Harlequins trio Nick Easter, Danny Care and Ugo Monye have retained their Six Nations places in the England line-up to face Grand Slam champions Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Boss Martin Johnson has kept faith with the starting fifteen that stumbled to an unconvincing 17-12 triumph over Italy in Rome earlier this month, as he bids to maintain his team’s unbeaten start to the campaign.

Easter, Care and Monye were faces in the crowd at the Stoop as they were rested for their club’s 13-6 victory over Northampton Saints that ended a run of four Guinness Premiership matches without a win.

Quins made light of their absence to take a 13-0 lead at the break, although they were made to work hard to hold on for the win as winger David Strettle spurned a golden opportunity to make the game safe.

A 19-10 win for bottom club Leeds at Sale Sharks on Friday had head coach John Kingston’s struggling side looking over their shoulder at the drop zone.

But the Stoop chief - who welcomes new director of rugby Conor O’Shea to the club next month - insists Quins can continue the recovery to look up the table, even without their international stars.

“The intensity of the performance by the lads was outstanding and the attitude in our camp is very, very good. I can see us going forward steadily,” he said.

“I saw the Sale v Leeds result on Friday night, but I look on that as a positive, as a result that prevents Sale from pulling away from us as we fight to climb the table.

“It is not for us to suggest who will finish bottom of the Guinness Premiership, but it won't be Quins.

“If we can carry on coping while our lads are away on international duty, I believe we will kick on during the last six or seven league games.”