I WAS pleased for the players last weekend as they did themselves justice with a good performance.

However, we know that we have to take it up another gear if we are going to compete successfully in the remaining matches of the European competition.

The defence was resolute and the commitment we gave to the tackle area was first class.

What a breath of fresh air the referee was as he allowed the ball to be contested in the tackle situation.

Both sides fought for the ball and made a very good contest out of it. As result there was a little more space for the backs to operate with outside.

Castres are a very fine side and their scrummage is one of the best we will play all year. Having said that, Newport, our opponents this evening in the second pool game of the European Cup, also have an excellent pack.

It is a capacity sell-out at Rodney Parade, which is eleven thousand; it should be quite an atmosphere inside the ground.

Again, I know I keep on saying it, but this is the beauty of such a fine tournament.

Spectators love the games and the cross-border competition, which they bring. Full houses and theatre style drama long may it continue!

Continue with our ability to play with the ball in hand we must this evening. Our game is coming back in small quantities and we must be patient.

The ball should be moved around and the tempo of the game kept high. The Bath players must play for eighty minutes and no less.

We have performed really well for fifty minutes in the previous two games, and then taken our foot of the gas.

Complacency is something the side will not tolerate any longer. They know what they have to do and for how long.

The players will also not tolerate the ill-discipline that seems to be creeping into our game of late. Not only is it a bad reflection on all the team, but it is costing them in terms of performance.

Players have to work extremely hard when an individual gets yellow-carded. The team is in a vulnerable position, and points can be easily conceded.

The club's latest 'sinner' was tight-head prop John Mallett, who received a yellow card for punching. John claimed that he received a blow and retaliated.

Unfortunately for him, he was caught and rightly dispatched to the sideline for a ten minute cool-down period.

The problems this causes to the team are potentially catastrophic.

If a prop is dismissed, another player has to be taken off the field to be replaced by a reserve prop who has to come on for the scrummage.

This is because the front row is a very specialised area and you can't just stick anyone into it for a scrum.

If a second row was to be yellow carded, a back row player can move up to scrummage. If a back row player gets yellow carded, you just manage with one less player in the back row.

It is simple, but if you lose a prop, it is a nightmare.

With last week's episode, open-side flanker Gavin Thomas was not best pleased, because he was the player who had to make way for prop Chris Horsman for ten minutes.

Gavin was annoyed, because he wanted the time to impress the Welsh selectors.

Gavin has the opportunity this evening to impress the Welsh selectors and impress them he must do! We need every player to play to impress if we are to obtain a favourable result.

Newport is a very fine rugby club that has a very strong history. Personally, it is going to be quite emotional, as Newport was the club that helped me on my way.

I have some great memories of the Rodney Parade days but you can be rest assured when I am in the ground there is only one thing that I want. I will not ask you to write the answer on a postcard.

May it be a great evening for all those that have made the short journey across the Severn.