Harlequins captain Joe Marler has revealed travelling to Leicester Tigers is the sort of game that can spark the squad into life.

Quins have endured an indifferent start to the new Premiership campaign, while Leicester Tigers are staring down the barrel of a fourth straight top flight defeat.

Director of rugby Conor O’Shea’s men go into the match on the back of a morale boosting 52-0 win over London Welsh.

But it is the thought of going toe-to-toe with the division’s title contenders that gets Marler’s juices flowing.

“The last few times we have played Leicester they have been really competitive,” he said speaking at this week’s launch of the European Rugby Champions Cup at the Stoop.

“We enjoy going to places that are hostile and where we are not liked.

“We are looking forward to Friday night and are hoping to go into Europe in some good form.”

Quins, with Leinster and Wasps also in Pool Two of the competition, kick-off their Champions Cup campaign next Friday.

Castres visit the Stoop on the dawn of a new European rugby era.

“We are privileged to be the opening game,” he added.

“Who would have thought the teams in our pool would have been in as indifferent form as they have been.

“It is going to be an interesting pool.”