It is hugely disappointing for everyone at the club that Joe El Abd has suffered an injury which will keep him out of action for three months.

Joe was performing very well for us and had been doing a good job as captain in difficult circumstances this season.

He has the full respect of all of the boys here and we all wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Joe is passionate about Bristol but he is in the position now where it has been taken out of his hands for three months. Now it is up to the other senior players in the squad, people such as Shaun Perry and myself, to really stand up.

At openside flanker, it is a chance for Redford Pennycook to come in and take the bull by the horns. There is always chat about giving the young players a chance, and now Redford will get his.

It is obviously a big pity that Joe is injured, but at the same time, Jason Hobson is back from injury and that is the way rugby is.

We know we are in for a tough game at Worcester tomorrow, but the guys are totally up for it. Training has been more physical than usual this week and without Joe there, it is up for other guys in the squad to come to the fore and be leaders.

Worcester have brought in some quality players and they have got an owner who adores rugby and has ploughed millions of pounds into the club.

We could do with a few more people like him at Bristol, because although we have got guys like Chris Booy, who have put a lot of money in, we need more of them.

Worcester have been up in the Guinness Premiership for a few years now and they have gradually built, bringing in people like Chris Latham, Rico Gear and Sam Tuitupou.

But we go there believing we can win and we are staying positive. We have to stay positive – and we know one win can take us up to 10th.

I helped my old mate Kyran Bracken out last night by being one of the judges for his ice show at Clevedon. It was my debut in the Simon Cowell role, although I didn't wear high trousers or a chest rug!

But with Kyran doing so well on Dancing On Ice and Matt Dawson and Austin Healey doing the same on Strictly Come Dancing, maybe I will take the chance to show that front-rowers are light on their feet too.

I'm still waiting for the offers, though.