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Into the cauldron
Harlequins must win at the country's toughest rugby cauldrons if they are to regularly challenge at the top of the Guinness Premiership, according to prop Mike Ross.
Quins head to boss Dean Richards' old stomping ground Welford Road to take on Leicester Tigers on Saturday, knowing only a win would see them reach the play-offs.
Ross has been in fine form this season - alongside Ceri Jones and Tani Fuga - as the front-row trinity have defied the critics to be among the Premiership's most consistent performers.
And the 28-year-old Irishman insists the side must start picking up points at the biggest venues after winning eight of their 11 home clashes this season, including a 30-25 triumph over league leaders Gloucester.
"If we want to be challenging for the top four every season, we have to be able to go to teams at the top of the table and win," Ross said.
"There is no point relying on them having an off day or one or two injuries.
"We have to start getting results in our own right.
"Losing to Leicester at home was sickening.
"We had an off-day, made basic errors and they punished us.
"We pushed them close at Welford Road last season and that is the result we need to remember."
Ross and Jones have played 3,091 minutes of Premiership rugby this season and, alongside Fuga, have been the unsung heroes of Quins pack as the side has risen to challenge for a top four finish.
Only full-back Mike Brown - with 1,586 minutes - has had more game time, and Ross thinks the time spent together on and off the pitch has meant the Stoop front five can now match anyone in the league.
"When I first came here, we knew the front row was a weakness, but I think we have turned that around and no one takes us for granted now," he said.
"We have worked hard at it.
"We have not been well beaten by any pack we have come across this season.
"We can go toe to toe with anyone."
Quins remain in the hunt for silverware this season and Ross is desperate for his side to help erase memories of cup final heartache with a former club.
"When I was at Cork Consitution, we were in a couple of finals - we lost one and won one," he said.
"I know what it is like to win a big match and lose a big match. Believe me, winning is better."
10:16am Friday 9th May 2008
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