Ongoing Playground Fight

I see the PRA are trying to don the Ref's shirt and adjudicate in the fight between the RFU and the clubs, as an unbiased third party!
Interesting! sadly they can not be anywhere near unbiased, as for a start they are in business with the RFU on the Hospitality side! They are also highly beholdant to the RFU for that Hospitality deal, as without going into too much detail, they did not manage to deliver their part of the deal, and the RFU covered them for it!!!
So you can not call them unbiased!!!
So the saga continues, and what disapoints me the most is that there is no one with the stature, or balls, to stand up and sort this pathetic mess out.
As I said in my piece on Club V Country, it is not a highly complicated deal that needs to be done, and there is no doubt that there are idiots on both sides that do not want to sort it out, but surely, surely, there is someone who has the desire and character to smack some heads together and sort it out!
I was hoping that Rob Andrew might be the man. I am still hoping, although with slightly less conviction as the sordid episode is allowed to run and run.
Mabe on the lighter side, we could have another intelligent outburst from a front row forward to look forward to!!!!

Kicking Game

OK, I completed the game in 38.9 seconds! You only have to complete level 7, so come on Mike P, and others!!

Kicking Game

Can anyone get past level 7???!!!
Leinsterfan, come on..... how far can you get??!!

Club V Country

v




On the prompting of Chris, and Syd Millar, here are my views on the Club V Country debate!
Firstly I thought it was incredibly inappropriate for the head of the IRB to make such an outburst, especially considering it's content! How one sided, how ill informed, how amateur!
Maybe a balanced opinion, outlining both sides of the argument and the ensuing offer of a hand in conciliation? maybe that would have been a little more appropriate, respectable and impressive?
I think what Syd Millar did was only emphasise the problem, and accentuate for the viewing public the rift that still lies between the amateur game and the new professional era! In his own foolish way, and contrary to his intent I think it highlighted the issue brilliantly, but from completely the other side of the fence!!
My view is that the RFU have still not come to terms with the professional concept. On or off the pitch.
They resent players making money, they resent the clubs making money and having any power or control in the game, and their belief is still that they should have complete control and ultimately players should still play for honour.
I still believe players can play with and for honour and be paid, just look at Martin Johnson.
The RFU were told to sign their top 40 players when the game went professional. By me !!! They refused, and the rest is history.
The clubs are far from perfect, and a few of their owners make you feel very uneasy, especially if you were in business with them, but nonetheless they have poured huge amounts of money into the development of the English game and players, and it is only right that they should be acknowledged.
I still believe that the dream of every rugby player is to play for his country. I know it was mine, and I know because of my father being in the army that I had no great allegiance to any town, but even so I still believe the ultimate for any boy growing up in Leicester of Bath is still to play for England. It is the ultimate and is still the shop window that primarily drives revenue, fan base, and media coverage.
It has to be nurtured, developed and placed as the primary objective of every Union.
BUT
Since the game has gone professional the clubs have played an increasing role in all those elements, and rightly deserve a corresponding say in how the game on the professional stage is run, managed and developed. They also own the players! Quite a key ingredient!
I might be naive, but i believe the issue can easily be sorted out. The RFU needs to offer the clubs a proper financial package for the loan of their players for chunks of the season. A package that would enable the clubs to recruit an understudy, who the RFU could even insist is English? That would then enable the clubs to carry on during the Six Nations, November period etc, instead of being penalised for having English players in their squad.
I honestly think it is a simple business deal and not a highly complicated one at that, as some would have us believe, which is why I am staggered that it has taken this long. It makes me strongly suspect that certain personnel within the RFU are determined that it will never happen. Why? Who the hell knows, but I am sure ego is a major player!!! As always!!!

Kicking Game

I know this is sad, but probably quite appropriate for me then!! But I have got to level 7 !!!! Real pressure that!!!
Anyone care to try??
Let me know if you beat me and I will get practising!!!

Mehrtens shows great attitude !!!!

I know I have had a bit of a run on Mehrts of late, but this just cracked me up!!!
What a boy!!!
I bet the South Africans must have loved him!!!
Brilliant !!!!!

