Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston says the team’s performances are helping pull the club together, despite the latest defeat to La Rochelle on Sunday.
Quins always faced a daunting task at the weekend, with a Champions Cup round six match-up at the home of the French flyers.
The London club’s hopes of progression in the tournament were extinguished a long time ago but Quins gave a good account of themselves in France, eventually succumbing 16-7.
Harlequins prepare for La Rochelle test
La Rochelle had the better of the first half and raced into a lead thanks to tries from Pierre Aguillon and Kini Murimurivalu, with Alexis Bales also kicking a penalty.
But Quins roared back in the second half with Danny Care’s sniped try, in a performance that pleased Kingston.
"We showed desire as a group and gave 100 per cent against a formidable side that has won nine straight at home and average 41 points,” said the director of rugby. “By the end, we had battered them into respecting us.
"If you have desire, passion and togetherness you can go a long, long way.
Quins defeat Wasps in Round Five
"Everyone out there gave everything they had to give and it is pulling them tighter, which is great to see."
The performance marks a good end to the competition for Quins, who beat Wasps in round five with a stirring comeback at Twickenham Stoop.
Next up for Kingston’s men is a home match against Scarlets in the Anglo-Welsh cup, scheduled for 3pm on Saturday.
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