Harlequins head of rugby Paul Gustard believes his players have what it takes to bounce back from last weekend’s Premiership Rugby defeat against Northampton Saints when they welcome Worcester Warriors tomorrow.

Quins succumbed to a 40-22 defeat at Franklin’s Gardens last time out, but will enter this Round Four contest buoyed by the fact they have won their last four games at Twickenham Stoop. 

Warriors, meanwhile, have only won once away from home in the Premiership since September 2018. 

And, in a game he says represents an opportunity for certain players, Gustard believes his side are more than capable of extending that record.

“We were disappointed with our performance against the Saints last week, but we have had a good week preparing for the strong challenge that Worcester will bring and we look forward to embracing that challenge on Saturday,” he said.

“We are also pleased to see Campo (Michele Campagnaro) recover from his small knock last week to take his place in the 23 alongside Niki, which gives us real firepower in the squad.

“We picked up a few injuries last weekend which, although is frustrating and disappointing, also presents a tremendous opportunity for other players to put their best foot forward and seize the opportunity. 

“We have faith in our players and I believe in them.”

The build-up to this round of Premiership games has been marred by the points deduction of reigning champions, Saracens, who were handed a 35-point penalty and a £5.3 million fine for breaching salary cap regulations. 

And Harlequins captain, Chris Robshaw, did not pull his punches in claiming the incident has tainted the integrity of rugby and was an obvious factor in leading to their recent Premiership success.

“As a sport we often look down our noses at other sports and say our grass is greener,” he said.

“We’re often easy to criticise football and athletics about cheating, now we’re exactly the same – the sport’s in a dark place, this sport’s going to be in a tough place now.

“As you see our most successful team in the last three years or longer has been known to be cheating when we’re trying to compete on a level playing field – our grass is no longer greener.”

“It is tough to take – they’ve won three Premierships and two European cups in that time, and now know why. Call it what you want. It is cheating.”

Meanwhile, Quins announced yesterday that the club will host a first ever 'Big Game' double-header at Twickenham on December 28.

The event will see Harlequins Women take on Leinster in a friendly after Quins' Premiership game against fierce rivals Leicester Tigers.

And winger Gabriel Ibitoye, who scored two tries in his side's opening day Premiership defeat against Exeter Chiefs, said he was thrilled at the prospect of being part of the occasion.

“Playing at Twickenham is one of the greatest feelings any player can have, so it’s only right that the whole of the club gets to share in this moment,” he said.

“I can’t wait to share the pitch with Harlequin’s Women who are delivering great results not only on the pitch but are a key component to growing the women’s game.”