Rob Andrew

I might be out of touch with the intricacies and the finer points in the argument, or should I say arguments, between the RFU and the clubs, but surely there is one man ideally placed to fix it ASAP.
Rob Andrew.
He spent ten years in charge of Newcastle RFC, and in those years he had his fair share of run ins with the RFU! He fought the clubs corner as hard of not harder than anyone. He has been critical of all sorts of aspects of the RFU, from the behaviour of Sir Clive to the treatment of his beloved Falcon players!
So he knows all the arguments, all the grievances, all the mistrust that the clubs hold against the RFU.
And now he is the top man at the RFU. The top man. In charge of all on field aspects of the game. In charge! Sole charge. No one to answer to, he is THE man.
He has had five months plus to get his feet under the table, to work out the politics, to hear the RFU side, to get a balanced view.
so it's perfect isn't it??????
Here is an ex club man, a highly experienced club man, highly versed in the art of fighting the RFU, and as a result highly trusted by the other club men!
He is now up to date with the RFU take on the situation, and as an ex Cambridge graduate, so bright !!!, quite capable of resolving this situation within a few weeks.
Which leaves me confused. Aren't you? Rob is in charge, isn't he? So if he is, why has he not stood up, called the clubs together, his old colleagues, and sorted the whole pathetic mess out for all of us. Why not???
Is he not in charge? If he isn't, who is, and why are we continually led to believe that he is?? is it Francis Baron? And if it is, why has Rob not informed us of such, and why is Francis not holding public press briefings and being quoted on a regular basis?? He was quick enough to blame Robinson and keep his back safe wasn't he?? Quick enough to be public then!!!
But if it is not Baron, who else??? Martyn Thomas??? Surely not!!!! I know the RFU have their problems but surely that would be just too much!!!! The man is embarrassing! Enough said.
So it comes back to Rob. Good guy. A mate. But..........!
He has taken on the job. It is now time to stand up and be counted. Time to stand up, tell all the blundering idiots to shut up, grow up and bloody stay out of it. Time to stick his neck on the line and make the call. Time to earn his money, use his experience and put an end to this embarrassing public fight between gin soaked old men who have completely lost track of what is important and have made that fatal and pathetic mistake of thinking that they are!!!
It is time for him to be the number one man. To be the Boss. And I just hope like hell that he has the balls to do it.

Europe!

Well you go away for a holiday and come back to find that the Irish and French are no longer in Europe!!! Happy Days !!! -- Only joking Leinsterfan!

So Munster crash out and Wasps pulverise Leinster! Not something that a rugby genius such as myself would have predicted! But then who would have said that the little garlic munching surrender monkeys from Biaritz would have lost to Northampton or that Leicester would have beaten Stade Francais at the death? ......................Not a lot of us I am sure!

From an English point of view I was euphoric and then just as rapidly the rug is pulled from under your feet by the threat, and a genuine one it seems, that the English and French clubs will pull out of the Cup next season.

What the hell is going on??!!!

Even Dean Richards is dumbfounded.

I have to say that I look at Martyn Thomas (who is he anyway and where did he come from) and Francis Baron, and wonder how on earth did those two become the most powerful men in English rugby??

I am definitely not saying that you have to be an ex International player to be in a position of responsibility at the RFU, that would be crazy, but it would be nice to think that they might have a track record of success somewhere??!! Business , sport, anything!!!!

What a tragedy that a great rugby competition is being held hostage by old men with egos, intent on their own feuds rather than what might be in the best interests of rugby. Oh how that rings true of so many decisions surrounding rugby.

I sincerely hope that maybe the Celts can gang up on the RFU and force them to change their minds!

Don't the English just really piss you off !!!!

Off on Holiday

Off on holiday, but a few things I have been thinking about!

Summer Tours;

Rob Andrew has hinted strongly that England might well not be taking many of the key players to South Africa, and Ieuan believes the Welsh will do the same. The thinking is that the guys need a rest and a chance to get fit!
Does that not beg the question, what the hell is the point of the tour then? So the Springboks get to whack some of our younger guys??!! Always good for their future development!!! Or is it meant to be good for the character? Stiff upper lip and all that??!!
As I said on the Podcast, the best thing that England did before the 2003 World Cup was go and beat New Zealand and Australia on their own patch. Massive psychological advantage to England!
I think what we are really saying here, and it seems the Welsh are too, is that we are not good enough to beat you down there, so we won't try. We will hide up here and try to beat you with a bit of luck in a few months time!
I know I am old fashioned, but I would prefer us to go. For two reasons;
Firstly experience! These young England players need as much experience as possible, and playing in SA at Bloomfontein and Pretoria is right up there!
Secondly I think we will get beaten. That will hurt! And I believe that hurt, that experience, that desire for revenge is our best chance when we face them in the World Cup.
Otherwise I believe our guys will lose in the World Cup, due to inexperience as much as anything, and only after they lose will they realise that they were good enough to win! Crazy logic I know, but it does work!!!
I know Zinny disagrees, but what does he know!!!
In all seriousness, he said that the guys do not need more rugby in order to win at the World Cup, it is all in the head. You win when you turn up mentally. (ask the Irish) And I think our best chance is to be hurt into turning up.

