The win over Leeds was a hard fought affair, with our defence and team spirit pulling us through some huge periods of pressure. Having fallen behind early in the second half to a well worked try by Phil Christophers we came back with three tries of our own.

The first came straight off the training ground in the morning, where head coach Mark Evans had spent ten minutes with the backs working on their running lines for that particular move, while the other tries were opportunist affairs with Chris Bell latching onto a hack through following a Leeds dropped pass, and Simon Keogh running in a 70 yard interception. But away from home any win is a good win, and it should be remembered that we have to go back to Leeds next weekend in the 6th Round of the Powergen Cup.

Following the return to full fitness last week of Chris Bell, Ugo Monye, Karl Rudzki and Josh Taumalolo, this Saturday should see the return to full fitness of both Tani Fuga and Paul Burke. The return of Tani (Fuga) is particularly important following the loss of Ace Tiatia for a further three weeks and in light of the injury that James Hayter has so bravely played through over the last two weeks. Ace has damaged the scar tissue from his original injury, but should be back in time for our first game in the European Challenge Cup in December.

Still in the Physio room George Harder continues to make good progress and is loudly telling anyone who cares to listen that he expects to be fit to face Bath on 22 November, if not earlier.

Next Tuesday sees our Second XV return to action when they take on Cambridge University at the Stoop, kick off 7.30pm. This will be an opportunity for a number of the first team squad such as Gavin Duffy, Rob Jewell, Roy Winters, Laurent Gomez and Ceri Jones to stake a claim in front of the coaching staff for a 1st team spot. At the same time academy players such as Cameron Dott, Tom Parker, Adrian Jarvis and Tom Allen will also have the opportunity to play along side regular 1st team players.

This weekend also sees the Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup with some tremendous games taking place on Saturday and Sunday morning. Of particular relevance to everyone at NEC Harlequins, Jason Leonard will win his 111th cap against Wales on Sunday and equal the great Philippe Sella all time record of international caps. This will be the 102nd time Jason has started an international for England, a phenomenal record for any player, let alone a front row forward.

And so to Saturday. Northampton, currently second in the Zurich Premiership, will offer us a fierce challenge. They are a fine team and are not second in the table by accident. We know that it will be a hugely physical challenge in the tackle area, and that as ever our line out, scrums, re-starts, ball retention and defence will be the keys to us coming away with the four points come 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

If you have not already got your ticket for this Zurich Premiership action, then contact our ticket office on 0871 8718877 and get yourself along to the Stoop this Saturday afternoon.

Come on you Quins!