Flanker Luke Wallace has warned Harlequins’ returning internationals that Quins’ table-topping young guns are not prepared to give up their first-team places without a fight.

The 27-18 defeat of Leicester Tigers, Quins’ first win at Welford Road in 14 years, extended their 100 per cent start to the season.

Wallace has been a key part of that surge to the top of the table winning back-to-back man-of-the-match awards.

But while life at the Stoop might seem rosy at the moment, Wallace and co intend to give Conor O’Shea several headaches as Nick Easter and Maurie Fa’asavalu return from the World Cup.

He said: “Nick and Maurie are top-class players and it will be interesting to see how everyone fits in.

“I have been pretty happy with my form at the start of the season and now I am playing regularly I want to stay there.

“Everyone’s confidence is very high and I don’t think it matters who you are at Quins as long as you are playing well.

“The start hasn’t taken us by surprise, but we are not getting carried away.”

The other notable feature of Quins start has been the reliance on academy products with 11 of the starting XV against the Tigers being homegrown.

Many of those new faces made their Quins bow during the LV= Cup, which takes the place of the Premiership for two weeks.

Wallace himself made his club debut against London Irish and the 21-year-old says getting a taster of top-flight rugby so early has been crucial.

He said: “Playing in the LV= Cup you are playing in big stadiums with lots of fans and at a higher intensity.

“It means when you come into the league, you are used to the set-up and know what’s expected.”

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