We've come to the end of a very tough spell for England in the Autumn Series and it's important that we ask ourselves the question: What lessons we can take from the disappointments of the last three weeks?
"Execution" is a buzzword you hear from loads of rugby players these days, and with good reason. At any level, and in any sport, it's important to take your chances, but it's particularly true of international rugby.
Being clinical is everything. It's all well and good keeping the ball for long periods and having your opponent on the back foot. But when you get in their 22, you have to get points on the board. That's what England failed to do and that's why we struggled.
And why couldn't we keep the scoreboard ticking over? I think there are a number of factors, but throughout the whole team we need to implement the game plan better in the tackle area. Protecting the ball and recycling it means we can stretch defences and get over the opposition try-line.
The game against the All Blacks last Saturday was frustrating, but I was chatting to All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu after the match and what he said was pretty encouraging. He believes that England will become a much stronger side having gone through a series of results like this.
As much as it hurts to play in front of a passionate Twickenham crowd and get beaten, I know he's right. These experiences will spur us on to improve both individually and as a unit.
The coaching staff have been taking some flak in the press but I don't think it's any use blaming them. The team are fully behind the coaches and what they are trying to achieve. The players have had plenty of input too into how we play and we all have to take responsibility.
It's been a common theme over the past few weeks but it happens to be true: What we need is time to work together before people can really judge us. Unfortunately losing games, as well as winning them, is part of our development.
Another thing about the Autumn series is that playing a succession of games of that intensity is very unusual. I loved being with England but five weeks was a long time to be in the camp and it's good to be back with Quins ahead of what is possibly one of the biggest games in the club's history against Stade Francais.
I spent Monday watching some videos of the French side, who we face in the Heineken Cup on Saturday at Stade de France. So later this week we'll be off to France and another big challenge. Find out how Quins got on in my exclusive itv.com blog next week.
Cheers
DC