Can anyone tell me what has happened to the likes of Abbott, Smith and Allen?
At the beginning of the season I thought we had a few interesting centres, and now apart from Tait, the cupboard is looking very bare! Who has raided it??

I will leave that one with you as I head off to enjoy the beach for a week or so!

Six Nations as seen on TV Part 2 !!

How about a few more;

Songs of Praise - Croke Park (deserves as much praise as possible)

Only Fools and Horses - the Scottish backline!

Antique Roadshow - England team 2004 - 2006 !

Six Nations review as seen on TV!

Match the TV programme with your memories of this year's SIX NATIONS !!

Home and Away:Rob Andrew discusses Englands inconsistent form

Lost:The England pack in Ireland

The Royale Family:Mike Tindall at home with his in Laws
>
> Absolutely Fabulous: A re-run of the England win over France..
>
> Last of the Summer Whine; Ieuan complains about referees.
>
> Casualty: Starring Jonny Wilkinson, Jonny Wilkinson and Jonny Wilkinson

The Weakest Link: In-depth profile of coach Hadden.
>
> Comic Relief: A look back at the Scotland games.
>
> Drop the Dead Donkey: Ashton contemplates the future of Grewcock..
>
> Bottom: A review of Scotland's campaign.
>
> The Office: Fly-on-the-wall documentary set in the RFU HQ. This week:
> Shall we order new blazers for the WC campaign?
>
> Are You Being Served?: Twickenham fans struggle to get a half-time pint.
>
> Red Dwarf: A profile of Wales player Shane Williams.
>
> Prime Suspect: Ronan O'Gara's strangler - watch out for the Murrayfield grass, it's a killer!!
>
> The Old Grey Whistle Test; Wales ask if they've time for a line-out.
>
> The Gentle Touch: The Murrayfield grass around O'Gara's neck!!!.
>
> Men Behaving Badly: Flintoff on a pedallo.
>
> One Foot In The Grave: An interview with Mike Catt.
>
> Give Us A Clue: Ashton is asked why he dropped Lewsey..
>
> I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here: Farrell talks about his switch to
> Union.


Let me have your ideas!! I know they will be far funnier than these!!! I blame Mike and Tony !!!

An Insight into All Black preparation!!!

This is absolutely brilliant. Mehrts at his very best. This was before the All Blacks game in November, so it gave all our guests a rare insight into the mind of an All Black legend!!! ENJOY!!!!!

6 Nations wrap up Podcast

Dear All,

we are doing the final 6 Nations podcast tomorrow, so please send me some of your funny views / comments / moments of the Championship, and I shall make sure we use them!
Any other good comments / chants / nicknames for players etc will also get a good mention!
Look forward to them!!!!!

Elvis and others !

Who would have thought Elvis would score the winning try in the Six Nations??!! Unreal !!
Call me crazy, but I have just been to the bookies and taken out a bet on Shergar hitting the winning runs in the cricket World Cup and Lord Lucan winning the Masters!
And I tell you, the odds are great !!!

