Winger Tom Williams reckons the success of British Lion Ugo Monye and Chris Robshaw’s recent England debut prove Harlequins is the place for top players to further their careers.

Monye touched down for his fourth try of this summer’s tour to South Africa in Tuesday’s bruising 20-8 triumph over the Southern Kings to land a starting slot in Saturday’s first Test match against the Springboks.

It has been a remarkable rise for the 26-year-old flyer having only made his international debut in autumn and missing some of the Six Nations tournament through injury.

Robshaw capped a fine season with his first international cap in the weekend’s 24-22 defeat to Argentina in Salta - where team mates Nick Easter and Danny Care were also in action.

A host of others - including Jordan Turner-Hall, Mike Ross, Tom Guest, David Strettle and Mike Brown - have also taken their first steps at representative level for their countries.

And Williams believes it gives the rest of the squad and potential new signings an added incentive knowing their efforts will be rewarded under director of rugby Dean Richards.

“There is a different buzz around the place and the whole club is proud of what they have achieved,” he said.

“People now realise that with the results we have achieved this season, if you play well you are going to gain international honours.

“Ten years ago we had one or two internationals like Will Greenwood and Jason Leonard - plus a handful of overseas players - and the general perception was we were a posh boys club who only did well in the cups.

“We now have a solid base of English qualified players and England capped players. It creates a very competitive environment and people see Quins as a place to progress.”

Squad members not on international duty returned to pre-season training this week - a day before Monye’s try scoring heroics in Port Elizabeth.

And Williams reckons his rival for a place in the Quins starting line-up was always a front runner to make Lions coach Ian McGeechan’s Test side.

“Ugo couldn’t really have done much more considering he has shown his finishing skills by getting four on tour already,” he added.

“I’m struggling to find anything that would have gone against him apart from the selectors maybe preferring to go with a bit more experience with Rob Kearney, but there was nothing between them.”