We're expecting a brutal clash, admits Chisholm

JAMES Chisholm adImits he is not one of the flashier players who wear the Harlequins' multi-coloured jersey, but the back rower proved his worth at a bitterly cold Newcastle in the last round of the Premiership.

- PAUL RFFS

It was a match targeted by the Falcons, who had beaten Exeter and Saracens at Kingston Park, but after keeping their opponents at arms length for 70 minutes, Quins pulled with Chisholm away named man of the match.

"Newcastle are a different beast at home and we knew their strategy is picking up wins at home," said Chisholm, who has spent 11 years with Quins, the club his brother Ross played for, and in 2015 was named World Rugby's junior player of the year.

"It is a long way to travel and the cold can give you another excuse, but we are gritty when we need to be and provided some ugly moments with the way we mauled. We know we can turn it on, but to do well-over the course of the season there are times when you have to be pragmatic. It is about getting the balance right and giving yourselves the best chance to win.