Harlequins have shown a lot of grit to stay in contention for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals but now they have to complete the job according to second row Matt Symons.

The team from south-west London face Wasps in Coventry on the final weekend needing to overtake Northampton Saints, who currently sit in fourth, one spot above Quins as they travel to leaders Exeter.

For Symons, in his first season at the club after joining from Wasps, these must-win games are the reason to play the game.

He said: “These are massive crunch games and we can’t wait to get stuck in. For us it’s about enjoying the occasion, having fun with it and fronting up.

“The Premiership is so physical these days, you can’t shy away from that. You’ve got to get that right first and everything else follows.

“It’s probably gone a bit better than I expected to be honest. In the latter part of the season I think we’ve shown a lot of grit and fight. We’ve ground out some bonus points and got some results. On the flip side we’ve probably slipped up in a couple of games we’d have liked to close out.”

Saturday’s game could also be the last for former Australia captain James Horwill, who will hang up his boots at the end of the campaign.

Symons has had the chance to play alongside Horwill in the second row this season, and admits the veteran lock will be missed.

He added: “I’ve learned a lot. You can see why he’s one of the talismen in the squad and co-captain. He puts his body through hell and I’ll be sad to see him go.

“He looks after his body exceptionally well and is just an exemplary professional.”