Harlequins’ Chris Robshaw wants to give departing director John Kingston the send-off he deserves against Gloucester on Saturday.

Kingston’s departure by mutual consent was announced on Monday, two days after a dismal, error-strewn performance which saw London Irish thrash Quins 35-5.

Robshaw wants ninth-placed Quins to respond positively and bounce back at Kingsholm.

“It was tough to take,” admitted the 31-year-old flanker. “To perform as badly as we did and lose at home and whatever else went wrong – it was a very dark time for us as players.

“We said it was potentially one of the worst performances we’ve been involved with.

“When we came in on Monday we imparted some harsh words to each other and cleared the air. It’s tough, but it’s about how we respond now and how we move forward.

“Of course, it’s very sad especially for John who’s been here 17 years – my whole career.

“We’ve got to go out there and do our business for a man who loves the club and is so enthusiastic.

“Hopefully we’ll do well in these last two or three games and have a drink or two with him at the end of the season.”

Their opponents this weekend, Gloucester, saw their fine form disrupted by a 46-10 thumping from Aviva Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs last weekend, but Robshaw is taking nothing for granted.

“They’re playing some pretty good rugby at the moment,” he said. “They’re playing an expansive brand with some pretty big forwards as well.

“It’s going to be an exciting game and from my point of view, we know a lot of threats they can have.

“It’s about trying to get our game on the pitch, trying to get on the pitch what wasn’t there last week because we were extremely disappointed with that.

“Kingsholm’s a tough place, but it’s a great place to go and they’re the grounds you want to go and visit.”

The five changes made for Saturday’s starting line-up make Quins’ intentions clear.

Jamie Roberts will partner Joe Marchant in the backs while Alofa Alofa starts, forming the back three with Mike Brown and Charlie Walker.

Joe Gray will start as hooker while a brand new second row sees captain James Horwill pack down with George Merrick in the engine room, the latter returning from an injury sustained in January.