NEC Harlequins winger Simon Keogh fears his international ambitions have suffered because he plays in the Guinness Premiership.

The 27-year-old Irishman featured in Ireland A's three Churchill Cup matches last summer but has not received a call-up since.

Fellow winger David Strettle, by contrast, has rocketed up the international pecking order with some spectacular Six Nations displays, adding to nine tries in Quins colours this season.

Keogh is not far behind with six of his own, two of which came in back-to-back defeats to Wasps last week and leaders Gloucester on Saturday.

And he is hoping a good finish to the season can secure a recall for the 2007 second-string tournament in May.

"I think it is pretty hard for Irish managers to keep an eye on what is going on at home and over here," he said after Quins' 34-25 defeat at Kingsholm.

"Unless you are making a massive splash in England you can get overlooked, but that is just the way it is.

"We have three games left and, with the weather improving, hopefully I can get my hands on the ball and show what I am capable of.

"The Premiership is a tough competition and I am happy to be playing.

"But you want to be at your best and I have not been involved in games enough this season.

"I was against Wasps and Gloucester and scored.

"The faster ground can only help me."

A stirring second-half fightback saw Quins claim a bonus point with touchdowns from Tom Williams, Tani Fuga and Mike Brown.

Keogh's try had given the half-time scoreline of 24-8 some respectability after Gloucester raced into a 17-0 lead.

The introduction of Andrew Mehrtens for the injured Adrian Jarvis at the break sparked the turnaround, leaving rugby director Dean Richards pleased with his team's fighting spirit.

The defeat leaves hopes of a top-six finish hanging in the balance, but Keogh believes the odds are still in Quins' favour.

"We played very poorly in the first half and slipped off a lot of individual tackles which teams like Gloucester punish you for," he added.

"It does make reaching the top six more difficult, but we are playing two teams above us and wins against them can put us right back in the mix.

"You have to remember we don't have to leave London for any of our remaining fixtures so the comforts of home could work in our favour."

Remaining fixtures: Apr 7, London Irish (H), Apr 15, Saracens (A), Apr 28, Sale Sharks (H).