'Hurting' Leeds look to turn tables at Harlequins

Leeds have lost all eight of their opening Premiership games and are seven points adrift of second-bottom Newcastle after picking up just three losing bonus points all season.

The latter of those came last Saturday at Exeter, and although Key insists confidence remains high, he did accept that the current predicament is hard to bear.

"Of course the players are hurting, they are human and they don't want to be losing the way that we are," said Leeds's director of rugby.

"We recognise what's gone on and we can't change that but what we can do is use it to mentally strengthen the players and use it to move on and become a better side and that's what we believe we have done this week, the spirit has been outstanding and the enthusiasm top drawer.

"We go into the game this week confident that we have a game plan and a set of players that can get their first win."

Such is the coaching staff's belief that they are on the right lines – despite results betraying that confidence – the same starting XV that took the field at Sandy Park will continue the fight for a belated victory at Twickenham Stoop tomorrow.

Only Andy Titterrell and Sean Hohneck are long-term absentees, with Key and Neil Back selecting a side that they believe can win the battle up front and narrow the attacking threat of a Harlequins side who have won 10 of their last 11 matches at the Stoop.

"Harlequins are a rugged side with a lot of ability and talent in a lot of areas and have strength in depth," said Key.

"They are a very physical side in the breakdown and if they can get loose will punish you.

"They have a back three that like to work with the ball and play with the ball so we know that this is a big challenge.

"We are very clear about what we need to do this weekend and we appreciate the strengths that they have and we respect them but we also go down there with huge confidence that we can win."

"No disrespect to Exeter, that was a game we lost rather than they won. We gave them opportunities when we shouldn't and silly indiscipline gave them points early on and then gave them crucial points in the second half, which we shouldn't have given away. We made all the chances and didn't finish them off and that's something that has to change."

Harlequins have made only one change with Joe Marler coming in at prop.