THROUGHOUT this season I have been writing about how we have been working hard and making progress but rugby is a results business – and what better way to give our campaign a boost than by winning with a bonus point in France.

We have underperformed in the Guinness Pro12 so far but we weren't at panic stations and knew that things could have been so different if we had sneaked victories against Connacht and the Ospreys instead of suffering narrow defeats.

Keeping a positive mental attitude and having belief in ourselves was vital and enabled us to secure a brilliant 38-22 win at Stade Francais in our European Rugby Challenge Cup opener.

It's given us a massive confidence boost and now we need to follow up with another win against Newcastle at Rodney Parade this evening.

Once again our preparation in the week before Stade was good but some things are out of your control – such as our flight being delayed for three hours thanks to a bird flying into an engine.

That meant we didn't have time for a team run at Stade Jean Bouin, depriving us the chance to dot the Is and cross the Ts and familiarise ourselves with what was one of the best stadiums that I have ever played in.

I think it speaks volumes for the team that we didn't let that or an early injury to Andrew Coombs (leaving us with Rynard Landman as our only specialist lock) knock us off our stride.

The positive mindset and simple strategy of patiently keeping hold of the ball in attack earned the win... that and Angus O'Brien bringing his kicking boots.

He ran the show fantastically well, putting us in the right places at the right time, and helped himself to 18 points.

Angus kicked brilliantly and that's one advantage of the change of competition because the Gilbert balls that are used in European competition are always popular with the kickers.

It was great to see another Caerleon boy do well and follow in the footsteps of Ashley Smith – Matt Evans' department at the Comprehensive School seem to have a conveyor belt of young backs with Angus, Tyler Morgan and Ashton Hewitt coming through.

Angus' performance has put the pressure on Jason Tovey, who will have to respond. We've always had strength and depth in the back row and it's good to see that sort of competition elsewhere.

After some minor celebrations it was nice to get home to my parents' place in Stow Hill for some nice home-cooked food (especially the crumble dessert) followed by essential pool recovery at the Parkway, my regular relaxation venue.

It's been a quick turnaround because our game was late on Saturday night, we travelled back on the Sunday and were back in for training in Ystrad Mynach on Monday.

But after a great win we can't wait to get back to Rodney Parade for what will be a tough game against Newcastle.

Like all English teams they have a decent pack and if you allow them to have front-foot ball they will do some damage.

But we just have to make sure our own house is in order and, just like in Paris, be positive.

If we can produce another big performance to get another win then we will give ourselves a great chance of progressing into the quarter-finals and we are determined to give you plenty to cheer.