Ollie Kohn says Harlequins are striving for continuous improvement in the defence of their Aviva Premiership crown.
Talent
No-one at Quins can afford to take their place in the side for granted, with the champions working with a squad brimming with international talent.
Kohn said: "There is competition right across the board, in every position. It might sound like a cliché, but there is a wealth of talent coming through from the Quins Academy, and that's putting pressure on everyone, 1-15.
"We have had that the last few years and to go out and win things and compete in all competitions, you have to have a good squad, a big squad that can be called upon at any stage and do a job. There is competition everywhere and there are some great second rows coming through."
Quins sit second in the Aviva Premiership six games in, with only two points separating them from table-topping Northampton.
"We are happy to a certain extent," said Kohn on the club's opening to the season.
"We sit down all the time and say where we can improve things, but we are happy. We did the first block of our Premiership games, then had a two-week block of Heineken Cup and are now back into the tough competition of the Premiership. We have got two big games against London Irish and Gloucester and then we are into the LV, so there's no letting up. We are happy but we know we have things to work on."
Buzz
Having conquered the domestic scene for the first time, the next logical step for Quins would be to challenge for European honours - with the Heineken Cup pitching them into direct competition with the best in the business.
Kohn said: "We would love to compete hard in the Heineken Cup, it's a special competition that we want to do well in. But we want to compete on all fronts, in all of the competitions. It is a special competition, though, that has got a different sort of buzz about it. But we are back into our meat and drink this weekend against London Irish away."
While a long, hard slog on the rugby field dominates Kohn's thoughts, a family-run sausage-making firm offers a welcome distraction away from scrum life.
He said: "It might sound odd but it's been my life for the last five years. I have built it up over the last four or five years with my two brothers. We make our own sausages and sell them at venues. We are at Sarys, their new home ground, we are at Harlequins and we are at Bath and Bristol. We also do loads of other private events. It's been great.
"It's been a great thing for me to have that outside of rugby and to have that balance and perspective. At times when you have got a long-term injury or something like that, it helps to have a different focus. It makes you a better player because it gives you perspective on things. It's been great.
"I have always wanted my own business. My dad had his own business and it's something I've always wanted. It's something I've always wanted for after rugby, so I thought I might as well start it up now while I have got the opportunity and see where it takes me. It's something I've always wanted and I'm a greedy boy so it was always going to be food."
Aviva is the proud sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby. For more information, visit www.avivapremiershiprugby.com
