Zinzan parts company with Harlequins

Zinzan Brooke and Harlequins parted company last night - four days before the London club's biggest match of the season.

The 35-year-old New Zealander, considered by many to be the greatest All Black, left with six months of his contract still to run, and with the club floundering in the relegation zone after eight consecutive Premiership defeats. According to Quins, Brooke 'offered his resignation with immediate effect'.

But it is understood he was sacked and that last week's home beating by Saracens, their heaviest of the season at 30-14, proved to be the last straw.The decision was taken yesterday and the club's 32 professional players were informed during the day.

Despite the team's dismal run, Brooke's abrupt exit from The Stoop still came as a surprise. Only four days ago, Quins announced that he would name their team this morning for Saturday's home Tetley's Bitter Cup semi-final against Leicester.

Brooke said: 'Although the side has turned in a number of fine performances this season, the results in the Premiership have not been acceptable. As head coach, I have to take responsibility. 'I feel that the time has come for a new voice. A change is needed to break the team out of the pattern.'

Mark Evans, the club's chief executive, will assume immediate control of team affairs as caretaker manager, with former England scrum half Richard Hill continuing as assistant coach.