SKIPPER Rob Purdham has ordered his defence to plug the leaks to save Harlequins Rugby League's season.

A mean defence was the key as Quins started the like a house on fire, leading Super League early on and winning at places like Leeds and St Helens.

But their slide down the table, and four successive defeats, have coincided with their defence falling to pieces.

There is no problems with their attack, scoring six tries at Wakefield on Sunday through Luke Dorn, Chris Melling, Karl Pryce, Jamie O'Callaghan, Rob Purdham and Chris Bailey. However, Quins also conceded nine tries as they went down 52-32 to the Wildcats.

Purdham said: “We were going well this year, and the big task was keeping up what we had achieved after the first few rounds.

“The defence needs sorting out, but we've shown we can certainly score the points needed to win games.”

Quins will have a tough task to turn things round tonight, when they host Super League leaders Castleford Tigers.

Before the game, a special fixture will take place at The Stoop between the Royal Artillery Rugby League team and Castleford & District, at 5pm.

The game will be in memory of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan, bombardier Craig Hopson, from Castleford, who died in 2009 when aged just 24.

The match will raise funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Royal Artillery Charitable Fund. Tickets will be valid for both the memorial game and the main game, and include post-match hospitality.

To book, call the ticket hotline on 0871 527 1315, or book online by going to www.quins.co.uk, and clicking on ‘RL Matches’ using the promotional code Hopson2.

Quins have already named their squad for the Castleford clash. Alongside Purdham will be Luke Ambler, Chris Bailey, Ben Bolger, Lamont Bryan, Tony Clubb, Luke Dorn, Andy Ellis, Luke Gale, David Howell, Nick Kouparitsas, Chris Melling, Jamie O'Callaghan, Karl Pryce, Rob Purdham, Chad Randall, Karl Temata, Danny Ward, Oliver Wilkes and David Williams.

Meanwhile, Quins have drawn Gateshead Thunder away in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup, at 8pm on Friday, May 6.