WARRIORS flanker Jake Abbott admitted the power and intensity of Harlequins was a step above what you usually face in the Aviva Premiership.

The on-song Londoners, who boasted a side packed with international talent, were far too strong for Dean Ryan’s fledgling side, and cruised to a four-try bonus point in a one-sided contest at Sixways last Friday.

Academy product Abbott, who was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time this season, said: “It was a brutal match.

“I’ve not experienced many games like how that was in the first 30 minutes — it was ridiculously fast-paced.

“We couldn’t stop the off-loads, we couldn’t slow the ball down and it was just very difficult being out there.”

A memorable rearguard action from the hosts kept the silky-smooth Quins attack at bay for most of the first-half, but by the interval Warriors were all but dead on their feet.

Worcester refused to throw in the towel, but they were simply unable to live with their on-song visitors, for whom England quintet Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Nick Easter were in sparkling form.

Although Abbott was disappointed with the 37-13 defeat, he insisted Warriors could take a lot of heart from their first-half defensive effort.

He added: “We can take positives out of that first 30 minutes of defending against what were just unbelievable phases of play from Quins.

“It was positive that we held them so close to the line without them being able to score a try and it’s great that we defended our line like that and held them out.

“The fact they didn’t want to press it anymore and decided to take the kicks instead is a good sign.”

From a personal point of view, Abbott was delighted to have forced his way back into the first XV reckoning after Ryan had began the season with Sam Betty at openside.

Abbott said: “I’m chuffed to be back playing in the Friday night lights, but bitterly disappointed to be on the wrong end of the result.

“It’ll be a different kettle of fish this weekend when we go to Adams Park to play Wasps and hopefully we can learn from the harsh lessons we had against Quins and go and get ourselves a win.”