Sunday 26 October 2014 21:42, UK
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea was in buoyant mood after his side secured a deserved 23-16 win over Wasps in the Champions Cup.
Quins moved ahead of Leinster to top the Pool Two standings with victory at Adams Park and their fate is likely to be sealed when they face the Irish province twice in December.
O'Shea said: "It's fantastic and they will be really tough games but it's a long way off. Our leading players face a huge four weeks with England and with the LV=Cup coming up it's a chance to give the legs of Nick Easter and Nick Evans a rest.
"We want to keep the feel good factor though and I love watching us play especially when we perform with such intensity."
It was a dominant showing by the visitors, but Wasps made the initial breakthrough though, with Joe Simpson scoring just after the half-hour mark before Charlie Matthews hit back two minutes before the interval.
Quins were also awarded a penalty try midway through the second half to move clear, with Nick Evans kicking 13 points to Andy Goode's 11 for Wasps.
"We should have taken more chances than we did but I'm delighted as it takes a good side to do that to Wasps here at Adams Park," O'Shea added.
"It was a big step forward as it was a hugely physical performance from us as people say we can't win against sides that are physical against us."
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young conceded that his side were well beaten.
"We were never in control from the word go, Quins were by far the better team and the final score-line flattered us," he said.
"We lacked energy and it was a really flat performance from a very tired team. We've had some big performances this season but that caught up with us and it was a reality check."
With Nick Evans missing two penalties late on, Wasps were able to collect a bonus point to compound the misery for Young.
He added: "History will tell you if you lose your first two games then you are facing a huge uphill task. It's not totally beyond us as we can go to Quins and win as it's just up the road. We will keep fighting and are not giving up just yet."