Weekend wrap up

So the Welsh beat the English, and they deserved to. The first fifteen minutes they played at a pace and with an ability that I think we all knew they had, they have just managed to suppress it for the whole of the Championship so far!
The English certainly helped, when you don't compete at set piece, or the tackle area, it does always encourage a team and allow them to play at their pace, in your half and run where they like!! Rather like un-opposed training!
Then the English produced two moments of personal magic and they were back in the game. However, their forwards still did not get it, and carried on allowing the Welsh to do what they wanted, when they wanted to!
Credit to the Welsh pack though, they have been diabolical so far in the Championship, and then yesterday they produced a fine performance. They dominated, physically and mentally and they deserve the praise that will come their way.
Casting an eye over England; the positives are that they blooded a very young back row and midfield, the average age must have been 21. A hell of a cauldron to play in, a hell of an experience, and a lesson in what it takes to win in Cardiff against a proud and passionate nation.
Let's be honest, we are not going to win the World Cup, but I hope we can be competitive, and blood players that will be in a position to win in 4 1/2 years time. Maybe that is what Ashton is doing now, maybe he has realised that there is no point in trying to patch it up, we might as well just put in the talent and hope that it will be strong enough to survive a torrid year or so, and then the experience and maturity will percolate to the top and we will be back to winning?
Or am I being overly optimistic?
I know a few of you have commented about lack of physical presence. Point taken, although I would say that physical presence without pace and power is useless. I think we need pace ahead of physical presence. The likes of Haskell, Easter, Lund and Rees are as big as the All Blacks, what they do not have is the pace or skill. They can work on the skill, and maybe as their experience grows they will get to the crucial breakdowns quicker and with more impact.
It is players who make an impact that we need. Players who can break defences. Players who can create scoring opportunities.
That can be through either pace, vision, power or skill. We are too low in those areas at the moment, and Ashton's big challenge is not selection, but persuading Rob Andrew that he has to get the club V RFU issue resolved, and quickly. That might allow players the environment in which to develop their skills, their pace and power. At the moment they are on a treadmill of mediocre games, and they are not being given the time or the coaching to enable them to improve.
England need to move away from the gym, and get players back to understanding the game, to understanding space, how you create it, and how you exploit it. Change our training methods, change the focus of fitness away from ticking off bench presses, leg power and get the guys back out with the ball in their hands and players in front of them so that they can understand the dynamics again.
Let players make decisions, play what they see, not what has been planned.

Wow, what a rant!!

One more thing!!!!!

I think it is great that Italy have done so well. I hope that they can develop from here, so that the game does get a real foot hold in the country and they become a genuine force in the Championship. It is great for rugby, but of far more importance, Rome is just a great place to go for the weekend!!!!

Match predictions !

ROME !

Princess O'Gara, fresh from the failed assassination attempt by the Scottish strangler, will be put under the closest of Italian scrutinies!! I am not sure if there are any Sardinians in the Italian side, but I am sure they would like to see little Ronan swimming with the fishes by the end of the game!!!

The Irish class will prevail, however, I am sure, in D'Arcy and O'Driscoll they have the match winners, ably assisted by Horgan Dempsey and Hickie. So the good news is that Princess O'Gara will survive to dance again with her fourteen butch consorts!!!!

PARIS !

Paterson has been widely quoted as saying that he has had a funny feeling all week. It is called brown adrenaline, running down your leg Chris !!!

The French should be on fire, literally!! I am sure Professor Laporte has wanted to torch a few of them!! The Scots however passionate, however full of adrenaline, just do not have the pace, creativity or skill to win that game.

So the Frogs to enjoy champagne whilst the thistle wilts in the corner.

CARDIFF !

The return of Tait!!! Sadly the cast is missing it's other lead character as the waxed, orange one has hurt his knee!!

The wooden spoon casts quite a shadow over the best rugby stadium, but the loss of Jones and the inclusion of Thomas does improve the Welsh chances quite considerably!! Hook has talent! But do the Welsh forwards have the balls??

If the English eight can produce the intensity of Sunday, and Flood is in full flow, the Welsh will be washed away!

PS. Who do we all think the Scottish strangler might be (apart from bollocks!!!)

Ideas on the comments page please...............

Lions team on current Form!

A few guys are asking for my view on a current Lions team, namely Leinsterfan and Munster Legend!!! I wonder why??!!!

Well here goes;

15 Lewsey

14 Strettle

13 Tait

12 Catt

11 Robinson

10 Flood

9 Ellis

8 Ward-Smith !!!!

7 Rees

6 Lund

5 O'Connell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 Palmer

3 **** knows

2 **** knows

1 Who cares !!!!!

OK OK !!! Not funny!!!

Seriously ......................;

15 Dempsey

14 Horgan

13 O'Driscoll

12 D'Arcy

11 Strettle

10 Hook

9 Ellis

8 Leamy

7 Wallace

6 Easterby

5 O'Connell

4 Murray

3 E. Murray

2 Best

1 Jenkins

Not sure if those two props can play together, but who cares!!!

