The brutal gang killing of a south London teenager has provided an unlikely source of motivation for Harlequins’ tilt at Premiership glory.
Quins boss Paul Gustard is urging his players to seize the moment - as he did a decade ago when offering help and practical support to the victim's grief-stricken father.
Ahead of today’s final round of matches Gustard’s team trail Northampton by one point in the race for fourth place and the last semi-final spot. Quins are at Wasps, Saints at table-topping Exeter.
With no room for further error a screen at the Londoners’ training base repeatedly beams the message: “If not us, who? If not now, when?”
The author is Gustard, whose side have lost five of their last seven league games. By way of explanation England's former defence coach tells a personal story.
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“Ten years ago I was going through a divorce,” he said. “I was on the tube reading an article in the Evening Standard which highlighted different charities and there was this guy who had lost his son in a brutal attack.”
Gustard explains how Les Persaud responded not by lashing out but instead offering to mentor the friends of Stefan, who had wanted to go after those responsible, to try to ensure they avoid the same fate.
“At the time I was searching for some more meaning in life," he continued. "I sat on the tube thinking, ‘this guy looks like he could do with some help’. I thought, if not me, who? And if not now, when?”
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On the spur of the moment he chose to become actively involved. “I would go to the schools with them, clean the toilets, whatever I could do to help,” he said.
“A charity was set up and I ran a midnight half marathon in Brighton with glow sticks and a spotlight on my head!
“I told this to the boys as a way of saying to them, 'Step up, step up, because we are close',” said Gustard, who has dared Quins 'to be great'. “We are almost there, where we need to be.”
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An emotional occasion is assured at the Ricoh, what with Elliot Daly, Nathan Hughes and Willie le Roux among those playing their final game for Wasps.
Defeat for Quins would bring an abrupt end to the career of James Horwill, as would a win for Northampton, who have chosen not to recall Dylan Hartley after long-term injury.
PLAY-OFF PERMUTATIONS
* Exeter have already booked a home semi-final but can still be caught for top spot if they lose to Northampton and Saracens, who are also guaranteed a home semi, win at Worcester.
* Gloucester are ensured of finishing third and playing away to the runners-up in next week's semi-final.
* Either Northampton (56 points) or Harlequins (55) will finish fourth and play away to the league 'winners'
