Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards tipped scrum-half Danny Care for a place on England's summer tour of New Zealand.
Quins boss tips scrum-half for tour honours
Harlequins director of rugby Dean Richards tipped scrum-half Danny Care for a place on England's summer tour of New Zealand after watching his side beat Newcastle 15-9 at The Stoop.
Care dropped a first-half goal as Quins controlled the game with Adrian Jarvis out-kicking Jonny Wilkinson by four penalty goals to three.
"One of the concerns we've had over the last three years has been the inexperience of our side, but we're starting to control games now and that's a real help," Richards said.
"If three scrum-halves go on tour to New Zealand this summer than Danny Care should be one of them.
"What the management have to consider is when is the best time in a player's development to cap them in New Zealand - it's a heck of a place to win your first cap."
The game was marred by an injury to Mathew Tait, who was pole-axed following a horror tackle by De Wet Barry that saw the South African sent off.
However, Richards backed his player, adding: "De Wet has apologised to Mathew and he has apologised to me. He has an unfair reputation as a dirty player and he doesn't deserve it."
Newcastle chief Steve Bates was unhappy with the performance of referee Martin Fox, ultimately blaming him for the defeat.
"The difference between winning and losing was the referee's decisions," he said. "I thought there were inconsistencies that didn't help us.
"We also ran into touch three times under no pressure and didn't take advantage of them going down to 14 men.
"As for the Tait incident, I didn't see the tackle as it was that late but we've managed to have a look at him and Mathew is fine."