IT was a dismal and dire game, but credit must go to Bristol as they made far fewer mistakes than we did and on that account alone deserved to win the game.

I was dismayed and again horrified by our ineptitude in keeping hold of the ball.

It is disturbing that experienced players keep turning the ball over in the most alarming positions.

We could not build our game because the ball was never in our 'greasy paws' for long enough. The stats for the game were horrendous: in the first half we kept the ball for three phases just once.

It is totally unacceptable and players have to take greater accountability for the ball on the park and be absolutely committed to keeping it.

I am also concerned about the needless penalties that we are giving away. It is costing us matches and valuable points in our campaign to challenge for the league title.

However, this is not entirely the players' fault. The individual interpretation of the officials is quite incomprehensible.

Saturday was again incredulous when it came to awarding penalties. Yes on occasions we were rightly penalised but on other occasions we were committing no worse than the opposition.

Quite frankly it is unacceptable. We have some very good referees in this country, but they need clear directives from the top.

Coaches get the blame for the standard of rugby on the park, rightly so. But someone has to be accountable for the state and interpretation of the officials in our sport.

I ask the question why in the Southern Hemisphere, do the games flow with the decision-making consistent for both sides.

The coaches in the Premiership have to get together and establish the criteria for the referees.

On Wednesday, I had a very constructive meeting with the refs and the other coaches.

Hopefully, there will be more consistency with decisions. That can only be good for the game and good for the spectators who go to watch the game week in week out.

Well done to England. Not many tries, but a great determination to win. It clearly shows that they have some serious strength about them and that they can compete against the best in the world.

I hope they continue with their development as they are on course to challenge strongly for the 2003 World Cup.

That is a long way off for us and I have to think about the immediate future, which are four very tough Premiership games in a month.

Leicester twice, London Irish and Saracens a big month by any standards.

It is about getting our appetite for the ball back in hand and playing a game of rugby with the endeavour that brings results.

If we can get our basics right, I am convinced that we can take control of this competition.

If you are at a lose end tomorrow, our Under-21s are playing Bristol at The Rec. Kick off is 12.30 pm.