Harlequins fly-half Adrian Jarvis has revealed a run of one win in 13 matches has brought a seachange at the Stoop designed to unleash the side's strike runners.

Quins kicked off the campaign with experienced number 10 Chris Malone orchestrating a conservative game plan that brought an impressive Guinness Premiership opening of four wins in six games.

But, with the former Bath man sidelined with a persistent back problem, Jarvis has been given a chance after recovering from a freak illness that left him unable to walk.

The 24-year-old returned to action in the EDF Energy Cup win at London Irish and has featured in six games since.

Director of rugby Dean Richards believes improving weather conditions should allow his developing young side to throw the ball around more.

And Jarvis, who received a warm reception when he replaced Malone in the defeat to Leicester Tigers earlier this month, admitted the change suits him just fine.

"We had that string of losses and we could have either gone into our shells or tried to express ourselves," he said.

"We have been given the opportunity to play attacking, ambitious rugby rather than take a conservative approach.

"It isn't that we have been restricted before, but it has been a conscious decision by the squad to go out and get the ball into the back three's hands and take on the opposition."

Jarvis was struck down by a bout of reactive arthritis he developed after suffering from food poisoning, which prevented him from training until 10 days before his first XV return in an EDF Energy Cup win at London Irish.

His absence has seen him lose the place in the England Saxons Churchill Cup squad he earned last season with a string of impressive displays.

Jarvis insists there is more to come now he is fit again.

"It is difficult to describe what the illness was like, but it was very frustrating," he added.

"I felt terrible and couldn't do anything for about three months. I have had to fight hard to get back in. Now I have got the opportunity to cement my place, I want to get back to where I was last year."