of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup in 2004.