EVERYONE knew Harlequins were well connected, but yesterday's announcement that one of Britain's biggest leisure groups were to put up £3 million to buy a 40 per cent stake in the patrician London club was a breathtaking financial stroke.

Already Harlequins have a £1.5 million sponsorship from an electronics company and, with Riverside Sports' investment being intended primarily for the redevelopment of the Stoop Memorial Ground, it would be no surprise if further backing were forthcoming to add to the Harlequins squad and make them the best paid in the rugby business.

Gareth Llewellyn, one of those already committed to joining Quins, should prepare himself for a culture shock. The down to earth Wales second row forward, who gave a performance of supreme calibre in leading Neath to their Welsh League triumph against Pontypridd on Tuesday, is about to rub shoulders with two Old Harrovians who are among the wealthiest men in Britain.

Riverside's Peter and John Beckwith, 51 and 49, are reckoned to be worth around £82 million, placing them 180th in the Sunday Times list of Britain's richest 500 for 1996. Among their interests is a 50 per cent stake in the Chelsea Harbour Club, a gymnasium frequented by Will Carling, a distinguished Harlequin, and others.

John Beckwith is to join the new Harlequin board as one of two Riverside representatives. Roger Looker, the club chairman, will also be the company's chairman with Colin Herridge, most recently the England team's media liaison officer, and Donald Kerr, who has headed the club's delegation in its fraught discussions with the Rugby Football Union, as directors.

Riverside's involvement is dependent on Harlequin FC's becoming a limited company, a proposal already approved by members.