DICK BEST is the latest Casualty of the professional age after being axed from his job as Harlequins rugby director in a player-coach dispute.

Best, former England and Lions coach, will stay on in the nominal role as "consultant to the club on playing matters".

Harlequins finished third in the Courage League and were Pilkington Cup semi-finalists. But Best departs over the issue of attitudes towards professionalism.

He wanted the players to act like soccer professionals and turn up for training when required. Some of the players, including former England captain Will Carling, wanted a more flexible approach.

Best's pay-off on his rolling, 10-year contract could bring him a small fortune, but he said: "The terms of my stepping aside involve me not commenting on Harlequins' decision."

Best has been abrasive in his conduct with players, but Harlequins knew what they were getting when they re-employed him three seasons ago. He has been with the club for 27 years and added: "I have been told not to be too harsh - which is fair enough.

"But I don't think I have been hard enough.

Some players still do not realise what professionalism is all about.