Only two years ago the London club seemed to be on the brink of collapse after the 'bloodgate’ saga. Yet not only did they survive, they have thrived and are still unbeaten this season. The Daily Telegraph's Mick Cleary reports.
"Mick Cleary: Image is important and Harlequins have shown that you can transcend seemingly awful things and come out the other side. Is that a lesson for the RFU, perhaps, that a besmirched reputation doesn’t need to last forever, as long as the right things are done to repair the damage?
"Conor O'Shea: Sport changes so quickly, as do people’s perceptions. We know that we’re not a good side now just as we won’t be a bad side when we lose. This group wants to create history in a different way for the club. We want to win and we want to conduct ourselves properly.
"Mick Cleary: Was there a mission plan when you came in (in March 2010, after Dean Richards had resigned from the club over 'Bloodgate’ in August 2009)?
"Conor O'Shea: To me, the players are everything. It’s up to them to define what they’re about. I did say that we wanted to be the best club in Europe. The players identified a style of play, so that it’s recognisable and everyone can articulate it clearly. There’s a lot of talk about the right culture and that’s the biggest thing I looked at.
"Culture does not just happen. It has to evolve and you have to all buy into it. That’s why it’s important to have young players, such as Chris, commit to the club long-term."
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