Quins tore into Newcastle from the opening whistle, racing to a 26-0 lead before eventually running out 31-12 winners.

"The first 30 minutes was something special. We were outstanding and were well worth our four tries," Richards said.

"The passing and continuity showed the Quins style, which is playing with pace and ambition. We showed everything we are about and have been all season. We're delighted we've got what we wanted out of today."

Harlequins put the disappointment of their one-point defeat to Leinster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals firmly behind them as they turned on the style.

"The last couple of weeks have been pretty difficult, losing to Leinster and going up to Sale five days later and getting turned over," Richards added.

"I thought continuity was important and it paid dividends. It was a fast track and people will always be worried about a Harlequins side on a fast track."

Richards withdrew England winger Ugo Monye, the only Harlequins player named in the Lions squad to tour South Africa, with a "hamstring tweak" at half-time - two minutes after he had scored his side's fifth try - but expects him to be fit for the semi-final on May 9.

Monye's replacement Seb Stegmann might not be so fortunate after suffering a suspected knee ligament injury.

Quins scrum-half Danny Care staked a claim to replace Irishman Tomas O'Leary in the Lions squad after O'Leary broke his ankle in Munster's Magners League victory over Scarlets.

"I think they'll look at him but whether they'll take Danny or Dwayne Peel, you never know," added Richards. "It depends whether they go for experience or technical ability or just flair.

"Ian McGeechan (Lions coach) was here two weeks ago and mentioned he had come to watch Danny play, along with some other guys, so he is obviously in their minds but it will come down to whether they feel he is the right person to fit into their plans."

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates felt the game was "a step too far" for his side.

"Today was a tale of them having something huge to play for," he said.

"Last week (at home to Bath) was a massive game when we said goodbye to a lot of players and this was one of those games that was one step too far but I was really proud of the way the boys came back in the second half.

"Fair play to them, they were very good in the first half, very robust, moved the ball well and played quickly.

"It's probably why they are in the top four and we've got to learn some lessons from that."