Worcester 26-42 Harlequins, Aviva Premiership
O'Shea: Lions must pick Care
April 20, 2013
Harlequins' Danny Care dives over to score, Worcester v Harlequins, Aviva Premiership, Sixways, Worcester, England, April 20, 2013
Danny Care scored twice against Worcester © Getty Images
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Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea hailed Danny Care as a "magician" who must be part of the British and Irish Lions touring squad this summer after watching the scrum-half produce an outstanding display against Worcester.

Care was the star of the show, scoring two of his side's six tries and creating another two as Harlequins secured their place in the Premiership semi-finals with a 42-26 triumph at Sixways.

O'Shea said of the 26-year-old England international: "Danny is an absolute magician on the rugby field as he is a magnificent player. The Lions must take him; he will be brilliant on the hard pitches in Australia."

The Quins boss was also impressed by his side's overall performance as the defending champions remain committed to playing enterprising rugby despite some recent setbacks. Prior to last weekend's win over Bath, Quins had suffered successive Aviva Premiership defeats to Saracens and Gloucester while going down 18-12 at home to Munster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

"We were gutted not to have performed against Munster last week but we are committed in our philosophy to play the game fast and loose," O'Shea said. "The firm grounds suit us and summer has taken a long time to arrive but no one has scored more than 24 points at Sixways this season and we have scored 42."

Quins' captain Chris Robshaw was helped from the field midway through the second half but O'Shea said: "Chris came down on his ankle and twisted it, it is swollen but he will be fine."

Worcester's recent run of eight defeats from their last nine matches saw the departure of director of rugby Richard Hill earlier in the week. Despite that disruption though they played with great spirit and were fully committed to the end.

Corin Palmer, Worcester's director of operations, said "We wanted to put a performance on for our fans. It has been a very difficult week, we asked for passion and we certainly showed some."

The game was marred by a serious-looking injury suffered by Warriors' number eight Semisi Taulava, who was stretchered off with ten minutes remaining.

"His neck was placed in a brace and he has gone to hospital but hopefully it was just a precaution and he will be ok," said Palmer.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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