HARLEQUINS’ scrum half Danny Care hopes his side’s new director will “stamp a bit of authority” on the team following a season of crushing disappointment at Twickenham Stoop.

A hefty 41-17 defeat by Exeter concluded the reign of John Kingston and sealed a chastening 10th place finish in the Aviva Premiership — the club’s worst performance since 2005.

Kingston spent 17 years at the club in various capacities and recognition of his service came in the form of a guard of honour by the squad, but Care knows a fresh start is needed with the search for a new boss well under way.

“Exeter used to come to the Stoop and you’d expect nothing else but a Quins victory. We need to get back to that,” Care said.

“If you look at the team sheet, you’d say Quins should win the game, but we know as players we haven’t pitched up as well as we can do this year.

“The new guy can hopefully stamp a bit of authority on us. It is about everyone buying in as we have the squad, the supporters. Hopefully the club can get back to where it should be.

“We have to trust the board to make the right decision. Let’s hope we get the right guy and he changes this around.

“There has been some communication between the board and the players about what has happened this year and the board made a decision to act.

“John’s said he feels it’s the right decision, which is the measure of him really. He is a top guy and has taken a hit.”