O'Shea: Leinster are the benchmark
Harlequins came good when it really mattered to go top of Pool 2 after winning on the road at Adams Park.
The 23-16 victory over Premiership rivals Wasps drew them level with Leinster on eight points but their superior try count earns them top spot.
The Quins pack was the difference between the sides and now they look forward with relish to their back-to-back contests with three-times European champions Leinster in December.
"It is incredibly exciting for this group, Leinster and Toulon are the ones who have set the benchmark in Europe in recent years," said former Leinster star and now Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O'Shea.
"I think I scored Leinster's first try in Europe in a game against Milan in Italy and it is going to be really nice going back.
"They [Leinster] showed what they are all about by coming back from 9-16 down to take that victory in Castres, and when you look at teams like Leister and Munster, they always seem to find a way to come though in tight games.
"This was our best performance by a long stretch and a real improvement on last week. We had so much dominance for so much of the game although our ambition in the first half did not yield what we wanted
"It is a win and it is lovely for the players and to feel good about getting back to the way we like to play.
"If you get two scores ahead you can get the belief that allows you to go on a roll and it is a bit disappointing we could not pull away. But then Adams Park is a very difficult place to come and play.
"We looked as though we were going to get out in front but we gave away penalties that Andy Goode kicked."
