Fin Baxter is confident Harlequins will qualify for the Premiership play-offs if they maintain their current form, after they swept aside Newcastle Falcons.

Quins eased to a 24-3 bonus-point win, despite resting key players such as Marcus Smith and Danny Care, to go top of the table.

Nick David, Andre Esterhuizen, Jack Walker and George Hammond all crossed for tries at Kingston Park, as Harlequins made it three wins from four league games.

The bonus point is particularly important in what is shaping up to be a tight race for a top-four finish. Six teams were within three points of each other prior to the weekend, making every point count.

After one more round of games in late January, the Premiership goes on a two-month break during the Six Nations and Baxter is delighted his team cashed in on their form.

“It’s what we wanted back when we planned this period,” Baxter said.

“It is what we wanted out of this fixture and the boys really put up a performance, we stood in it and it was quite impressive.

“It is so important. With the top six being so tight as well, it is about keeping winning, keeping your neck in the fight.

“If we keep on this, we’ll be in the top four.”

Baxter has continued to impress in recent, coming in for injured England international Joe Marler, and won his individual battle against experienced Argentina international Eduardo Bello at the scrum.

Quins opened the scoring in the first minute through David and were businesslike in their dismantling of Newcastle, who remain winless in the Premiership after 11 games played.

Esterhuizen, Walker and Hammond all crossed the try line, while Harlequins’ defence was excellent throughout.

Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard was pleased with his team’s efforts:

"It was far from perfect but that's a big win and big points for us.

"We had chances to extend our lead in the first half but we didn't convert three or four chances. Our scrum was outstanding, it really gave us an early foothold, and our defence was great.

"There's a long way to go but we'll take it.

"You've just got to keep winning because it's such a tight competition and everyone else keeps winning. It was massive points for us."

Next up is a European double-header against Cardiff Rugby and Ulster on consecutive weekends.

“We want to be a team that wins in multiple ways,” Baxter added.

“We are not one dimensional, we can grind it out, we can play kicking rugby and then also we have got our usual.

“It is a good run up into Europe, a competition that we really want to do well in.”