HARLEQUINS captain Nick Easter has no intention of handing his No.8 shirt over to the new guard just yet, insisting his competitive nature drives him on.

At 35, Easter is one of the elder statesmen in a Quins team bringing through a host of young players from its famous Stoop academy.

He has certainly showed no signs of slowing down this season, helping an injury-ravaged Quins side edge into the Aviva Premiership play-offs.

Such performances did not go unnoticed, with two trophies at last week’s annual Aviva Premiership awards in London.

He won the Gatorade Game Changer of the Season, for his display in Harlequins’ victory at Leicester Tigers in November, as well as the Green Flag Forward of the Season.

Against Saracens at the weekend, he made his 233rd appearance to pass Ceri Jones and become the most professionally capped player.

Easter admits it is about managing his body in the best way.

“I’m just enjoying it, I understand my body and know what it takes to be able to peak, know when to go hard and when not to go hard,” he said.

“I suppose the competitive animal just comes out in me when these youngsters come along and they are earmarking your position. You think ‘actually no they’re not going to have it just yet’.”

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