Director of rugby Conor O'Shea is expected to hand Darlington Mowden Park prop Matt Shields a dream shot at Premiership rugby.

Former Newcastle Falcons Shields, a law graduate from Cumbira currently playing in National Division One, has featured for Harlequins' A League and LV= Cup teams on loan recently.

But he will be drafted in to the club's senior squad this week ahead of Saturday's crunch visit from Exeter Chiefs.

Quins' young pack were twice bulldozed for penalty tries in the second half as Wasps ran out 37-6 winners in Coventry to move up to fourth in the league table.

Kyle Sinckler is the only recognised tight head prop at the club with Will Collier - out for the rest of the season - and Paul Doran-Jones on the treatment table.

And O'Shea has decided it is time to beef up his threadbare options.

"We're three tight heads down with Will Collier, Paul Doran Jones and our academy tight head out, so we had to bring someone up from the U20s," said O'Shea.

"Seb Adeniran-Olule can play all three positions in the front row, but that is tough.

"We'll get somebody in on Monday from Darlington Mowden Park. He'll help support Kyle Sinckler. That will be a project for us." 

Fiji international back rower Netani Talei made an impressive first Premiership appearance for Quins on Sunday, having recently moved to the Stoop following his release fron Newport Gwent Dragons in October.