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Aviva Premiership: Director of rugby Conor O'Shea hits out at recent criticism of Harlequins

Conor O'Shea, Harlequins Director of Rugby
Image: Conor O'Shea: Was unhappy with criticism of his side after two straight losses

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea hit back at the “insulting” criticism of his side after they thrashed London Welsh 52-0 at The Stoop.

Quins came into the match having lost two of their previous three Aviva Premiership matches, going down 39-0 at home to Saracens and then slumping to a 36-13 loss at Exeter last time out.

But they brushed aside Welsh in convincing fashion on Saturday and after the match O'Shea hit out at those who felt Quins might struggle to match last season's semi-final playoff showing.

"If people thought we were going to go away they will have to think again. To write us off only four games was insulting," he said.

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Marland Yarde ran in two of Quins' seven tries with Mike Brown, Danny Care, Matt Hopper and Karl Dickson also going over. There was also a penalty try for the hosts.

O’Shea added: "We are very happy to score seven tries to nil and pick up 50 points. We can improve but this is a brutal league; we started last season with only two wins from five matches but this season we have three from five."

Next up for Quins is Friday's visit to Leicester, which O'Shea accepts will be a difficult task.

Hard

"We haven't started the season as well as we would have liked but Welford Road is an unbelievable place to go,” he said.

“You have to work incredibly hard for the result and I have to ensure we get our game together, which is my main concern."

Welsh boss Justin Burnell had few complaints with the outcome, admitting his side had no answer to Quins' power.

He said: "We struggled today, across the board and in most parts of the game. We were well beaten as we were up against a very good Quins side who placed us consistently under the cosh."

Welsh finished scoreless but would not have done so if they had chosen not to take a number of kickable penalties during the game. However, Burnell was adamant that made little difference in the end.

"We were never going to lose by just three points and we were hoping for seven points from one of those attacking line-outs," added Burnell.

Welsh have now lost all five of their matches since winning promotion to the top flight and next weekend they face a potentially crucial match against fellow strugglers Newcastle at the Kassam Stadium.

"I am still confident we can survive but we will have to learn quickly as this league is the best club league in the world and is going up in levels each year," Burnell said.

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