Quins star David Strettle insists securing qualification for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals at the weekend doesn’t make Saturday’s clash with the Llanelli Scarlets any less important.

Director of rugby Dean Richards men lost 21-10 in horrendous conditions at Ulster on Saturday, but will still top their group table after the Welshmen beat Stade Francais 24 hours later.

“It was a disappointment to lose. Played in better conditions, I would have backed us to have won that game more times than not,” said Strettle.

“As it stands at the moment we have a ten per cent chance of getting a home tie, but a bonus point win over Scarlet would give us a 70 per cent chance.”

“That game is just as important now as it would be if we were still fighting for qualification.”

And the 25-year-old reckons the squad must quickly turn its attention to their faltering league campaign that sees them without a win in three games.

“It is very hard to balance a Premiership and a Heineken Cup run. In my eyes the Premiership is the most important thing,” he added.

“There is no point getting to the semis of the European Cup, getting knocked out and finding yourself eighth in the Premiership.”