Fair play to Saracens, they looked after the ball in contact very well, but we were able to defend our line well. In the second half we created far more scoring chances, but were unable to convert them. I have read a few articles indicating that we did not deserve to win; well frankly it does not matter. We came away with the four points on a day when we did not play as well as we would have liked - that is what counts.

Away from the result, the most worrying aspect of the afternoon was seeing Paul Burke being stretcherd off the pitch having been injured in a tackle. Although the X-rays indicated a very serious injury, we were all delighted to hear late in the evening that the CT scan on Paul's neck revealed bad bruising, but no fracture. In effect, Paul has suffered severe whip lash and is likely to miss the game against London Wasps (22nd February) but should be fit and available for our next game against Leicester Tigers on Friday 19th March.

It was an afternoon where we created one or two injuries of our own. Will Greenwood and George Harder clashed heads with one another and both required stitches, while Andre Vos clashed with Tani Fuga and Tony Diprose and also required stitches to a cut on the inside of his mouth. The other concern was Jim Evans, who dislocated his shoulder. However, the news is good in that Jim has full movement of the shoulder and should be back in action very soon. He was in the Physio room earlier today trying to convince anyone who would care to listen that he will be fit to face Wasps next weekend. We will wait and see!

At the time of writing, we are still waiting to hear from ERC confirmation of the dates and kick-off times for the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-final games against Connacht in April. The issue revolves around a French broadcaster who at the last minute approached ERC with regards to covering the Montferrand Vs Bath game. Until this can be sorted out, and the games are fitted into the television schedule both with the French broadcaster and with Sky, we will have to wait.

Obviously, this in turn will have an impact as to when we will play the Zurich Premiership game against Bath at the beginning of May at the Stoop, which we have been asked to move from the Saturday to avoid clashing with the Army Vs Navy game on the same day.

With no game this weekend, the players have been concentrating on fitness and recuperation from what was a very physical game last Saturday. Although attention has been turning towards Wasps and what is bound to be a fierce contest next Sunday evening at the Causeway Stadium.

On Monday evening we also face Wasps in a Second XV league game at the Stoop; with every likelihood that Simon Miall will make a timely awaited return from the injury he sustained against London Irish back in September.

By winning last Saturday we maintained our position of being just four points behind Northampton who are third, although with us not playing this weekend we may lose some ground to the teams above us.

I hope that you all have an enjoyable weekend watching the Six Nations, or just relaxing, and I look forward to seeing you all supporting the team at the Causeway Stadium next Sunday evening.

Finally, this Saturday is the first anniversary of the sad loss of Nick Duncombe who died while on holiday in Lanzorotte. To his family and friends we send our very best wishes at this difficult time and to Nicky - hope you are not causing too much trouble up there; we are all missing you.