Director of rugby John Kingston urged his Harlequins side to be wary of a highly-motivated Worcester Warriors side as the Londoners go in search of a festive three from three.

Quins moved up to sixth place in Aviva Premiership Rugby with a 28-24 win against Gloucester Rugby in Big Game 9 at Twickenham on Tuesday that got their festive schedule off to the perfect start.

Joe Marchant crossed twice, while England back-row Jack Clifford also powered over and Ruaridh Jackson kicked ten points as Kingston’s men resisted a stirring late comeback from the Cherry & Whites.

Motu Matu’u’s 72nd-minute try meant for a tense finish, but Harlequins held out and with a trip to Sixways to face Worcester on Sunday followed up by Sale Sharks next week, Kingston is revelling in the challenge of three quick-fire games that could reinvigorate  a so far inconsistent season.

“We are mindful of what a massive opportunity this period gives us to kick on,” Kingston said.

“It is important to keep looking up and I saw these three Aviva Premiership games as an opportunity, not just for Harlequins, for everybody, but with three in two weeks, anybody that can notch three successive wins is going to do themselves a power of good in the league given how tight it is.

“Whether anyone will win three out of three is another matter – if anybody is, then they will make a material stride in the right direction.

“Defensively, we have to be spot on against Worcester. The root of all victories comes from defending well, if we can defend well then we have a team that is capable of scoring points in attack against anybody.

“The artificial surface means the game is played a little bit quicker and that tends to put defences under a bit more pressure, but if we get ours right at the weekend, then we will go pretty close.”

Carl Hogg’s side lost to Bristol Rugby at Ashton Gate in a crucial tie on Boxing Day, which saw the West Country side close the gap between the sides to two points.

And Kingston is aware that defeat will provide a huge incentive to right the ship against his side – especially given that Harlequins, unbeaten at The Stoop this season, are without a win on the road in Aviva Premiership Rugby.

“That loss brings with it a sense of motivation and focus that they try to nail their home games, we are very conscious of the threat that Worcester will pose,” he explained.

“We know that they will have a big crowd supporting them on New Year’s Day, but it is our job to make sure we are prepared fully. We have a short turnaround, but I am confident that the guys will be ready by the time we kick off at 3pm on Sunday.

“We are focussing on the need to back up the result against Gloucester and we appreciate that they lost earlier in the week against Bristol – that with it brings pressure to them as Bristol move closer to them.”