Richards ready for "Battle Royal"

The man who skippered Leicester Tigers into their first Heineken Cup final, and then managed them to their back-to-back triumphs in 2001 and 2002, is now director of operations at Harlequins.

Some may have thought the two-times European Challenge Cup winners unlikely candidates to lift European club rugby's ultimate prize at the start of the season, but with five wins in six Pool matches, including a double over Stade Français Paris, the Quins have raised more than a few eyebrows this season.

And last weekend's 19-3 victory at Bath Rugby, which kept them in the running for the Guinness Premiership title, showed everyone that Leinster's task at the Twickenham Stoop this weekend is going to be a difficult one.

"It's going to be a very, very interesting contest - a battle royal," said Richards. "The win over Bath will give us a bit of confidence - it means we will go into the game against Leinster with an understanding of what we are about.

"We've played some quality rugby of late and, with only one defeat in our last 10 games, we are on form. And we have a fantastic coaching team who have a great understanding of what the players are about. They have developed a team that is working well as a unit.

"We have real ambition and we are comfortable in defence. Everyone has been questioning if it's too much for Quins to be pushing to win the Premiership and the Heineken Cup."

Leinster are into their sixth Heineken Cup quarter-final and will arrive in London with a host of players still basking in the glory of helping Ireland to win its first Grand Slam in 61 years, including triumphant skipper Brian O'Driscoll.

"We are pretty wary of what Leinster have to offer. They are a quality side with world class players," said Richards. "World class players tend to rise to the occasion, and we certainly expect that from Leinster and the likes of O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Felipe Contepomi. Leinster have always been the bridesmaids in Europe, but now they are aiming to be right up there.

"But we aren't going to get carried away with the occasion - it's just another game for us.

"We've just got to get on with the job. We're playing at home in front of a full house and we know that people are going to hype up the occasion throughout the week.

"The players know what is expected of them and they know that if they do things properly they have a chance of winning.

"There is confidence in the side at the moment and the players are playing for each other and understand what they are trying to achieve. We are developing into a pretty good side that wants to achieve something special this season."