HARLEQUINS skipper Chris Robshaw is looking to tighten up his side’s defensive performance when they take on Bristol Bears on Saturday afternoon at Twickenham Stoop.

That may be a tricky challenge, with the weather this week making for dry conditions and an enterprising, in-form Quins side going up against the equally entertaining Bears.

Robshaw’s comments come after the high-scoring 47-33 victory over Worcester Warriors last week, in which the back rower continued to get up to full speed following time out with injury.

“I was pleased to get through the 80 minutes against Worcester Warriors,” commented Robshaw. “You could tell we were a little bit rusty in elements, in terms of the scoreline it was very much a first game of the season scoreline or a first game back one.

“That wasn’t just in our game, you could tell looking round the Premiership as well, a lot of the scorelines reflected that, but five points was our target and we got that.”

Robshaw, 32, was also pleased to start in the back row alongside the rapidly-improving Alex Dombrandt, who started at No.8, and Jack Clifford – with whom Robshaw hadn’t played with since last April.

“It makes you feel old!” He continued. “I didn’t realise that actually (playing alongside Clifford) and it was my first time playing with Dom (Dombrandt) too, I’ve played a lot with James Chisholm and Renaldo (Bothma) earlier in the season.

“At the moment we’re very fortunate with the combinations we can put out, whether that’s in training or in the game, the guys are pushing each other.

“In terms of a squad we’re in a pretty good position in terms of the amount of guys fit. I don’t know if we’re training differently or recovering better but it puts us in a brilliant position throughout the week and then even better at the weekend because we’ve worked hard against each other.”

Quins go into the match third in the Gallagher Premiership table on 38 points, 13 ahead of Bristol, who lie 10th.

The Bears are well-known for their attacking instincts though, having scored more points than both Sale and Bath above them.

Robshaw continued: “We’ve seen Bristol’s attacking stats and with the opportunities they create for themselves they are very dangerous.

“We were the wrong side of the result down there earlier in the season but with that there’s opportunities for us as well, and at the Stoop it’s always a brilliant place to play.

“As a team and individuals we love playing there so it’s all about starting well, and going from the off.”