Harlequins fly-half Nick Evans has warned the Guinness Premiership top four the arrival of new director of rugby Conor O’Shea could yet inspire them to a top four finish.

The former Ireland full-back arrives at the club on Monday, ready for the trip to top six rivals Bath, with Quins facing a six game mini-season to achieve the minimum of qualifying for the Heineken Cup.

A 14-11 triumph over Worcester Warriors has eased fears of a potential relegation battle at the Stoop and left the squad looking up the table rather than over their shoulders.

O’Shea will step into the roll vacated by disgraced former chief Dean Richards in the summer, while England stars Ugo Monye, Nick Easter and Danny Care - on duty against Scotland on Saturday - are set to return from Six Nations action ahead of the run-in.

And with Quins having enjoyed a three week break before their next competitive action, Evans believes circumstances could yet play in to his side’s hands as the run-in beckons.

“Everyone is excited about Conor coming here. It will be good to have a new captain of the ship steering things,” he said.

“It will be good have him around taking on all the things Deano did, taking hold of the club and giving us a new direction. That could make a big difference to us.

“We will be approaching things fully refreshed after a good break, which gives a few people time to get over some niggling injuries.

“Mathematically we are not out of the race to finish in the top four. It is a mini-season for us.

“We firmly believe we can win all of our remaining games and if we do that we’ll get to where we want to be.”

Quins needed the boot of Rory Clegg to edge past Worcester and Evans is hopeful confidence is building at the right time.

“The game against Worcester was pretty desperate stuff at times, with both teams probably a bit nervous,” he added.

“Confidence has always been there we’ve just been a bit frustrated with things not going our way.

“Once we get our England players back, all of a sudden we are in great shape.”

Harlequins’ next three games: Mar 27 Bath (a), Apr 3 Newcastle (h), 10 Leeds Carnegie (h).