Hewat has missed just one match for London Irish this season

Full-back Peter Hewat is confident London Irish can finish the Premiership season strongly and climb the league.

Irish face Harlequins this weekend, having slipped to fifth in the table.

Hewat told BBC Berkshire: "We're not a team who is really successful in this period because we're a team that likes drier pitches.

"We just think if we can stay in touch over the next few weeks, we know we'll finish strongly and the hard grounds are just round the corner."

The Exiles are yet to win in seven games in 2010 but ended a run of three straight defeats by drawing 12-12 at Newcastle last Saturday.

And Hewat believes their performance at Kingston Park hinted at better times being around the corner.

"We've changed a few things over the past couple of weeks and we saw an improvement in that first half against Newcastle," he said.

Hewat is relishing the prospect of a local derby against Quins at the weekend and says clashes between the two are still seen by the players as one of the highlights of the season.

"In the two-and-a-bit years that I've been playing here we've had some great games against each other and some tight games," said Hewat.

"This weekend's going to be no different. We both need a win.

"If we can build on what we've doing for the past few weeks, hopefully we'll come out as victors, but it'll be a tight game."

Hewat was again playing out of position at Newcastle, starting on the wing rather than his usual full-back position.

But he said he was prepared to put the team first.

"Wing definitely isn't my favourite position, but I've been put there this season because we've had a lot of injuries in the back three as I'm the next best option there," he added.

"So it's been a frustrating year in that aspect, but I'm happy as long as I'm playing rugby and getting out there each week."

London Irish versus Harlequins kicks off at 1500 GMT on Sunday 28 February and is live on BBC Berkshire.

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