Inconsistency has plagued Harlequins all season but full-back Mike Brown insists there is still time to make amends in the Aviva Premiership run-in.
Currently lying in eighth place, Quins have a tough job on their hands to make up what at the moment is a nine-point gap to secure sixth place and the final European Champions Cup spot.
What works in their favour, however, is that they will be going up against teams in their final four fixtures that share that common goal – Sale Sharks and Gloucester Rugby the two in question.
Quins haven’t been able to string together more than two Aviva Premiership wins in a row all season but with Gloucester next up at the Twickenham Stoop, Brown insists his side must put a winning run together.
“It has been an up and down season for Harlequins, we’ve been inconsistent with our performances and we are not where we want to be in the league,” he said.
“But having said that we are still pushing for that last European place and we’ll keep doing that right to the end.
“Sixth is still a realistic target, we’ve got to play a couple of teams around us, which helps, and we’ve got to play a few teams pushing for that top four so it will be a tough run in but everyone is looking forward to it after a good few weeks training.
“Looking at our upcoming fixtures we’ve got Gloucester and Sale, who are close to us pushing for that European spot, and Bath will be pushing for the top four and we know it will be tough but it is still in our reach.”
Brown’s involvement throughout the rest of the campaign is still unknown as he continues to show ill-effects of the concussion he suffered while playing for England against Italy in the Six Nations.
But after reflecting on a largely positive set of performances for England, he insists his objective now is to contribute to a successful end to Quins’ season, however he can.
“I’ve been pleased with my form for England, obviously I missed the game with a head injury but you have to get on with it. I was lucky enough to play some part in the tournament,” he added.
“We obviously didn’t finish how we wanted to as a team, not coming away with the silverware we wanted but we put in some good performances.
“Now it’s about getting back to the club and making sure I carry that on and try and contribute to a winning cause.”
Mike Brown was speaking about his support of GB Wheelchair Rugby at the Aviva Community Fund launch, a nationwide initiative from Aviva, title sponsor of Aviva Premiership Rugby, which offers support and funding to causes close to your heart. Visit aviva.co.uk/community-fund
