Well, we’ve had a good couple of days since the win over Tonga on Friday night. That’s eight tries in two games against good quality opposition. We know that there’s still plenty to work on, but we are improving all the time and are relishing the prospect of playing Australia in Marseille on Saturday. 

We’ve had a really good open team meeting that gave everyone the opportunity to give their thoughts on what was working well and where we could improve. It was a very positive get together, and so much better to have these sessions when things are on the up rather than a crisis meeting when things are not going so well. 

Two areas we need to improve on are our defence and our work at the breakdown. In terms of defence, we are going to have to be much more aggressive and increase our line speed in getting up to the tackle area. It is going to be crucial to stop the Aussies crossing the gain line. 

We will also have to compete better at the breakdown. In George Smith and Phil Waugh Australia possess two of the best in this phase of the game. Again we are going to have to be quicker and more aggressive than we have been to stop them having a big influence on the game. 

The forward battle, as always, is going to be key. If we can dominate up front it will give us a real edge. But we will have to be clinical and make sure that we take the chances that come our way. 

We have clean bill of health for the squad with the big bonus that Jason Robinson is fit and raring to go; one of the best finishers in the game. 

It’s 2-2 overall in terms of England / Australia games in the World Cup. And while the Aussies will no doubt be looking for revenge after 2003, we are quietly confident that we can get the job done. We have effectively played two knock out rounds against Samoa and Tonga, so we are used to the pressures that that brings. 

There will no doubt be a lot said in the media this week in the build up to the game, but I have to say that we are a pretty experienced bunch and I can’t see anything affecting our preparations. 

Personally, I have been given no indication from Brian Ashton as to whether I will be in the 22 come Saturday. I’d obviously love to be involved, but if I’m not I’ll be right behind the boys, just as will be all those that don’t make the final squad. 

We have had some time to relax following the Tonga game, although for those, me included, who didn’t play on Friday there’s still been training sessions to put in. A number of the squad went to Euro Disney with their families and, from what I hear, had the full red carpet VIP treatment.

As for me, I was with a group that went off shooting. We went with our security guys to a range and were able to blast away with all sorts of weapons, from hand guns, shotguns through to machine guns. I’m not sure anyone was in the Clint Eastwood category, but there was certainly The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – although I won’t say who was who! 

Before I sign off, I must say that I’m genuinely disappointed to see Wales and Ireland get knocked out. I was really hoping that the six nations would be pushing right to the end of the competition. So I suppose it’s up to Scotland, France and ourselves to take it forward. 

Finally, congratulations to the boys at Bristol. I’ve kept in good contact with them while I’ve been with the England squad and it was great to see them notch the first win yesterday.

I have to admit that when I first saw the Rugby World Cup fixtures I did not expect us to have to be worrying about beating Tonga in our final game. I have decided that in this blog I will focus a bit less on the rugby and a bit more on the important bits – where we have been going out.

Carrs Irish bar has really become the unofficial VU Clubhouse out in Paris. It has got a fantastic atmosphere and is a great rugby pub. I suspect they have been serving even more Guinness as the Irish fans have drowned their sorrows.

My VU trips have been doing well in there as well. It is great to have a base in the centre of Paris and Carrs has been the perfect venue. The Rugby World Cup is really a big rugby tour for us and it is important that the social aspect is done properly. I put a lot of dedicated research into that side of things. I came across Carrs, which is not far from the Louvre (bit of culture there), when I was in Paris for a Six Nations weekend. I needed to find somewhere to watch the Sunday fixture on the TV and it has been base camp in Paris for me and VU clients ever since.

The other place in Paris which has become like a second home over the last few weeks is a fantastic club called VIP Rooms on the Champs-Elysees. It reminds me of one of my favourite London clubs Chinawhites although it is in France so perhaps a tiny bit more classy. During the tournament we have had some big nights in VIP, it is not hard when you are among the beautiful people of Paris and Bath.

Last weekend Irish legend Paul Wallace kept insisting that I stayed out with him – he was probably trying to forget his team’s performance. Every time I suggested I might turn in he said we had to have another drink. I did not roll out of the club until 6am.

The club is known to entertain notable celebrities including Richard Branson, Robbie Williams and in the last couple of weeks Austin Healey and Matt Dawson (not quite world class celebrities those two). It is always good to catch up with those boys and I expect we will have one or two more drinks in Carrs and VIP before the end of the tournament.

Fingers crossed for the game and one thing is for sure we will remember this world cup for the excellent nights out even if England’s campaign does ultimately end in defeat.

It is obviously a different sort of build up for me this week as I am not in the squad for Friday’s game against Tonga. Of course I would like to be involved but I am confidet that we will get through the game and I will be back for the quarters.

Brian Ashton took me to one side before the squad was announced and said he was going to bring Lee Mears onto the bench. He said Lee was the only member of the squad not to have been involved so far and he was coming in. It was also clear that it was not the end of the tournament for me and I am looking forward to seeing more action in this World Cup.

Dropping out means extra training and it has been a lot of hard work. My least favourite piece of gym equipment is the rowing machine – it makes me feel sea sick just looking at it – so I will be glad when I am back in the 22.

Matt Stevens has been playing really well at prop but like many people I did expect Phil to get back into the team as captain. However I am sure he will still get on the pitch and he will be eased back into the tournament gradually.

We are still very positive after the win against Samoa and feel like we have turned a corner but you are only as good as your last game, and we don’t want the match with Tonga to be that. The Tongans have been the surprise package in this tournament. They beat Samoa so we know we have got to raise our game again.

Paul Sackey did brilliantly and showed his club form at international level for the first time. His finishing was excellent; everyone else will do the hard work for him! Although Sackey looks like he has an appetite for rugby his appetite for French food is not so good. We all went out for a meal the other night and Sackey avoided all the beautiful fish and chicken dishes and asked for a burger instead. He really is the fussiest eater I know. When I heard what he was asking for I also arranged for the waiters to get him some crayons and paper to go with his kids meal. They even managed to find him some ketchup – I bet the French chef wanted to throw knives at him. Yesterday we went out for lunch and before our flying winger had a chance to get his order in I had got the waiters to get him a kid’s meal of alphabetti spaghetti. Of course he really enjoyed it.

Time to answer a few of the questions on the last blog. I don’t mind other teams doing the Haka. Rugby is a spectator sport and I am sure those coming to the games love to see the Haka. I actually use the power of what they are doing as a focus for my own energy. The whole routine actually gives me a boost.

I have only just read that Latham is meant to be coming to the Memorial Stadium. I suspect it is just a rumour and the same story could have been written about any number of clubs. I have heard enough rumours to know that you should never bank on a player coming to a particular team until they have pulled on the jersey for the first time.

I have just had a game of pool with Phil Vickery. I won’t tell you the result but I am Premiership quality and he is Vauxhall Conference. Enjoy the game on Friday.