Fourie made his full England debut against Samoa

Leeds Carnegie flanker Hendre Fourie says the players are to blame for losing their opening nine league games.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington rejected claims on Sunday that he was going to sack the management team of Andy Key and Neil Back.

Fourie told BBC Radio Leeds: "We believe in what they do and we just need to do what they say a bit better.

"We need to look at ourselves and man for man just own up and do the best you can," the England international added.

Leeds lost 51-18 at Harlequins on Sunday to remain cast adrift at the bottom of the Premiership, leading to Hetherington to angrily dismiss newspaper reports that he would sack his management team as a result.

"I was disappointed by the story. It is a complete fabrication," the chief executive said.

"We don't react to disappointing results by sacking the coach. That is not our way.

"In fact we have only had three coaches here in the last 15 years and the last one left to take a big job with the RFU. We don't sack coaches."

606: DEBATE It has taken 9 games for the management to be consistent in selection having underminded players confidence by playing them out of position Thesnowmonkey

Sunday's defeat left Carnegie with just three points ahead of the visit of leaders Northampton, and Fourie insisted it was up to the players to put things right.

"You have to help your team-mates out with the way you perform, so the better you play, the better everyone around you plays.

"We need to man-up and do our best and pick it up a notch."

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