Harlequins back row Chris Robshaw reckons missing out on Heineken Cup rugby will be a tough void to fill for the club next season.

The 24-year-old has featured heavily in each of the club's last three top level European campaigns since they returned to the Guinness Premiership.

Saturday's 37-18 defeat to Saracens and Bath's 21-20 mid-week victory over Northampton Saints leaves them 10 points adrift of sixth spot.

An extra Heineken Cup spot would become available for seventh spot should London Wasps lift the Amlin Cup, however, Quins must win at Leicester Tigers on Saturday and beat Sale Sharks to stand a chance of making it via the back door.

Robsaw, like many of his team-mates, has seen his international prospects improved by performing well on the big stages across Europe.

And he admits the thought of not being involved has made the squad more determined to end the season on a high.

“Winning at Leicester this week is never an easy task. It is going to be a massive challenge,”he said.

“We've got to win our last two games and hope teams elsewhere do us a favour now. It is out of our hands.

“Quins missing out on the Heineken Cup will be a massive blow for the players and financially. There is inevitably a knock on affect.

“Generally the best players play for the best teams and those are the ones that play regularly in Europe.

“As a player you want to play in the best competitions, so it will be disappointing not to be there.”

Robshaw, who is eyeing a spot in England's overseas touring party this summer, has missed Quins' last two outings with an ankle problem and faces a fitness test ahead of Saturday's trip to Welford Road.

Director of rugby Conor O'Shea's men have been undone by their defensive on a number of occasions and the weekend defeat at Wembley to a Schalk Brits-inspired Sarries was no different.

“We haven't been precise enough this year in all aspects of the game,” he added.

“We went out trying to execute a gameplan and ended slipping off a couple of tackles to gift them a couple of tries and make it quite easy for them in the end.”

Robshaw was one of ten Quins to complete the rugby level two coaching badges this week at Bishop Wand School, Sunbury.

But he is no rush to take over head coach John Kingston's role.

“I'll be a more senior player next year so it will be good to pass on advice to the academy players coming through,” he added.

“When it comes to the seniors I think John and Conor are on safe ground for the time being.”

Harlequins' last two games: Apr 24 Leicester Tigers (a), May 8 Sale Sharks (h).