Big Game is next in line for upbeat Dombrandt

ALEX Dombrandt will enjoy a rare break over Christmas before returning to drive Harlequins' twin assaults on the Premiership and the Champions Cup, starting with Saturday's Big Game against Gloucester at an expected sell-out Twickenham.

- PAUL REES

Quins suffered a jolt after their victory over Racing 92 in Paris when they were heavily beaten by Toulouse at The Stoop, but they remain on course in the Champions Cup with a trip to Cardiff and the visit of Ulster next month.

"It has been a relentless run since the start of the season," said Dombrandt, the England No.8 and Quins captain. "I feel we are in a really good position despite the defeat to Toulouse.

"The victory at Racing was one of the best results I have had in my time with the club, but Toulouse were clinical against us. We stayed in the fight for large periods, but if you make mistakes against a team of that quality you will be punished.

"We have a few days off over Christmas, the best break I will have had since I started playing, and then we will be back on it to set ourselves up going into the new year.

"Everyone forward to being looks involved in the Big Game which is on course to be a sell-out. It is a special day and it is a day you look out for when fixtures the anare nounced.

“We want to produce performances consistently and the victories over Sale and Racing showed the improvements we have made. It is a whole squad effort and we know that everyone is ready if and when they are called on.”