Harlequins weren't good enough - Nick Easter

Harlequins number eight Nick Easter admitted that his team weren't good enough in the European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier on Friday.

After scoring the first points in the game inside five minutes, Harlequins were put under considerable pressure from Montpellier who took a lead of 13-3 by the 28th minute.A double penalty from fly-half Nick Evans reduced the gap to four at the end of the half-time.

Montpellier seized the advantage in the second half with Jesse Mogg scoring his second try and by the end of 70th minute the French team was leading 26-9.

Despite, Harlequins put a brave fight in the final 10 minutes with a try from Marland Yarde and five more points from replacement Ben Botica, they lost the game 19-26.

Easter, who will be seen in a dual role next season after named the defence coach, said it was disappointing to end the campaign with a defeat.

Admitting Harlequins' didn't win the key moments, Easter credited Montpellier for the victory and urged his players to return back to the basics.

"We are very disappointed, but you get what you deserve," Easter said.

"They were the better side. They schooled us at the breakdown and we couldn't adapt to it. Their maul was very strong, and in typical Quins fashion, we came back.

"I don't know what was happening with the kick right at the end, to be honest with you. That is just a brain freeze from one player. I'm not one to get carried away with the emotions, but we are really disappointed for Conor.

"We need to get back to what we were doing a few years ago.

"There needs to be a bit more accountability, I think, and a bit more understanding of key moments. There are always errors, but there are key moments when you have got to execute, and we didn't do that, especially in the second half."

A victory in the final would have taken Harlequins to the European Champions Cup, joining six other English Premiership teams - Saracens, Exeter, Wasps, Leicester, Northampton and Sale Sharks.

Easter believes after starting the season well, Harlequins lost momentum during the Six Nations with key players missing out.

"We can't say it was taken from us or Lady Luck played a part," Easter added. "They (Montpellier) deserved it. It is gutting to take, but you have got to use that hurt, remember it and drive it on.

"The first half of the season was really good. The Six Nations period hurt us, and then coming back we didn't quite gel and nail the games we needed to.

"We weren't good enough to be in the Champions Cup next season."