Harlequins end 1,722-day wait for Premiership win over Saracens

Harlequins simply could not afford to leak tries so heavily again and head coach Danny Wilson said their defensive improvements paved the way for success on Sunday.

“We didn’t talk about Sarries much, we spent a whole week talking about how if we get our game model right with the improvements we are trying to make in defence, then we give ourselves a real chance,” Wilson told BBC Radio London.

“I’m really pleased, it’s a massive win. To win a derby game at home, which we haven’t for a while against Saracens, and a fully-loaded Saracens at that, is really pleasing.”

Wilson said Quins have placed more importance on how they are going to contain teams during preparation for games so far this season.

“There are two things. One, we’ve brought in a new defence coach which has given us a real clarity of system from Jason [Gilmore], which is excellent,” he added.

“Second thing is as a group, we’ve put defence first more often. So, we’ve started meetings with defence clips. We’ve started sessions with defence.

“Quins do not want to lose our attacking identity but if we don’t improve our defence, we have to go and score five tries every week to give us a chance of winning.”