Steve Thompson's Blog by Steve_Thompson

I’m writing to you from my room at Pennyhill Park and I must admit I'm feeling a little low after losing the game against the All Blacks last weekend. We had a great chance to beat them and we didn’t take it and the worst thing is, we all know it. The crowd at Twickenham on Saturday was amazing. I could hear "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" being sung while the New Zealanders were doing the Haka. We just got caught cold in the first 20 minutes. On Sunday, I was able to go back to Northampton and spend sometime with my little one. That always helps me take my mind off rugby, especially when you've lost.

I’ve been dropped for the next match, which is always hard to take. Mind you Dylan Hartley did well when he came on at Twickenham, so I just have to do the same this weekend against Australia. This is a good group of players. The talk after the match was all about raising our game and moving forward. We have some very talented players, who are really starting to gel as team. And I’m really enjoying being part of what is coming together here.

Last week, Tag Heuer Watches became a partner of the RFU. They have come up with the 50 cap club. That means anyone over 50 caps gets presented with a watch, engraved with their name and the date they won their 50th cap. I feel very privileged and lucky to be part of that club. This week has been easy to train. As the boys are so disappointed with last week, they just want to get out there and put it right. Wish us luck against the Aussies and have a great weekend. Tommo.