ALTHOUGH Harlequins have struggled so far this term in the Guinness Premiership, Worcester will no doubt face a stern examination of their defensive credentials when the men from The Stoop visit Sixways this afternoon (3pm).

Quins have won just once in five league outings and are 10th in the table, but turned on impressive Heineken Cup showings in recent weeks against Toulouse and Cardiff Blues and look to be running in to form.

Warriors have been a difficult team to beat on the road this season and have impressed in the league on home soil. One of the pillars supporting their solid start to the current campaign has been a new-found fortitude — as well as much-improved discipline.

Worcester’s defence coach, Billy McGinty, believes his side are now more resolute after adding an aggressive edge to their defensive performances.

He explained: “A huge amount of credit for our defensive patterns has to go to the players.

“Obviously, I have an input on how we should defend, we are more aggressive then we have been in the past and we need to push back the opposition.

“The players keep turning up and making tackles, getting to the ball and making tackles, so a huge amount of credit must go to them.

“We have a huge amount of morale here — the players don’t want to let each other down. That is the key thing. They go out onto the pitch and do the best they can. If we need to defend, we defend — simple as that.

“It’s about discipline and not giving the penalties away, about believing in the team system and those around you.

“You know that you’re covered on the inside and you know that you’re covered on the outside — it’s the belief in your system and that the guys will make those tackles.”