ENGLAND back row hopeful Jack Clifford aims to repay the faith Harlequins have shown in him by leading the club back into the big time.
Clifford, 26, had been speaking to Exeter and other Premiership clubs prior to signing a new three-year deal last month to remain at the Stoop – due reward for the excellent season he is enjoying after battling back from serious shoulder injuries.
He now aims to finish the season in style at Quins and boost his own chances of earning a World Cup spot with England into the bargain, citing the influence of rugby director Paul Gustard as a key driver in his decision to stick with his boyhood club.
Clifford told The Rugby Paper: “I was out of contract this summer and hadn't actually had an offer from Quins, so I wanted to see what was out there and when a club like Exeter wants to talk to you, it's flattering and you have to take a look.
“There were a few clubs we looked at but, when it came to it, I like the way Quins are going and really wanted to stay on under Paul Gustard.
“When I saw he was coming last summer I was excited about it and I never really wanted to leave Harlequins. We're doing well and I've loved my time here, so when the opportunity of another three years came, I bit their hand off to re-sign.
“After what happened with all my injury stuff over the last couple of seasons, they've stuck behind me and I was happy with the statement they made.
I'd done my rehab, put some games together and they obviously saw what they wanted.”
After returning in late October following six months out, Clifford's form earned him a recall to England's Six Nations squad, albeit he ultimately failed to add to his ten caps, the last of which came against Italy at Twickenham over two years ago.
With England's back row competition so fierce he knows the World Cup is a long shot, but says: “It was a good confidence boost being named in that Six Nations camp and it helped me get my bearings back around playing at that level again.
“I'd have loved to have been involved in the games, but for me it was just part of the process of getting back to playing consistently well for Quins and helping to get the club back to where we should be after a few disappointing seasons.
“We want to be competing in the play-offs, playing in big semi-finals and finals and getting back into the Champions Cup again. Our aim is to finish this season on a high and use it as a springboard – if that happens, the rest of it will follow.”
After working with Gustard, right, during his time as England's defence coach, Clifford is convinced he is the man to restore the glory days at the Stoop as Quins prepare for this week's Challenge Cup semi-final at Clermont Auvergne.
He added: “It's no easy task but we want to be testing ourselves against the best in Europe – and Clermont are exactly that.
“It's a hell of a challenge but we're excited about what we can achieve under Gussy, who's come in and transformed our results. He's asked us to work hard and gives 110 per cent himself – that's all you can ask and we're all buying into it.”
