Tigers win will give Quins semi lift, says Easter
HARLEQUINS No8 Nick Easter has urged the Aviva Premiership leaders to lay down a marker when in-form Leicester visit the Twickenham Stoop for tomorrow’s summit clash.
Leicester, aided by the resurgent Toby Flood, look a sure bet to join already-qualified Quins in the semi-finals, following last week’s 35-21 win at Northampton, in which the fly-half claimed 25 points.
But Quins beat the Tigers 27-18 in the reverse fixture and Easter is eager to prove their title-winning credentials with a victory that would guarantee them a home last-four date.
“We have worked hard to be in this position and there is no point now patting each other on the back and thinking the job is done because it is far from it,” said the former England star.
“It is good to play this standard of team ahead of the semis. They have tremendous pedigree and have won the title more than anyone else. When two sides are playing as good rugby as we are it is a really good test.
“We have been top since the third week so we have been there to be shot at but the guys have responded well and we have to continue in that vein.”
Easter believes home advantage in the last four could be the difference between glory and heartache, saying: “There haven’t been that many away wins in the semi-final games so it does become an advantage. But we still have to get that home tie and we haven’t got it yet.”
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