THESE are difficult and testing times for all involved with Bath Rugby. Last weekend's defeat to London Irish was a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you take into account what was a terrific team performance in defeating Gloucester seven days previously.

The resolve of the squad is being tested at the moment, and we face a mountain of hard work ahead of us if we are going to pull ourselves out of this trough. However, I can assure you all that we are doing every thing that we can to pull through, and pull through we will! I have absolutely no doubt about that. We are a quality side, full of quality players with a quality coaching set up behind us. We therefore must persevere and the hard work will pay dividends.

Michael Foley has already made a massive impact since his arrival following the completion of the Wallabies tour to the British Isles last month. Working alongside JC, he has brought a fresh approach and recent performances, notably against Gloucester and Newcastle in the Premiership, suggest that he is beginning to bring the best out of our forward pack.

However, I feel that we as players let the coaching staff down against the Exiles. It was a below-par performance and one that we were all desperately disappointed about. Whilst it is all too easy to dwell on the past and become embroiled in a debate over what went wrong last Saturday, we must now move forward and make sure that the focus is right to return to winning ways in the Premiership on Sunday against Newcastle Falcons.

Kingston Park is not an easy place to go and play rugby, and our record in the north-east has not been fantastic over recent seasons. However, Bath are traditionally at their most dangerous when backs are against walls, and I'm positive that we will not be found wanting for motivation. We certainly do not want to let either ourselves or JC down again.

With just under half of the season still left to play in the Premiership, our season is by no means over. A top four place and an automatic Heineken Cup place has to be a goal, and with several teams separated by just a few points, anything can happen. We know that we can play some good rugby and it is just a matter of making it all click, then the results will come.

The Falcons are flying high in the Premiership this season and have been playing some good rugby of late. They do have some fantastic players and the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Gary Armstrong and Doddie Weir are all world-class, match-winning players. I feel that the Falcons' most potent threat could come in the shape of Epi Tiaone. The Tongan international winger has just made the switch to flanker and has been a revelation so far. His pace from the base of the scrum makes him a very difficult player to stop, so we will have to try and contain him as best we can.

It promises to be an exciting match, but I do feel that we may have a psychological advantage up front. When we played the Falcons at the Rec in the Premiership last month our forwards were outstanding. They really bossed the game and gave the backs a real platform from which to work. If we can replicate this sort of form then I believe that we are in with a real shout on Sunday.

With Christmas just around the corner I would like to conclude with a brief message for all Bath Rugby supporters. Thank you all for your tremendous support over the past 12 months, in both the highs and lows. Your vocal support really gives the team a real boost home and away. Keep it coming, and please keep the faith.

Wishing you a Happy Christmas. Matt.