I was once told that the best way to write a newspaper column was to open with something exciting, an introduction to catch the attention, then set up the rest of the piece before building towards a strong finish. The way to structure a great game of rugby is, I suppose, not too dissimilar.

The opening to our international on Saturday was indeed interesting enough for me as I got stuck in the wet and softer ground trying to dig out my ill-chosen short kick-off attempt.

The middle part of the game and, effectively, the real content of the piece, was an up-and-down affair for us. We did spend much of the 80 minutes trailing on the scoreboard, but it felt great to be out there. Not once did any one of us, I’m sure, at any time lose the slightest confidence that we would win the game in the end.

As a squad we have really pulled together. Whether it is during training, matches or even well and truly off the field, there is a buzz about what we are trying to accomplish and how we are going about doing it.

The secret to success in team sport lies in the foundation of trust and respect each member has for one another. This then becomes the springboard for launching game plans, tactics and moments of individual brilliance. There must even be a little room left for the bounce of a ball and a decision or two.

Rugby, for me, has always been the ultimate team sport. It is undoubtedly a fairly brutal one at times and there is never anywhere to hide.

As a child growing up, the lessons I learnt week in and week out playing junior rugby gave me a simple, easily accessible introduction to some helpful values that immediately overlapped into life itself — another important team game.

As I understand it, one fact can and will never change, and that is that every game is won or lost as a team. In the five-year period leading up to and including the World Cup in 2003, I received an unhealthy amount of praise for my performances as a No 10 in a very successful team. It never sat comfortably with me or my acquired beliefs. In a way I struggled not to see it as hugely disrespectful to the other members of the squad who were working tirelessly for the same goal.

I also perceived it as grotesquely unfair to extract one person from an environment that so obviously could not exist or function without all members working together for one another.

For me the plaudits have often come as a result of being the last link in a chain. It was a very strong chain welded together by the efforts of us all. I guess it could be viewed as a sort of extra-complicated relay race that lasts about an hour and a half with the baton being passed to and fro between players constantly and thousands of times in total. Every player is contributing every second, some more than others, depending on where the action is taking place. Whether it be scoring a try, clearing a ruck or just talking to the guy next to you to help him to do his job better, we all carry the baton. If you take out one link in the chain, the play stops there. Sometimes the baton is dropped.

In the same way, we all carry the responsibility for things that do not work out, too. One of the first lessons I received many years ago was that I could always do better and that I could always do more to help someone else. The players in this England team very much understand that principle. This is a real strength.

This recent loss has been enormously disappointing. I think it is because the tight, positive and selfless attitude held by all the players and coaches breeds confidence and true belief. With this on board, we expect our hard work and spirit to write the happy ending for us. Unfortunately this time it was Ireland who added the last lines of the conclusion and they did it very well. We still managed to go straight back up the other end and have one more shot with a massive driving lineout effort, but it wasn’t to be.

In remaining true to my understanding of all things rugby, I now know that how we choose to react to this latest setback will determine how successful we are in the long run. I have no doubt that this team is ready to do whatever it takes and to do it all as one.

Times Online