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Have you recovered? I won’t deny that Saturday was the most emotional I have been at the end of a game. To beat France in the Rugby World Cup Semi-Final at the Stade de France was incredible. Everything that has gone on in the build up to the tournament and in the group stages just made this win even sweeter. It might have looked like I was crying at the end, but I think I just had something in my eye. Emotion can be a good thing and I think we have used it as a squad all the way. Of course I was part of the squad in 2003 but I have played a much more active role in this campaign making it extra special.

People have been talking about the moments of the game. Josh’s early try, Joe’s tap tackle or Jonny’s kicks. Of course the true rugby expert will see my charge down as the moment that changed the game! It hit me square in the belly. I have had a few people say they have never seen me run so fast and I really did enjoy that moment.

A lot of people ask me what I say during the game, and I can assure you that I have not stopped talking to the opposition. However I think a few of the French front row were finding it hard to understand me at the weekend.

I knew we had won it when we went four points ahead. Our defence has been so solid and there was no way we were going to let them over for a try in those last few minutes. Defence wins games and a lot of credit must go to our coach Mike Ford for the way we are keeping the tries out.

When we got back to the changing room it was time for a bit of Kenny Rogers, line dancing and karaoke. Talking of changing rooms another great move for us was winning the toss which gave us the home changing room at the Stade de France. When we walked past the away team’s changing room I knew that the French would not enjoy being in there away from their comfort zone. It gave us another edge along with the fantastic support both within the stadium and throughout the whole city.

We have always believed we will do well in the Rugby World Cup even when everyone else has doubted us. Our mottos are ‘Not Without a Fight’ and ‘Shock The World’. Right now we are doing both – and more. A strong motivation was that we did not want to be playing on Friday for a bronze medal. Some might have seen that as a successful tournament but we are defending champions and success for us will be to win it.

This England squad has become like a club team. There are no cliques, no them and us and no back biting. We have bonded like a club team and I suppose a lot of that is down to the criticism we have faced. We have faced that head on as a team and so far we have come out on top.

There is no need for really hard training now. Today is a day off, tomorrow will be some walkthroughs and lineout work, Wednesday is some more physical work including scrummaging, Thursday is another day off, Friday is a bit more light work and then it is time for THE game on Saturday.

I will talk a bit more about the Springboks in a post later this week but one thing is for sure this is not the same England team they played a month ago.

I caught up with Victor and the VU lot for lunch on Sunday in Paris and it was great to have a chat will real rugby fans. It was fantastic to see so many of his clients were really having the trip of a lifetime. People like Victor should be paying us more to keep winning which is keeping their clients happy.

Thanks again for all your support – and sorry I can’t get you extra tickets for the Rugby World Cup Final, I only get four myself!