But let's not be too critical, we won a must-win game; but when is a win not a win? When the losing side kick the ball out of play at the end knowing that they'd done enough! That knock-on offside at the end could cost us progression to the next round and thereby prove to be the most expensive decision of the year with the exception of the signing of Tuqiri. We're yet to see the best of the man from a land down under but there is industry and effort from the Aussie winger. What our other players need to learn is that Tuqiri's game is based around the offload out of the tackle. Time-after-time Lote looked to offload but no-one was there. Perhaps a move to 13 might result in more chances to offload.

On the other wing Tuilagi had another ineffective game. The Samoan's main weapon as been nullified, in recent times, by strong opposition tacklers going in low. It would be helpful if he went looking for space instead of contact.

But tis the season of goodwill so enough griping and on with the good news. After a proper mauling last week the forwards stood their ground and in the lineout and scrums were mostly solid and secure. Even the loss of Castro early on didn't dent the stability. Dan Cole has really stepped up recently and is more than capable of replacing the still injured Julian White on a more permanent basis.

What the pack must learn is that against strong opposition you need to protect the ball and ruck until you drop. If the ref had been so inclined at least 3 of our players could have been yellow carded for holding on. You can't blame the ball carrier but when the forwards are out wide cluttering the space there's no-one clearing out and so the dual tacklers in meteorologically appropriate white, hunting in packs like Polar Bears looking for a tasty Seal cub , scrounge for the ball like a teenage boy on a bra strap and the ref rewards the desperation with a relieving blow.... on his whistle. (That's my best Stuart Hall impression, I hope you liked it).

Without the, again injured, Mauger the backs AGAIN looked rudderless out wide. I know they can all play better but they lack some very basic skills. Run straight, draw the man and pass. How difficult is it to score when you have a 3 man overlap. Admittedly the Welford Road pitch is narrower than a Jez Harris boat but this is nothing new. A lot has been said about the lack of pace on the wings but it's irrelevant when they don't get the ball in the right places at the right times.

As ever there were flashes of brilliance. YBY did his best Noah impression and raced through the parting Clermont lineout, snaked for 40 yards turning the defenders inside out before passing to the supporting Allen who dove over the line for a crowd warming score. It's moments like this that make you forgive the odd wayward pass. He's tough this lad and like all the best players seems to have more time on the ball than anyone else. If he can cut out the Ellis-style ‘step and pass' then he could be England's 9 for the next decade or more. Hamilton, in need of a break, was mostly secure under the high ball and the lack of Clermont tries points to a solid defensive effort all round; a massive improvement from last week.

So we levelled up the try count 5-all but the most important score line is 6-4 and that I'm afraid means we probably have to win at the Liberty which will be tough unless we learn the seemingly un-learnable.

Merry Christmas everyone!

*Alfie, if you're reading this I commend your bravery and wish you well in your ‘new' life.

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