The Mark Regan column:

Losing to London Irish on Sunday after conceding an interception try was gut-wrenching.

Irish didn't touch the ball much in the second half – but this is the way it goes when you are bottom of the table. The luck did not swing our way.

We had dragged ourselves into match and the performance shows we are improving as a team.

Our set piece is getting a lot better, and the stats prove that.

I am not involved in Bristol Rugby's European Challenge Cup match at Northampton tomorrow. I will be with Clifton, who are six points clear at the top of South West One. They are playing away to Cleve, and that's good for me as the ground is virtually next to my house. I am looking forward to the game.

Bristol plan to start with several youngsters at Northampton but this is their opportunity to prove themselves. They have been knocking on the door for a while now.

Head coach Richard Hill is laying down the gauntlet to the likes of Dave Attwood and James Phillips. It is up them to show Hilly what they can do.

I was at Wembley this week and came on as a replacement for the Barbarians against Australia but, as I predicted, this was a proper Test match.

It was full on and the Baa-Baas were never going to lie down.

The Wallabies were the better organised side, as they have been together for six matches now. We only had two training sessions together, but I wouldn't say the Aussies were better players.

Australia won 18-11 and there were times when the Barbarians, who are renowned for running with the ball, kicked penalties through the uprights.

That was the right decision. We were 13-0 down and we needed to get something on the scoreboard. I agreed with Baa-Baas' captain John Smit's decision.

We had to be direct because we were trying to win. No-one wants to go out there and let themselves down. Everything had to be sensible and proper as we were in a Test match.

It was wonderful for me to be involved in a game with players I have come up against in World Cup knock-out games, including last year's final against South Africa. I have made some good friends.

My room-mate was Springbok back-row forward Schalk Burger. He is a great bloke, but boy is he scruffy and untidy.

The room was like a bomb site. Schalk's South Africa kit and the rest of his stuff were all over the place. He also has size 15 feet. He is very similar to Bristol hooker David Blaney – but three times bigger.