ROB Buchanan hopes Harlequins' reserves finally landing the A League title again will inspire the first team to retain the Premiership silverware.

Buchanan was part of the Harlequins second string side who beat Saracens Storm 37-12 on Monday night to win the A League final after losing two of the the last three.

Having won the first ever A League title in 2004, Quins went on to lose the finals in 2006, 2010 and 2012, but came up trumps this week thanks to two tries apiece from Olly Lindsay-Hague and Darryl Marfo, and one from Charlie Matthews.

Coming off the back of a successful first round of Heineken Cup group matches, culminating in Saturday's 53-5 thrashing of Zebre, Buchanan believes Quins return to Premiership action at Northampton this weekend with a spring in their step.

He said: “It was good to finally win the final after so many near misses in recent years. Whatever the competition, it's a piece of silverware, and hopefully it will be the first part of a Premiership double. It would be great if it helps inspire the first team lads the same way they inspired us all last season.”

Buchanan could be forgiven for seeing himself as more a first teamer these days. Having only made his full debut nine months ago, the young hooker has gone on to make around 20 appearances, including two in the Heineken Cup.

He has also been picked for England U20s, but with Saxons hooker Joe Gray ahead of his in the Quins first team, he knows he has his work cut out to become a regular.

He said: “I'm pleased with the progress I'm making, especially playing those Heineken Cup games and getting my first try against Biarritz, I'm getting more and more experience.

“Joe Gray is a great player who will be tough to dislodge, but we also have Dave Ward and Harry Allen putting pressure on us both. Joe has the best throwing stats in the Premiership, which is a massive part of any hooker's game as you cannot win the rugby if you cannot win the line out.”

With an average age of 22-23 in Quins' A League final squad, Buchanan also believe those watching on Monday night will have seen some of the next crop of young talent to emerge at The Stoop.

He added: “There were some great youngsters on show, like Harry Sloan and Olly Lindsay-Hague.

“Olly was brilliant and it was a pleasure to watch him, his feet are sensational. It's just a shame for him he has people like Mike Brown, Ross Chisholm and Ugo Monye ahead of him.

“It would be a shame if we lose him to Sevens rugby as he could become an integral member of our squad, but if I got the chance to play in the Rio Olympics I would take it!”