AFTER 22 league games we have managed to achieve a lot in the Championship. Following the victory at Birmingham and Solihull, we managed to break the ton and finish 19 points clear of our nearest rivals. We know, however, it is very much a job half done.

Our focus now turns to the business end of the season and the biggest nine games this squad will face. Our playoff fait has been decided and, as far as we are concerned, pre-season is nearly over.

The next 13 weeks will be about ramping up every aspect we control to the next level.

This process is well on its way and Monday saw the entire squad put through our paces with fitness testing and fat testing.

It is good to see that the plans put in place are working with the average fat percentage dropping once again.

There were some huge improvements with regards to our fitness testing, which means we will be able to cover more metres on the pitch during a match. To sum up, we are fitter and leaner than ever!

We were put through our paces at Damson Park on Saturday by a hugely spirited Bees side. The conditions were a bit of a leveller but we are disappointed with how many times we turned the ball over and made mistakes.

Our forwards put in a huge effort to step up and carry the ball all afternoon. Matt Kvesic set the standards and showed the rest how to take the ball into contact and recycle it efficiently.

He had a superb game and stole some headlines from his England Under 20s star Andy Short, which makes a change! Andy, incidentally, also had a good game.

The Bees will be happy with the effort they put in and how they played in general.

They will go into their relegation play-off group three confident of pulling off another escape. We wish them well and hope they manage to save their Championship status.

Saturday also provided some vital game time for both myself and Matt Mullan (inset). I was pleased to get through 50 minutes in one piece and Matt continues to put game time in the bank.

He came through well once again and I am sure he will force his way back very soon.

The guys are back in action this evening taking on a strong Army side at Sixways.

With the play-offs close around the corner, it’s a good platform for people to put themselves strongly in contention for a starting spot. I think we will be in for some exciting running rugby, I know the boys will be wanting to score some good tries.

We welcome back Cornish Pirates to Sixways for the British & Irish Cup encounter on Saturday. I have no doubt both sides will see this as a potential to earn bragging rights for when we undoubtedly meet again.

We need to perform for 80 minutes and raise our intensity from the London Welsh game. We are a different side to the one they faced down at Westholme and we are very keen to show it.

There promises to be some exciting rugby against two tough opponents this week at Sixways.

Then, just to top it all off, the internationals will be gracing the hallowed turf for what promises to be a great day of rugby in ‘Super Sunday’.