England number eight Nick Easter is sorry he can’t help Harlequins turn their Guinness Premiership form around - but he needs the rest.

The 31-year-old featured in Sunday’s stuttering 17-12 Six Nations win in Italy a week after starring in the thrilling triumph over Wales at Twickenham.

The former Rosslyn Park man missed the autumn international series through injury, but has started 15 games for his club since September - only four less than he played in the whole of last season.

Easter played a full part in England’s summer Test series against Argentina and has added two more international caps to his blossoming collection in 2010.

Head coach John Kingston’s men suffered a disappointing 46-6 defeat at the hands of Gloucester and have won just one of their last nine games as they have slipped out of the Heineken Cup, LV Cup and down the Premiership table.

Quins’ talismanic back row has been ordered to rest - alongwith Ugo Monye and Danny Care - this week by England boss Martin Johnson.

And while he is disappointed to be sitting out Saturday’s clash with brother Mark’s Northampton Saints, he believes it is for the best.

“Of course I’d love to be involved but it is all about managing your body and the number of games you play. I’m getting on a bit now,” he said.

“There are a lot of games still to play and it is about making sure I’m fit for the rest of the season when things start getting really important.

“I’ve spoken to the lads and they were massively disappointed with the Gloucester game, but confidence remains high. Given the result things couldn’t be more upbeat.”

England have been widely slammed for over reliance on the boot in Rome and Easter concedes address the sides decision making in attack is on the agenda ahead of Ireland’s visit to Twickenham on February 27.

“The days of beating Italy heavily are long gone. They are not the side they were. I’ve played them four times and three of those games have been close,” he added.

“When we upped the tempo we played some good rugby and showed we could cut them apart.

“You can’t just run with the ball in international rugby. You have to pick your moments and move the opposition about to create mismatches. That is something we will need to work on.”