HARLEQUINS head coach John Kingston has told his side to beat Northampton Saints tomorrow so they go into the Premiership play-offs in full swing.
Following an uncharacteristic run of three straight league defeats, plus a Heineken Cup exit to Munster, Quins have bounced back with back-to-back wins over Bath and Worcester.
But that would count for nothing if they lose their momentum by losing at home to play-off rivals Northampton at The Stoop before heading into the end-of-season lottery.
Kingston said: “The key thing is it's important to keep the momentum going. We have seen our form return in our last two games, but Northampton have been on a good run too, and both teams will want to have momentum going into the play-offs.”
If Quins win or draw tomorrow, they will travel to Leicester in the semi-finals, but if they slip up against Northampton, they will face a trip to Saracens instead.
But Kingston insists his side fear nobody in the top four, and they are not bothered about having an away semi-final after throwing a top two place either.
He said: “This decides whether we finish third or fourth, and while it makes no difference who we play as we have got results against them all in the last 18 months, third is better reflection of our season. Our record at home has been the same as away, so we don't get fazed by playing on the road either, and whoever we play won't batter us.”
Ironically, the one side in the top four Quins won't play in the semis is Northampton, who they beat at home in last year's semi before going on to win the final, although they left it late to knock the Saints out. Kingston admitted: “We dodged a bullet last year and it took a huge effort to get through.”
Although skipper Chris Robshaw will miss out tomorrow, Quins have pretty much otherwise a full bill of health following a two-week break. Kingston added: “ While it's lovely to be involved in cup competitions, last weekend was the first we've had off since the middle of August.”
