Danny Care insists Harlequins can challenge for titles

A tough season at the Stoop has already seen director of rugby John Kingston removed from his position before the season end, with Exeter piling on more misery in Quins’ final fixture.

The London outfit scored first-half tries through Marcus Smith and Mike Brown but the defending Premiership champions were too strong and registered the bonus point with tries for Dave Ewers, Joe Simmonds and a double for Dave Dennis.

Kingston dismisses talk of acrimonius exit

Exeter led 24-17 going into the final quarter but then finished with a flourish, Tom Hendrickson and Alec Hepburn putting the gloss on a big win as the Chiefs prepare for the Premiership semi-finals.

“It seems to have been the story of the season: for 60 minutes you are thinking you are in the game and with the scores at 24-17 with 20 mins to go and we have a couple of line outs in their 22,” commented Quins scrum-half Danny Care.

“So you are thinking if we can get it to 24-24 we have got a chance of winning a game against what is the form team in the league this year.

“But that is the disappointing thing for us this season – we have been in games like these for 50 to 60 minutes and then you just get blown away at the end.

“Admittedly by a very good team, a very well-drilled team who know exactly what they are doing.”

Brown excited by Vunipola return

The defeat to Exeter means Harlequins have now suffered three losses since news of Kingston’s departure emerged last month, but Care is still positive on the future.

“We will have a new guy coming in next season,” he added. “Taking us in a new direction and it is about everyone buying into that.

"We have the squad and we have the supporters and hopefully we can get this club back to where it should be.

“We have to be more consistent throughout the season but I honestly do believe this is a squad full of potential that could challenge for titles.”