Williams loses out at 7 due to too many missed tackles.

O'Gara misses out at 10 because he is O'Gara !!

Peel and Stringer miss out at 9 because neither is on top form and I think Ellis has improved massively.

The Irish back row are so well balanced, but a few good games from Rees and he could be in because good as Wallace is, he is not an out and out 7.

Can't think there are many other areas of contention, but I am sure you will find plenty!! As long as at the end of it, you realise that I am right and you are wrong!!!!

Jason Robinson strikes!!!

Will he do this again on Saturday???!!!!!

Lazarus O'Gara

So there was an attempted strangling of Ronan on Saturday, or so Eddie would have us believe!!
Mmmmmmmmmm! call me cynical, but why???
Why on two counts....;
OK the Scots might have wanted to target O'Gara, and who can blame them (gobby little shite!!), and I know the Scots are not firing on all cylinders at the moment, but even they would not wait until the final minute surely!!!!???
Get him and get him early!!!
The other issue I have with this, is , why is the blame purely focused on the Scots??
What about his own forwards????
He was having a crap game......... and maybe one of them had just had enough...!! Maybe??
Sadly for all conspiracy theorists, I think it is good old Eddie just trying to stir something up. The Irish were brilliant against England, truly awesome, but against Scotland they were shite! Without putting too finer point on it, and so Eddie, God bless him, would prefer to talk about the Scottish strangler !!!than his sides own awful performance.
There is also the scandalous notion that O'Gara might have been concussed, and this is just a smoke screen!!!
Surely not ????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harsh on Frogs!

Thought I would share this photo with you, seeing as a mate sent it through!! Quite an insight into my kind of mates I suppose!! But I found it mildly amusing and bits of it were of interest!!!
I thought the sentiment was a little harsh, but certainly going in the right direction!!!!

Young Guns

What can you say?? Apart from what a surprise!! And a great surprise at that!!
England played. They played with pace, with direction, with conviction and with courage, which was just brilliant to see.
Flood had so much pressure on him, he had to control and run the game, kick the goals and all the while he had the ghost of Jonny hanging over him (something that Charlie Hodgson has never been able to shake off). Well I have to say, the ghost was told to **** off in no uncertain terms. And if that was not enough when Geraghty came on he literally walked all over the ashes!!
Flood was very impressive, in his invention, his reading of the game and his execution. He is a natural player, he plays against what he sees in front of him, not what he has rehearsed in his head for the days building up to a game.
I would hazard a guess that he is great to play outside, and Geraghty was in the same mould. Fearless, skillful, pace and flair and a revelation to a fat old bastard like myself!!
I know Jonny has been important to England, his recall seemed to be the only option, but after yesterday, and I know it was only one game, but the young talent I witnessed out there, and the composure those two had should give Ashton quite a lot to think about!!
And then Rees added a new dimension to England's ability to play at pace, Corry had the best game I can remember and Streetle makes me laugh whenever he gets near the ball. He has such a **** off attitude about everything he does, from the way he looks, the way he stands, the way he runs and attacks people, and I love it!!!
So a great day for English rugby fans, and players and I hope they all drank heavily.
The challenge for the young guns is to realise that it will all count for nothing if it is not backed up with a win this weekend.
So let's hope they clean out their barrels and are ready to fire again!!!

Team Talk !

An Old man rambling on, but I hope some of these emotions are swirling around the England team hotel this evening!!!.........................

Tomorrow we will pull on the England shirt.
Tomorrow we will be the lucky ones. Out of all the players who have tried to earn it, out of all the people who dream of wearing it, we will be the ones who have the honour of pulling it on.
And tomorrow we must look each other in the eye and know that together we will start to rebuild the honour, the dignity, the esteem that this shirt demands.
I think of the great players, the great men that have worn this shirt, that have given whilst wearing this shirt, that through their actions have created the myth and love that surrounds this shirt. The great names, from the likes of Beaumont, Cotton, Neary, to Winterbottom, Teague, Richards, Dooley, Underwood and Guscott up to the likes of Johnson, Leonard, Back, Dawson and Dallaglio.
These guys strove to give this shirt honour and success every time they wore it.
We have a duty, a debt, to make sure that our team honours their memory, honours the memory of every player who has worn this shirt, and every supporter who has loved this shirt, and we must take on that debt, that responsibility and ensure with every ounce of our being we will do the same.
So look at me now, so that I can see in your eyes that come tomorrow we will all do our job, we will all give our bodies, our minds and our hearts to guarantee that we will instill the pride and dignity that the shirt deserves.
And I want to be able to look at all of you as you peel that shirt back off your body and smile, proud that we have done just that, that you have done just that, and in so doing we have set a new start a new standard, and we can be proud again.
Proud of ourselves, proud of each other and proud that we honoured the shirt as it should be and that we have just laid down a new chapter in it's great history.
So look at me now, look at each other, and understand what we have to do, and understand and trust that when tomorrow comes, we will do it.

