SAM Vesty admits Harlequins’ perfect start to the season commands respect, but insists little can be read into the current Aviva Premiership standings.

Quins, marshalled by brilliant New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans, arrive at the Rec tomorrow (2.15pm) boasting seven league wins from seven, 12 points ahead of Bath, who occupy fourth spot.

But no 10 Vesty, who scored a try and booted the winning penalty in the 13-12 victory at London Irish, last weekend, insists the league campaign will move up another notch in intensity with the return of players from World Cup duty.

“Quins are playing really well and you cannot take that away from them, but lots of the other teams they have played have had players missing,’’ said the former Leicester man.

“At this time of the year, the competition has suffered a little bit. Some players have had 10 or more players missing and other have had one.

“It’s not a level playing field and it would be a very good betting man who would put money on things being the same way at the end as they are now.

“We’ve been given a boost with the return of players from the World Cup in the last couple of weeks.

“Some of the guys haven’t played an awful lot of rugby but Bath’s squad looks stronger.

“Squads win Premierships and if you have got 30 or 40 players involved you are in good shape.’’ Vesty has no doubt that Evans, who could line up opposite him tomorrow, holds the key to defeating Quins.

“He (Evans) is one of the best players in the league. he’s their main man and we have to shut him down and close down his options,’’ he added.

Vesty is also looking forward to the imminent arrival of another Kiwi, World Cup winner Stephen Donald, to the Bath squad, with the pair likely to joust for the fly-half shirt.

“He’s a quality player and having him around is going to make everyone want to show their mettle,’’ he added.

“He’s going to be in high spirits (after New Zealand’s World Cup win), although that might change when he gets down to the cold and wet conditions here!’’