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I have too be honest when I say we were disappointed with the performance against USA yesterday.  Perhaps we did not get out of first gear – but we have won and it is time to move on.

We know we have got to up the tempo against the South Africans. It will be a question of upping our game both mentally and physically. But we are more than confident we can do that. Confidence is so important, and we are certainly going to be positive going into Friday’s match.

It could be worse we could be like the French. The Pumas, and now the Americans, have played like typical underdogs with nothing to lose. For the Americans the game against us was their World Cup final. At the end of it all we have come away with a win, unlike the French who are now under huge pressure.

There is a lot to work on this week and there is a real focus throughout the squad. We have got something to improve on and the chance to put a lot right.

I am glad the first game is out of the way, I think we were more aware than anyone that the Americans were a good rugby team. The South Africans are a different challenge but I am sure that as a team we can take them on and certainly put in a better performance.

We will find out on Tuesday what the team for Friday will be. Of course I am desperate to play as this is just the best place to be for any rugby player. There was great English support in Lens and we want everyone to remain behind us. All the boys will be raising their game knowing that Victor will be in Paris with all his important clients!

After the game we travelled straight to Paris on a high speed double decker train. We covered about 500 miles in about an hour and a half which was fantastic and put our trains to shame. Sometimes it takes me longer than that to get between Bath and Bristol.

Keep with us, because I promise you we will be doing everything we can to win on Friday.

*Mark Regan was speaking to VU Ltd for his RWC 07 blog. Look out for regular columns from inside the England camp during the tournament.

Well my World Cup campaign got off to a bit of a sleepy start thanks to a few papers deciding that their picture of the day was one of me letting off a big yawn before I got on the plane.

I have had a bit of mickey taking from other members of the team, but I can say here and now that I did not fall asleep on the plane! I know how the Queen feels now with every facial expression photographed. I am just glad I was not picking my nose.

At least it did not harm my chances of getting in the team and I was really chuffed to be named as a starter for Saturday’s game against USA. The whole squad were in the room at our Versailles HQ and I had no idea who it would be until the flip chart was revealed and my name was up there. It is a real heart in the mouth moment and I could not be more pleased. The first player to congratulate me was fellow hooker Lee Mears which really shows what a close squad we are.

I suspect there will be a lot of interest in Jonny not being fit for selection. Of course he is an important player but I am sure Olly can step up to the plate in the number 10 shirt. Olly put in a fantastic performance against France and I am sure he can do it again. We are a squad and we can’t waste energy worrying about who is injured and who is fit.

There is no problem being seen as underdogs for the tournament, I think it helps our performance. However, on Saturday we will be seen as favourites to beat USA in Lens. We take any team we play seriously and the Americans have some big and experienced players. We prepare for this game in the same way we prepare for games against the likes of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Their lock Luke Gross is 6’ 9” and the tallest player in the tournament. He is also only an ‘r’ away from being a member of the band Bros (you need pop trivia knowledge here). I will say it again – they cannot and will not be underestimated by us, and we are ready for a tough encounter.

 Now let’s put that yawning story to rest!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned since I got involved in the hospitality business, it’s that preparation is all. You’ve got to do your homework to make sure that everything runs smoothly.

For sporting events, clients want you to do more than lay on tickets. If they’re not local, they want you to act as their guide to a strange, new environment. So, I’ve been taking the strain ahead of Saturday’s big kick-off. Well, kind of…

A couple of weeks ago, I headed off with my laptop to a wonderful coffee and cake shop in the centre of Lens to soak up the atmosphere in the town which will stage England’s opening match in the World Cup. 

The cafe was well worth a visit and absolutely knocks spots off Starbucks. The food was not only first-class but gave you a sense of what Lens is all about. It’s got real character, more so than parts of Paris which are better known but have less heart. 

Lens is really small and quite working class. All its history seems to revolve around the coal mines which still dominate the landscape and mentality. If you’ve never been there before, let me give you an idea of what I mean.  

The stadium where England will take on the USA this weekend is named after the guy who was commercial director of the local mine. Even in the coffee shops, you can’t escape coal. I ate a chocolate made with a plant which is grown on the slag heaps just outside of town! All in the name of research, you understand! 

There I was with chocolate all over my face in a town which was a sea of blood and orange– long before beered-up rugby fans arrived. They’re the colours of the local football team, Racing Club Lens, in whose Felix Bollaert Stadium England start their Rugby World Cup campaign. Let’s hope Lens’ early form isn’t a bad omen. They’re next to bottom of the First Division having played five games and lost three!

If you read some of the English press, of course, you’d believe the omens are not too good for England anyway. My old team-mate, Lawrence Dallaglio, is apparently saying that we’ve not prepared properly while Andy Robinson, who’s not necessarily the best judge of form, is predicting that we’ll only make the semis. 

I’ve always thought that preparation is key but luck also plays a big part in tournament and no-one really knows what’s going to happen. A fumbled pass, a drop goal or an injury can quickly change the outcome of matches. 

I suppose, however, that losing on Saturday wouldn’t bode well for our chances. We need to finish above South Africa in the group (a tough task in itself!) to avoid Australia in the quarters. 

Mind you, if England do get turned over, fans can learn from my favourite experience of Lens. I took a 10-minute walk from the coffee shop down the Boulevard Emile Basly and the Avenue Alfred Maes, hung a left onto the Route d’Arras and through the doors of the Brasserie Saint-Germain to try some of its fantastic beers. All in the name of research, you understand! 

Allez les blancs!!