NEC Harlequins rugby director Dean Richards believes his players have the confidence to respond in style after successive defeats against Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons.

The Stoop outfit face a crunch Christmas period, which former skipper Andre Vos believes can make or break their season in terms of domestic and European success.

Several players were rested for last week's EDF Energy Cup defeat at the Falcons, with one eye on a busy festive season featuring five games in 24 days.

The run begins with Saturday's European Challenge Cup tie against Bath, with Richards mindful of the fact his side's last foray into Europe sparked a dramatic upturn in the club's fortunes.

The club have been boosted in recent weeks by the return to full fitness of fly-half Andrew Mehrtens, scrum-half Steve So'oialo, and summer signings Stuart Abbot and Hal Luscombe.

And, with a close to full-strength squad from which to choose, Richards believes his side now has what it takes to meet the challenges ahead after a tough start to the season.

"Everybody has been working hard on our style of play and the development of players," said the Quins chief, who was this week named Guinness Premiership director of rugby of the month for November.

"We came close to a number of victories and played a good brand of rugby in the first part of the season but didn't come off the field with the win we wanted.

"Now I believe we have the confidence to take those teams head-on.

"We believe in what we have here and in the style we play."

Richards' award came after five straight wins, inspired by the 19-18 Challenge Cup triumph in Connacht, and a bonus point at Sale that lifted Quins clear of the Premiership relegation zone.

The about-turn in form has seen Richards again linked with speculation surrounding a role with the England international set-up following the resignation last week of head coach Andy Robinson.

The former Lions number eight has maintained he would listen to any advances from the RFU once a job had been defined, but that any move would on his own terms. Quins chief executive Mark Evans has insisted the club would need to be heavily compensated should his man move across the A316 to Twickenam HQ.

Meanwhile, Quins winger David Strettle played an instrumental role in helping England to a semi-final appearance against South Africa at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens last weekend.

But free-scoring Strettle, who finished as the tournament's leading scorer, couldn't inspire his side to a hat-trick of Dubai titles as they crashed 19-0 to the Springboks.

The 23-year-old said: "We desperately wanted to match our performance of the past two years but were just not able."

* Quins' evergreen back row Andre Vos has been named the Richmond & Twickenham Times player of the month.

The 31-year-old was ever-present in a month that brought the club's first Premiership wins, including home triumphs over Worcester Warriors and Northampton Saints.

* Andre's retirement plans: page 15.