By Matt Dawson Northampton scrum-half and BBC Sport Online columnist

London Irish showed what a passionate side they are by winning the Powergen Cup. They were determined and aggressive and were blowing us away after 25 minutes.

They managed to clear the rucks and had the advantage in loose play.

Our defence was not as good as it has been lately. We missed a few tackles and you can't do that at this level.

They put together some dangerous moves and racked up the points.

Northampton have not become a bad side overnight.

We let ourselves down to a man on the day, but I'm still very proud that we got to the final.

At the interval we had a constructive plan to make an early second-half onslaught, but things didn't work out. We didn't chase the game until late on.

You really have to tip your hat to the Irish. Today was about them and unfortunately not about us.

It is frustrating though and I was probably a bit out of order shouting and screaming at my team-mates as the situation got worse.

That is no reflection on my relationship with them. It was just my emotions flying.

We all care about winning with Northampton and it is very trying when the opposition stop you playing.

Now we have to concentrate on getting back on track.

We can't stand still and wait for a poor end to the season.

Everyone wants to move on and that means beating Saracens in the Zurich Premiership and moving up the table.