Conor O'Shea stated his pride after Harlequins claimed a gutsy win over Leicester to maintain their unbeaten record.
Quins boss hails side for grinding out win against Leicester
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea stated his pride after his side claimed a gutsy win over Leicester to extend their unbeaten start to the season.
A 27-18 victory against the Tigers leaves Quins sitting pretty at the Aviva Premiership summit, but O'Shea was quick to guard against complacency.
With many of Leicester's stars away on international duty at the World Cup, O'Shea admitted that his side went into the match with a slight advantage.
"We won't get carried away but I'd rather be in our position than Leicester's. It was an incredible ask for them," he said.
"We were under the pump in the first half but we were very opportunistic and then in the second half we dug in and I am really proud of the guys.
"Last season we lost 10 league games by one score or less, this season we are playing with more composure and the confidence that comes from winning."
Two counter-attacking tries in as many minutes from wings Sam Smith and Seb Stegmann saw Quins overturn an early deficit, while Nick Evans booted 12 points and Joe Marler crossed the line late on.
Lapses
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill was left fuming at defensive lapses after his side managed to get the better of the battle between the forwards.
"We've got to defend better; it was those two phases that killed us. We thought we could win today but our ball-carrying and decision-making was poor and we lost lineouts at crucial times," he said.
The defeat was Leicester's third consecutive home defeat of the season and the club's worst start in Premiership history, but Cockerill thinks that does not tell the whole story.
He added: "It's been a farce with 20 guys missing (at the World Cup), it's been very hard but we will be stronger for it.
"Whilst I'm sorry England lost (to France in today's quarter-final), the result in New Zealand is a delight for the club. Europe is big for us and we need the players to be back and integrated by then."