How we will beat the French !!!!!!!!!!!

Firstly, and maybe bizarely to some of you, I do think we can beat the French on Sunday! But to do it, we need to be very focused and play at an intensity that we have not seen for a good few years.
Our front five must be aggressive in the set piece, precise, accurate but aggressive, so that our scrum is solid, and our line out provides the crucial flow of ball.
If they do that job, it will enable our back row to use the pace they now have. I think Rees could be crucial, inexperienced as he is, he has enough pace to enable him to dominate the arrival at each and every tackle situation. That would allow Easter and Worsely to concentrate on winning the ball, and here Worsley has to stand up and deliver on the fifty caps that he has accumulated.
As an eight we need to challenge every breakdown, physically, mentally, hit every player hard, hit any player we can late, and stamp on any available limbs without being seen, and whilst being subtle!! We need to create an edge to every second of the game, and remain in control at the same time.
We need to make every second uncomfortable for the French, we need to hurt them as often as possible, and we need to keep them under intense pressure for thewhole game, not 79 minutes, not 75 minutes, it has to be for the whole game.
Ellis will have to show his maturity in pressurising Yachvili, hounding him, without descending into a red mist and just punching him! This is where we need to have an icy control in our heads, and yet a boiling rage in our bodies.
Ellis also needs to take pressure off young Flood, take on board as much of the tactical kicking as he can, and ensure that with some tactical running he attracts the interest of the French backrow so that they can not just focus in on Flood.
Catt will certainly provide the vision and distribution at number 12, and if he can deliver the right passes at the right times, the running skills and pace of our back three can definitely cause the French real problems.
Our tactical kicking and chase need to be perfect, and preferably down the channels as this will not allow the French any counter-attack opportunities.
In attack we need to play a relatively fast paced game, to use Rees to his full advantage. We need to deliver our running forwards, Easter and Worlsey into space by running them off 12 and 13 as well as just 10.
Exploit Dominici, and put runners off the shoulders of Flood as I think Skrela is not only slow on his feet, but not the bravest!! I think we can manufacture holes around Skrela, especially if we encourage Betsen to fly at Flood. The down side is that Flood will be pretty uncomfortable on Monday, but then again who really cares!!
Play with pace, take the risks, run at both wings hard, tie them up in the tackle and the run wide again from the next phase ( and whilst doing that give the wings a good kicking whilst they are in there!!!)
So passion with brains, steel and poise and the first hits and contact on our terms and we might even rouse the crowd into support!!
Ever the optimist!!!!

Schoolboy rugby at it's best!!!

Leinsterfan,

I thought you would appreciate this!!! Don't know why!!!

This guy could have played number 13 !!

You have to laugh at this !!! He comes on from the touch line, slyly lines up his man, who he realises is being held, throws his punch, not a bad one I have to say, and then runs like hell !!!! That takes guts!!!! I thought about doing that so often !!!

The Podcast and a leather sofa!!!!

I know I am slightly biased, but you need to listen to the podcast tomorrow! Zinny was on fire!
Great quote, that O'Driscoll will lift up the Scottish skirts and realise that they have no balls!!
Ieuan was very diplomatic! Talking up Wales's chances etc etc. I think we need to buy him a cardigan, slippers and a pipe!!!
Ian Poulter is on great from in the naked rant, having oiled himself up to sit on one of his leather sofa's !!! Lovely thought!!
I obviously tried to be intellectual, interesting and insightful!! But sadly ended up being shite, as usual!!
Definitely worth a listen!!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/exclusions/podcast/podcastportal.xml

The England team. I think !!!!!

