We can't afford to look back yet

IT'S the end of a pretty successful year but we can't afford to look back now!

This is a massive time of year for us and we need to make sure we get some results together.

It's such a long season that you can't afford to let yourself reflect.

Every team below us in the table is capable of winning games. We've got to make sure that we stay focused.

It's such a fickle league and there is so little to choose between the top and the bottom.

Everybody looks back and reflects at this time of year. But, for us, Christmas and new year is at the end of May. That's when we will look back and reflect.

Everybody asks me what it is like to be playing rugby at this time of year but it has been nine years since I've had a proper Christmas and it doesn't feel like a particularly big sacrifice to have to make.

As it turned out I had a back problem and wasn't able to play in the Bath game anyway.

It was a massive blow and it looks like I will be struggling for the Newcastle game on New Year's Day.

There is no doubt that the match at Kingston Park will be a really tough game.

When you are playing a team like that you have got to make sure you take the opportunities when you can.

They are a proud club and they've got a load of talent. It will be a massively different challenge to the Bath game but will be just as tough.

They are a totally different side to Bath but we've got to win to keep the pressure on. Newcastle will be desperate to get a good result.

It will be a long journey for us and it will be cold, which just makes winning that little bit harder, so we need a huge focus for that game.

I said before the Bath game that, with the talent they have got, you have to expect them to start winning games and the same is very much true of Newcastle.

In terms of how far we've progressed this season, I think it has been very much a team effort.

I think that, generally, as a team we've progressed. It's been a slow building process. Slowly and surely, we have started to play better rugby.

As a general rule, the squad has come together really well and bought into the principle really well.

That is far more important than four or five players playing really well.

It's the team aspect which is coming through and we are winning close games, which shows the sort of spirit and atmosphere there is in the squad.

The strength in depth within the squad is getting better, which is important because it's a long season and we need them all.

Everybody is looking forward to seeing our two Kiwis, Tom Harding and Mike Maguire, in action.

It is always difficult when you are coming into the side. There are new players and the referees are different from those in New Zealand.

But I don't expect it will take them too long to settle in and I'm sure they will both do well.