Outgoing Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston has dismissed speculation of an acrimonious divorce from the club as he prepares to bow out against Exeter Chiefs.

He will end his 17-year association with the club against the reigning Premiership champions at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, following a disappointing 2017/18 campaign.

The hosts have lost their last four in the league and called time on Kingston’s two-year reign after a disastrous home defeat to bottom side London Irish in April.

Speaking ahead of his final game in charge against Chiefs, Kingston admitted he has been disappointed by some of the reports since his departure was confirmed.

“I can say to everybody that there has been no acrimony in terms of the decision, it was what it said on the tin – that there was agreement from both sides,” he said.

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“The fact that I’ve remained here for the rest of the year has surely shown that and I’ve been doing the best I can over the last few weeks.

“I appreciate the results have not reflected that but that has been very much the case and it’s important that the news came out once that decision was reached early.

“It was in the best interest of Harlequins because it gave the opportunity for people to start looking as to what the right way forward is. Once again for me, it’s about trying to make sure that it’s the right thing for Harlequins and this undoubtedly is.”

Harlequins have only won once at home in the Premiership in 2018 – against Bath in March – and have lost their last seven matches against Exeter in the league.

Kingston has made three changes from the side that lost to Worcester Warriors at Sixways Stadium last week, following injuries to Jamie Roberts and Joe Marchant.

Alofa Alofa shifts to outside centre as James Lang moves to 12, while Tim Visser starts on the left wing and Ross Chisholm and Henry Cheeseman come onto the bench.

“Our performances in the second half of this season have been frustrating and disappointing,” said Kingston, who replaced Conor O’Shea in April 2016.

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“Saturday offers us one last opportunity against the current best side in England at a sold-out Stoop. We will rightly be considered huge underdogs but are immensely looking forward to the challenge.”

And Kingston has urged Quins supporters to put aside their disappointment about how the season has gone and get behind the players for the visit of Chiefs to The Stoop.

“I can understand how upset, disappointed and frankly, at times, angry they would feel about the way the results have been over the last several weeks,” he added.

“I’d urge everybody who’s coming down there to be supportive and positive, notwithstanding how they currently feel at the moment, put it to one side.

“I can assure you with everything we’re doing our absolute best to try to make sure mentally the guys are going to give it one last huge effort on Saturday to showcase what the club’s about.”