We arrive at this game having scored 20 tries in five games which is huge credit to how the players want to approach playing the great game of rugby. As you will know, the Wanderers are exhibiting the same values with excellent form and again put seven tries past a good Saracens second team on Monday night. What we do have a problem with is that less than ambitious teams are now playing even less rugby against us and are managing to get a win. Whether that is the way to winning rugby for England I do not know. But I am slightly concerned with the help these teams seem to be getting from refereeing and interpretations of the law.    

Also something that is troubling me is the easy shots that other director of rugby and chief executives seem to feel necessary to aim at us. Maybe its because they feel that is the only way to try and destabilise what we are building here or maybe they have nothing better to moan about. Either way it doesn’t weaken us; it makes us stronger and more determined to prove those doubters wrong.

All our players are Northampton wherever they originate from and feel a part of this town. As a team, they have tremendous spirit and a great thirst for knowledge and I know it is only a matter of time before all the coaches and players’ hard work pays off.

You will all play a massive part on this special remembrance game. You have been magnificent in your support and appreciation for entertaining and intelligent rugby and you certainly make a big difference to the team and how it performs. There was no doubt that without you last week at Saracens that stadium would have had no atmosphere whatsoever.

As I have mentioned previously this is always a special match and because of the great tradition of this club we will mark it with all of our respect and pay homage to those who have fallen before us. Please be upstanding and incredibly vocal for what I believe will be a great match.

Come on you strolling minstrels, oops Jimmies!!