Some structures didn’t function as we intended, some systems didn’t work exactly as we had planned… however, overall, the first Aviva Premiership match at Allianz Park unfolded as a great success. It was fun… people smiled as they arrived, and they were still smiling when they left.

The team ran into a wall of unimagined noise when they took the field and, carried along for the full 80 minutes, they produced the performance and the bonus-point win craved by all.

Plenty of work lies ahead. The countdown to our next home match, against London Welsh on Sunday March 3, has already begun, and our systems and structures will improve.

To all our supporters, thank you for your patience and understanding.

It feels so good to be home.