Quins are in strong position, says Joe

HARLEQUINS Joe Launchbury feels it's crucial his team display strong form over the festive period as they strive to adapt their style to operate better in the cold, wet conditions.

- NICK POWELL

The 32-year-old joined Quins at the start of this season after a stint playing for Japanese side Toyota Verblitz which had come following his long-time club Wasps going into liquidation in October 2022.

He has added a level of ballast to the team up front that has been crucial in the general improvement of the club's work at the breakdown, their defence, the operation of their lineout and their ability to close out tight wins, with four of Harlequins' six wins so far this season coming by eight points or fewer.

But with Quins having lost four games in December and January of last season by those same tight margins, Launchbury is focused on helping right those wrongs to avoid the period having the same damaging effect.

"I feel we're in a really strong place," he said, speaking on The Rugby Paper Podcast. "We know how quickly these games come over Christmas. I wasn't here last year but the boys have talked about this being the period we got wrong last year.

"Quins lost a few games around this Christmas period and because they're so condensed, bouncing between Europe and the Premiership, if you don't get it right it can be very tough in such a short season.