Ben Pienaar says hard work is the only solution to London Welsh’s terrible start to the season.

The back-row forward was Welsh’s sole try-scorer in last Friday’s 46-10 home defeat to Gloucester.

That was the Exiles’ fourth straight Aviva Premiership defeat of the season, but did at least come after an improved first hour in which they trailed 15-10.

“It was definitely our best first half so far,” said ex-England Under 19 cap Pienaar.

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“We can’t put our heads in the sand.

“The only way we are going to go forward is to work hard and hopefully we’ll be able to turn it around.

“We were doing quite well until the 61st or 62nd minute, but it started to fall away from us.

“We have resolved the problem and hopefully we can do better against Harlequins this weekend.”

Welsh take on Quins at the Stoop today, with most punters predicting a comfortable home win, “Many people have probably written us off already,” said Pienaar.

“But there are areas for us to attack against Quins.

“If we just focus on our own game, hopefully we can turn it around.

“I think we can and what better place to start than the Stoop?”

Pienaar, who came on for the injured Richard Thorpe after ten minutes against Gloucester, said taking over from him proved key to getting on the scoresheet for Welsh.

“Unfortunately, Thorpey took a whack to the head, which meant I had more time on the pitch,” he said.

“I took his place in the driving maul to get the try, so I will buy him a beer.”

Pienaar, 28, added: “I didn’t feature much last year, but I worked very hard in pre-season and Justin Burnell rewarded me with a chance.”

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