GLOUCESTER director of rugby David Humphreys was left ruing his side’s ill-discipline as their hopes of qualifying for the European Rugby Champions Cup took a potentially fatal blow in defeat to Harlequins.

Quins sealed the win with tries from their back three – Charlie Walker, Marland Yarde and Ollie Lindsay-Hague all crossing, the latter two when Gloucester were down to 13 men late on.

Nick Evans added 14 points from the boot to the fight Quins showed, coming back from a seven-point deficit at half-time to win.

Gloucester dominated the set-piece in the first half and Bill Meakes and Charlie Sharples scored tries, adding to eleven points from Greig Laidlaw's boot.

But Quins rallied, taking the win, despite a Dan Robson consolation try, to leave Gloucester ten points behind seventh with just three games to go.

The Cherry & Whites can however qualify for Europe’s premier tournament should they win the Challenge Cup, with their semi-final clash against Exeter Chiefs next up on Saturday.

"The yellows are an obvious negative but we probably lacked discipline with the ball in the second half," said Humphreys.

"Credit to Harlequins they took every chance that came along; in the end we weren't good enough.

"We would have liked to be a bit further in front at half time with the dominance of our scrum but Harlequins weathered it well.

"Previously we have not started second-halves well - this one we did, we scored a great try but did not have the ability to close the game out.

"The reality is that we have to rely on winning the Challenge Cup now to qualify for the Champions Cup.”

Meanwhile, Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea feels his side have turned a corner after a difficult 12-week run.

"If we continue to show the resolve and the spirit we have in the group we will be fine. You cannot buy that. The fight that was in that group was incredible," he said.

"We will go to the bitter end and see what happens; we know we are up against it and probably have to win three games but even then Gloucester could win the Challenge Cup and there could be no seventh place.

"I am incredibly proud of what we are as a club and what we have achieved.

"I am not going to let the last 12 weeks define what we do.

"The young players continue to learn; I thought Matt Shields was manful today, to go for 80 minutes under the pressure was brilliant.

"He has come from Darlington Mowden Park and faced Alex Corbisiero, Tom Court, Mako Vunipola and then Nick Wood; you can't question what he's got in his heart.”

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