While I’m pleased to see the back of winter, I am also a little apprehensive about the hiding my knees will now take until the end of the season. Once described by a doctor as having ‘the knees of a twelve-year-old girl’, they are a constant source of amusement to everyone in the changing room as my teammates struggle to believe the size and knobbliness of them.

As was evident in the changing rooms after our narrow loss to Quins, several boys have suffered this fate and now face months of jeans and bed sheets stuck to their knees.

Last week I was asked to interview the three Academy coaches, Declan Danaher, Paul Hodgson and Nick Kennedy for an article in the next London Irish supporters magazine. Tasked with turning the Academy back into a production line of future England internationals, as it was five years ago, I don’t think the club could have found three better men for the job. With over 700 London Irish appearances, a Heineken Cup and 15 England caps between them there aren’t many better mentors an Academy player could wish to have. It was evident to see the three of them are relishing their new roles and determined to make the Academy one of the best in the country. Dec even stated his ambition of one day fielding an entire team of Academy graduates.

One Academy graduate who is starting to steal the headlines is Tom Fowlie. At 19, weighing 100kg and close to topping the strength and speed charts, he’s had a few of the senior players, myself included, looking over our shoulders! Having started the last four games, he’s gone from strength to strength with his try at the weekend showing exactly what he’s capable of. Keep an eye on him as he’s got an exciting future ahead!

With the LV= Cup semis and final taking place over the next fortnight, for those teams not involved it provides the first weekends without a game since August and a chance to rest and hopefully heal some of the niggles picked up over the last six months. I will be swapping my rugby boots for a squash racket as I look for a little change of scenery. The next game is the most anticipated of the season, the St Patrick’s Party. Any of you at a loose end on the March 28, come down to the Madejski and join in the party!