CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and the temptation at this time of year is to over indulge.

I've no doubts, however, that this Worcester squad will be totally professional next week.

We have a big game against Coventry at Sixways on December 27 and all our energies and focus will be on that.

The fact that we are training most of next week shows that we are totally focused on one thing - and it doesn't involve mince pies!

You just cannot afford to take your eye off the ball for one second when the prize is so big. A few drinks here and there next Thursday could make a massive difference in one player's preparation for a match 48 hours later and may have a dramatic effect on our overall performance against Coventry.

I believe in the professionalism within the squad, though. The players know that they can celebrate all they want at the end of the season if we win promotion and they will deserve to let their hair down. What's good is the belief within the club. Promotion is what everybody wants and we are happy to make any sacrifice to make that dream a reality.

The players know that the next month will shape our destiny and it is a critical time in the season with Coventry and Otley next at Sixways before our trip to Orrell. On a personal note, I'm hoping to be fit for Coventry. The rib injury is feeling better all the time although I'm still feeling pain when I twist. Next Saturday will be four weeks since I picked up the problem so, fingers crossed, I will be OK.

We go into that match on the back of the 18-0 win at Pertemps Bees which is a strange one to call. We went away from Sharmans Cross Road disappointed that we didn't pick up the bonus point but, at the same time, happy that we'd won fairly convincingly. We felt that with all of our possession that we really should have turned that into more points and the gut feeling afterwards was that we'd dropped a point.

In the cold light of day, however, you have to say that it was four points won. It is not the easiest of places to go to for starters. The pitch, the opposition and the bitterness towards Worcester dictates that you are always in for a rough ride. What the team did well was to put all that out of their minds and just play the Bees off the park. We dominated up front and, with a bit of luck in one or two situations, would have scored those extra couple of tries. I thought Craig Gillies was once again outstanding for us in the lineout and also in open play. He is just going from strength to strength this season. Tommy Hayes, despite picking up a hamstring problem on the Friday before the match, was a constant threat to the Bees and he has been a real find for Worcester.

Once again I think it highlights the high standards at the club that we are disappointed with such a victory at our local rivals. Certainly the professionalism at Worcester is top class and that will shine through next week when we get stuck into training. Christmas is a wonderful time of year but I'll swap it for the National One title in April.