It has been a massive turnaround. Five months ago I didn't know where I stood or where my rugby was going.

I'm hoping the swelling will go down a bit before tomorrow but it doesn't feel too bad.

I think a few of the Blues boys didn't like it and half of it got pulled out in the game so I had to take it out.

The first couple was always that pressure and that anxiety and whether you are good enough at this level, and I think I performed well enough to be confident coming into this weekend.

Anyone who worked with Michael knows what a great room-jarring laugh he had. He was your best audience for anything remotely funny.

He got around to everyone during the week and that's when he told me anyway and he went around to everyone individually and spoke to everyone.