Harlequins scrum half Danny Care insists the current squad has silverware in its sights whether that be in this year’s Guinness Premiership play-offs or next season.

The 22-year-old number nine starred as director of rugby Dean Richards men breezed past Newcastle Falcons 31-12 on Saturday to book a second-place finish and a home play-offf semi-final clash with London Irish.

Quins hit back in style - after last Friday’s defeat at Sale Sharks - with first half tries from Nick Easter (2), Tani Fuga, Mike Brown and Ugo Monye to bag the bonus-point triumph.

It means the side is still on target to book a dream Twickenham date in the Premiership final on May 16 following the disappointment of their 6-5 Heineken Cup quarter-final defeat to Leinster earlier this month.

And Care reckons the squad - should it remain largely intact - is confident of filling the Stoop trophy cabinet come next May, if not in the next fortnight.

“The squad will only get stronger next season. Every game we have played together we have got better this year and the squad has become tighter,” he said.

“We want to win silverware. It is why we are all here and we have an excellent chance of doing that this year.

“We’ve already shown that we are capable of going up against and beating the best teams in Europe and I don’t see any reason why we can’t at least do that again and go one step further.”

Care has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months since making his England debut on the controversial summer tour of New Zealand and now has nine international caps to his name.

He was among the first to congratulate winger Monye on his Lions call-up last week and is now under spotlight for selection against after Ireland scrum-half Tomas O’Leary pulled out of the trip to South Africa having suffered a broken ankle at the weekend.

Monye attributes the club’s successes this season for his inclusion in Ian McGeechan’s touring party and fortunately - due to Quins’ involvement in the play-offs - Care still has the chance to impress.

But the Hampton-based youngster insisted that will not be a distraction.

“At Quins we don’t have any players that play for themselves. We play for the team first and if that results in international recognition then that is a bonus,” he added.

“If you get picked, you get picked. If you don’t, you don’t. It is as simple as that.

“Being selected for the Lions would be a massive honour, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Meanwhile, Quins back-row Chris Robshaw - touted by Richards in recent weeks as a future England international - has been shortlisted for the Guinness Premiership Player of the Season award.

The 22-year-old number six will go up against London Irish full-back Delon Armitage, Leicester Tigers back-row Tom Croft, Bath winger Joe Maddock and London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua for the gong announced on May 5.

Richards is in the running for Director of Rugby of the Season crown, while Jordan Turner-Hall has been nominated in the Discovery of Season category.

Harlequins next game: May 9 London Irish (h, Guinness Premiership play-off, May 16 Guiness Premiership final ???