Quins chief Conor O'Shea remained philosophical after Friday's Amlin Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints left his side with only a Premiership top four berth to play for this season.

 

A below par first half performance cost Harlequins as they crashed 18-11 at Franklin's Gardens, with Nick Easter's second half try the only real highlight for the visitors.

Quins travel to Exeter chiefs on Sunday before hosting Bath on the domestic campaign's final day the following Saturday, knowing they must win both matches and hope one or two results go their way elsewhere to secure a Premiership semi-final place.

 

And director of rugby O'Shea knows his men must recover from defeat quickly to keep their season alive.

"We keep putting ourselves in these positions. Sometimes you have disappointment, sometimes you have success," he said.

 

"We know exactly what we need to do and what we need to do to get in to the top four and you never know you might get in a play-off.

"You just have to keep playing these big games and you win - like we have over the last few seasons - or sometimes you just have to cop it and move on.

 

"This defeat will be damaging if you let it be damaging.

"People think sport is always an upward curve and you never get blips, well, the emotions of the wins would not be nearly as high without those losses.

 

"It is actually how you react to adversity that is more important."

George Robson and Mike Brown are expected to be fit to face Exeter next weekend after hobbling off during the defeat to Northampton.