Harlequins have headed off several of their Guinness Premiership rivals by securing the services for the next three years of Nick Evans, the New Zealand utility back. Evans becomes the eighth member of the All Blacks’ 2007 World Cup squad to move to Europe and Daniel Carter, the fly half, has still to decide whether to join the exodus.

Leicester and Northampton were understood to have been interested in Evans, 27 and capped 16 times, the last as a replacement for Carter in the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France last October. But Harlequins, who are losing Adrian Jarvis to Bristol, will play Evans at fly half rather than at full back, where he will partner the up-and-coming Danny Care.

“I would be a fool if I didn’t take this opportunity,” Evans, who is playing for the Blues in the Super 14, said yesterday, emphasising that the lure of the black jersey is no longer enough to prevent the cream of New Zealand players seeking fortunes abroad.

Saracens have confirmed that they will play their final Premiership match of the season, against Bristol on Saturday, at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes because Watford will be playing football at Vicarage Road on Sunday.