A big, big welcome today to London Irish and their supporters. Irish have a unique record having won at Franklin’s Gardens on their last three visits here. Something no other club has done in the professional era. Having said that, they then went and lost all three home games to us. Very Irish. 

Our players are up for this one and we are beginning to play some good rugby, scoring 10 tries in the last three games at Gloucester and Worcester away and Newport-Gwent at home. I am sure it is going to be a fast and furious game with plenty of tries and action. Hang on to your seats.

It was good to see a large crowd here on Monday night for our second team game against Newcastle Falcons. We won comfortably and are now second in the Guinness A League. The next game here is on Monday night, October 17 versus Leeds Tykes. I like the atmosphere on these Wanderers evenings, everyone crams into the Tetley Stand, it is free to season ticket holders and you have the chance to watch some of our youngsters playing and mingle with the first XV, usually also in the crowd. Come on down and join the party!

Congratulations to my wife, her sister and all of the fans who are doing the sponsored walk this morning to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation. The walk is from Milton Keynes to the ground following the Grand Union Canal, some 14 miles in all. This is organised by the loveable geeks who run the comeonyousaints.com unofficial website. In 2004, it raised £20,000. I did the walk last year but unfortunately have to go to a meeting this morning (who says I can’t organise things!)

I need to ask you for a special favour. Bluntly, we need to take as many fans as we can to Welford Road for a final group game of the Powergen Cup tournament on December 3. This could be a great match and more tickets will be available than usual. This competition is not very fairly organised, with two teams and we are one, only having a single home game and two teams, Leicester are one having two home games. Not only does this rob us of £200,000 of gate money but it gives us an unfair disadvantage. For once, I can’t blame the RFU. The clubs organised this competition. It would help to take a few thousand Saints supporters along to even things up. The winner of this match will be in the semi-final at the Millennium Stadium. The final is at Twickenham. So, come on all you Saints! This is also our first opportunity to qualify for next year’s Heineken Cup.

Next week sees the start of our European adventures with a home game against Viadana. A game we must win in style if we are going to progress in this competition.

We may be bottom but one in the Guinness Premiership, however, in all competitions this year opportunities exist for us to do well. Keep behind the boys. Keep shouting and keep smiling.