Scrum-half Danny Care reckons a top six finish with Quins could be his passport to Australia and New Zealand this summer.

The 22-year-old was one of the stars of England’s much-improved performance in a thrilling 12-10 Six Nations defeat in France at the weekend, to provide some evidence Martin Johnson’s men had made some head way this season.

Care started each of his side’s championship clashes - having finished the autumn internationals as second choice behind Paul Hodgson - and delivered one of his best displays in the Stade de France on Saturday night.

But even he admits he is not guaranteed a seat on the plane for his country’s five-match summer tour of the southern hemisphere, although strong finish for his club will help.

“I’ve been pleased with my Six Nations, but I would never say I was England’s number one scrum-half. There is so much competition for places in there,” he said.

“There is still a lot of work to do and a lot of rugby still to be played. I certainly can’t take my place for the tour to Australia for granted.

“I think a top four spot finish is probably beyond us now, but you never know what could happen.

“We’ve got six games to go and we have to get ourselves into the top six at least.

“I need to keep putting in the performances for Quins to keep myself in the England frame and a winning finish for us is only going to help.”

Quins, under new director of rugby Conor O’Shea, travel to Bath on Saturday for the first in a six game mini-season that will decide the club’s Heineken Cup fate.

And Care, who potted a cheeky drop goal in a 19-3 triumph at the Rec last season, admits it is the competition every player wants to test themselves in.

“It is a big stage and these days it is almost Test-match quality every time,” he added.

“Some of my best performances have come in the competition. The victory over Stade Francais in France is probably one of the best experiences I’ve had on a rugby field.

“The Bath game is huge for us. A win will set us up for the run in and will give us a chance of getting into that top six.

“The Challenge Cup is a good competition, but it is not the Heineken Cup and that is where a club like Quins wants to be.”

Quins’ next three games: Mar 27 Bath (a), Apr 4 Newcastle Falcons (h), 10 Leeds Carnegie (h).