A SUPERB performance from all concerned this week.

No not just in the 12-9 derby win over Gloucester but by David Barnes, who ousted me from my customary role of Santa at our kids' Christmas party at the club on Tuesday.

My fellow prop stepped in to do the honours with both Mark Gabey and Mark Regan as the elves and performed so well that I feel he will be in the hotseat for many years to come.

There seems to be something of a tradition at this club for members of the front row donning the festive outfit.

It always used to be Gareth Chilcott in the red and white kit and I believe Victor Ubogu may have made the odd appearance on a couple of occasions, although in Victor's case I'm sure his Father Christmas outfit was made by Versace!

Activities like these are part and parcel of a player's duties these days and our roles off the training field are included in our contracts.

It's about getting us involved in the business side of the club and I actually quite enjoy meeting people outside of rugby.

It's always good to know what people do with proper jobs!

Back on the field, the Gloucester victory was another step in the right direction for us but there's no question of taking the foot off the gas because it's a cup game this Saturday.

To the players, the London Irish match feels like another league game and it's one we need to win.

I've played in a couple of cup finals for Bath and they were fantastic days.

In recent seasons when we've lost out in the early rounds, the supporters have been very disappointed to have lost out on their day at Twickenham in May.

There are a few out there with fond memories of their visits to Twickenham and quite a few that won't be able to remember much about them at all!

It was a little consolation for them when we reached the Premiership Grand Final last season, but the cup is an important part of this club's history and we want to get that back.

It was very much part of the success story of this club and to lose against Gloucester at the first stage of the competition last year was very disappointing.

Any player involved in the game wants to win trophies and the opportunity is there but there's an awful long way to go before we can start thinking about that.

It only seems like the other day that we were preparing to face London Irish in the league but this game promises to be slightly different.

Both they and us will have their international players and Irish will especially look forward to having Barry Everitt back because he is such a key player for them.

Irish play a very structured game and are almost mechanical in how they approach it.

They came here expecting to beat us in the league and, although they missed out 19-11 then, they will be wanting to make amends.

For us, Monday morning was a bit easier after beating Gloucester.

The boys sleep a bit better knowing they have had a good win and it makes it easier to come in positive ready for training.

There were smiles all round and that's also true in Bath where the atmosphere is lifted and the players will pick up on that.

It's why they enjoy living and working here. They can walk around and people will come up to them and talk about the game.

That's very important to the club and it's a lot easier than when we lose!