Dave Ward doesn't need telling how important it is for England's top clubs to be involved in European rugby next season – in whatever format.

The cream of the Premiership are currently trying to wrangle a deal with their European cousins to either reorganise the Heineken Cup or create a breakaway competition, but as it stands, English clubs could miss out entirely next season.

Meanwhile, Ward is hoping to keep his place in the Harlequins starting line-up for tomorrow's trip to Racing Metro, as it would be the hooker's first Heineken Cup start in seven years.

The former Cornish Pirates man has performed admirably in recent weeks while fellow hookers Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan have been sidelined, culminating in a man of the match display in Sunday's 35-9 win at Newcastle Falcons.

But although Buchanan is not expected to see any action again until the new year, Gray is fit again and could make his come tomorrow, pushing Ward back onto the bench.

Ward said: “I'd like to think I've given the gaffer a bit of a selection headache, you just do whatever you can when you're handed the opportunity. I just got myself on the end of as many offloads from Nick Evans and Nick Easter as I could.

“I thought I carried the ball quite a lot and popped up in the right areas at the right time, but when I looked at the statistics I saw my 10 carries paled in comparison to Schalk Brits' 17 for Saracens, so that is something to aspire to.

“Hopefully I will keep my place on Saturday, as it would mean my first Heineken Cup start since playing for Bath against Leinster in 2006, although I have come on as a replacement for Quins against Biarritz and Scarlets.

“I hope the situation gets sorted out as every player wants to test themselves as the highest level, and that is the Heineken Cup. It has the history too. But we just want to see a competition with the top teams in Europe playing on a fair level.”

Young winger Sam Smith bagged two tries at Newcastle while Sam Stuart and James Chisholm made their first team debuts – proof for Ward that the Quins conveyor belt is still churning out talent.

He added: “I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of these guys, and if they can keep up their progress there is no reason why they can't go as far as the likes of Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler.”