RUGBY is such a difficult game to play because there are so many juxtapositions - you have to be agressive and confrontational but, at the same time, you have to be very disciplined.

We need to find the balance between the two, which is very difficult to do in a pressure situation. Our defeat to Harlequins was incredibly frustrating as we started the game pretty well and played at a great intensity.

In fact, that was the most frustrating thing about it, because the first 20 minutes of the game were probably the most intense we've played this season.

There were some really big hits going in, but we gave so many penalties away, we didn't give ourselves a chance.

Because of that we struggled to get good field position which affected our discipline and we ended up getting players sin-binned.

Referee Wayne Barnes has been to Sixways this week to have a look at the Quins match video and give us a greater understanding of what we can and can't do - clearly we don't want to be giving away so many penalties.

Obviously, we all know the laws, but it is how the referees are asked to interpret them. Wayne has been going through the penalties we conceded, explaining how referees interpret what's going on and what decision they are likely to favour.

It is still very frustrating when we watch the video, though, because the calls are so marginal and we feel they've not been going our way. Wayne said he could understand why the penalties were given, but admitted a lot of them were marginal decisions.

Tony Windo played against Quins and he brings huge experience to the side. He is a great leader and is very confrontational which inspires the boys.

Having someone like him in the side who has seen and done it all helps. He played pretty well at The Stoop and, although he needs a few games to get his match fitness back, he can be an important player for us.

Another front row man, Tevita Taumoepeau, showed his loyalty to the club recently by signing a new contract. Obviously we want to keep all the quality players at the club and Tevita is certainly one of those.

It has been very difficult for the half-backs when we are under pressure and I do feel sorry for them. They are pivotal to what happens in a game, but they are hugely effected by what happens in front of them.

Therefore, as a back row and a pack in general, we have to make sure we deliver and it will be a big test against a very physical London Irish side at Sixways tomorrow night.

We all want to win matches and it is so frustrating because we know we have the talent and potential in our squad to do well.

What is very evident is that the difference between winning and losing is very small and to have our fans behind us can give us the extra one per cent that makes the difference.

It is massively important to us to have passionate fans and we are very lucky to have such loyal supporters.

Our fans are fairly level and they wait for the opportunity to get behind us, but we have not been giving them that opportunity enough recently.

However, we are still battling away in two competitions and we could qualify for next year's Heineken Cup. If we manage that - and stay up obviously - it would be the best season we've ever had, so there is still masses to play for.