John Kingston's future as coach of struggling Zurich Premiership side Harlequins is reportedly in doubt.

The club, who slumped to the bottom of the Premiership this weekend released a statment today declaring that, "Mark Evans, NEC Harlequins Chief Executive, is to take a leading role in the coaching of the team with immediate effect."

It goes on to say, "John Kingston, the current Head Coach, is taking a few days off to consider his future at the club."

Today's development comes as no surprise - given that Quins have plummeted to the Premiership basement following eight successive league defeats.

They have also played more games than all the teams immediately above them, including Leeds who moved off the bottom with a 37-15 victory at Saracens yesterday.

It is not the first time Evans has stepped into the breach at a time of crisis.

In January last year he took up the coaching reins when legendary New Zealander Zinzan Brooke quit following a run of poor results - and the turnaround in fortunes was startling.

Not only did Quins maintain their Premiership status but they also won the European Shield and were beaten in a classic Tetley's Bitter Cup final by Newcastle at Twickenham.

The job this time around, though, appears infinitely tougher, given that Quins are rapidly running out of matches.

Their cause has not been helped by injuries to key players - Ireland captain and Lions hooker Keith Wood has been sidelined for more than two months.

Despite their Premiership problems, Quins have reached the Powergen Cup semi-finals - they host London Irish on Saturday week - but everything points to a possible relegation showdown with Leeds at The Stoop on Friday, May 3.