A big welcome to our friends from Toulouse. They are a brilliant team and are, as always, there or there about in European rugby. We need to really fire on all cylinders today because it will be more difficult next weekend when we go to France. Talking of that, we have over 1,000 fans going to Toulouse on what I expect will be a brilliant weekend. I am looking forward to having a few bottles of good French wine, but I think I’ll give the local dish of cassoulet (fatty pork and beans) a miss this year. The players and I look forward to meeting up with you after the game and having a drink together.  Wayne Smith is also coming along so there will be a chance to catch up.

After these back to back games with Toulouse we return to the Gardens to play Bedford in the Powergen. This is a massive local derby. I think the blues have several former Northampton players including Matt Stewart, Matt Volland, Ali Hepher, Ian Vass, Dom Malone and the mighty JP, not to mention Matt Allen and Craig Moir. Bedford expect to bring 3,000 supporters, so make sure you get your tickets now.

I am sorry we are throwing you out of the Rodber Bar a little early this evening. We need to get the place cleaned up and ready for the Christmas parties we have booked up for the whole of December. As a consolation, we are having a happy hour in all of the other bars. I know this is a bit of a pain, but do understand we are borrowing £3 million to extend the South Stand for next season and we have to use our facilities to the full to enable us to pay the bank back.

This is a great club with great supporters and a great history. I know the coaches and the players will give off their best. Steve Thompson, Ben Cohen, Tom Smith and Chris Hyndman all travelled to Newcastle last week to show their support for the team even though they weren’t playing. Corne, Selborne, Tucks and Foxy are all chomping at the bit. None of the players will take a backward step, please get behind them over the next few weeks.  We will get through this together.