IT was really nice to be back playing for Worcester on Saturday after not being involved in club rugby for such a long time.

I wasn't feeling too well for a couple of days leading up to the game but it was great to be back on the pitch.

Now I am very much looking forward to this weekend when we travel to France to take on Albi in the European Challenge Cup.

It has been frustrating not being involved but the break has been really important for me. It has been a hard run of games and I don't doubt it has done me a lot of good to take a breather.

I've had some problems with my shoulder but I am there or thereabouts now and am just desperate to get back playing some rugby again.

As for the performance, it was brilliant we didn't concede any tries. It is never an easy thing to do but defence has really been a focus for us.

Phil Larder has come in and he has been a really big help. All the guys are listening to him and it is nice to see that it is starting to pay off.

We are under no illusions that the side we play on Saturday will be different to the one we have just beaten.

Their side at full strength will be a much tougher proposition and we have to make sure we are ready for the challenge.

This game will also give us a better indication of where we are as a team at the moment.

You never know what you are going to get with French sides. They are likely to make a few changes in personnel and, after watching videos of them, we know they are a very decent side when they have got their strongest team out.

We will have to play very well if we are to keep our run of wins going and make it four out of four.

Winning is the best possible tonic there is and everybody is enjoying their work at the moment. We are all in high spirits and we enjoy getting into work in the morning.

It's the best part of our job when it feels like this and let's hope it continues.

Although everybody is concentrating on the weekend, some of our focus is on the London Irish game which follows. There is a great competition for places in the squad and nobody wants to miss out.

What is important is that we keep this run going so we have got some momentum to take into the Premiership.

But these European games serve another important function. They help to bring on our young players like Will Bowley and I think they show how strong our academy is.

Andrew Stanley and Gary Meechan do a brilliant job and I think our academy is as good as any in the league. I don't think it will be long before we see the fruits of their work.