I might have got Catt right (because I have my finger on the pulse and I am genuinely very intelligent!!) but I thought five changes max, not ten!!!
Delighted Streetle is still there, and that Lewsey is in his best position.
Catt at 12 and Captain! Interesting! He will certainly add a little creativity, I just hope he does not go overboard with his big miss passes. Farrell is out through injury......... REALLY!!!!
Jonny out and Flood in. Well from a decision making view point and a style of play view point I am going to be interested to see how he does, it is the responsibility of kicking that worries me. I just hope his first goes over and that he relaxes after that.
The forwards are just unrecognisable! Vickery out, which is a shame, but then huge pressure on White to prove he is the destructive scrummager Leicester tell us he is! There can be no better time to show us, and I just bloody hope that he does.
Corry in the second row...........!!! I did get a wee bit of flak in November for saying he is just too slow off the base of the scrum these days, but having met him and watched him, I have huge admiration for him and hope that he delivers from the second row.
The backrow looks raw, but exciting, and I think it is about time we went down that route. Who knows it could be a disaster, but I would prefer to take that risk than just plod on down the road we were going.
So a hell of a shock to see all the changes I must admit, but once you look over the team, and you ask what alternatives are there, I hope like me you just think well it is worth giving some of the new faces a go.
Fingers crossed that they show some fire, passion, steel, and that we can be proud of them at the end of the game.

You decide!!

The video says it all really!!!
Much as I love most of football, the one bit I can not understand is the diving and pretending to be injured! You either are, or you aren't!! Why pretend?? Pass a new law in football that anyone faking it, gets a good 30 sec kicking from the opposition!! I think it would soon stop!

Mike Catt - a little bet !!!

I bet Mike Catt plays against France!! Anyone care to disagree??!!

Deano !!

Wasn't that Deano at his best!! I don't know if any of your saw it, but after Quins played Leicester, Deano was told in his interview that Andy Goode had called Quins boring and negative! Deano, took a swig from his drink, that look came into his eye, and then he answered! First of he was serious about the match, and then came his great little touch, 'how come he was playing anyway, has he made up with the coaches then???!!!!' Brilliant!! Publicly he had a recurring hamstring problem, but Deano has just revealed to all of us that Goode has obviously fallen out with the coaching team, and he has been out of the side whilst his dummy has been ricocheting around Leicester city centre!!!! Love it!!!

Dallaglio dropped!

Wow !! LAWRENCE DROPPED BY WASPS!!
Is it me, or does anyone else feel it is sad to see a great player slowly drift into oblivion??
Surely someone close to him should be telling him to stop?? Or is that just me - am I old fashioned?
It is starting to look like an old heavyweight who believes that he has one more big fight in him, when all around can just see that it is not going to happen, and that his time is up!
Does anyone believe that he can still come back and make an impact International level, when he has now just been dropped at club level?
Here is a guy who has won everything, been one of England's great back row players, and yet it all seems to be sliding away, and I just hope the memories of him at his best are not replaced by memories of him fading away and just telling us all through the press that he can still come back.
Who knows we could be watching the equivalent of Rocky, Dallaglio V !!!

Marketing the game!!!

It's all about marketing the game!! Not sure that a Julian White or Danny Grewcock would have quite the same impact !! But just liked the idea!!!

latest podcast

Dear All,

I hope many of you have heard the latest podcast, and Campo's amusing rant!! Not bad, i was quite impressed!!

here's the link...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/exclusions/podcast/podcastportal.xml

We would appreciate your comments on the podcast, what you like, how it could be improved, what new ideas you would like to see included?
Would a video/ podcast appeal?? We can easily do that, and we could get a guest in every week?
Anyway I hope you will give me your feedback, and look forward to it!

Podcast Dress code!!!!!!

Just to give an idea of how we dress for the podcast!!! Bloody shocking isn't it!!!
I bet none of you knew that Zinny waxed his chest!!! Tart !!!
Also do you think my hair colour looks natural ??!!!

Something to make us English fans smile!!

England Selection !!!!!!! Oh what FUN !!!

As you can see my Tin Hat took a few hits over the weekend having made my 'Andy Farrell' comments!! Now even more popular in the League heartlands!!!
However, I hope having read my blogs that people now realise that it was not a knee jerk reaction to one match, and it certainly was not an attempt to blame him and him alone for the massive defeat on Saturday.
The key for me is how England now move forward, and what route Ashton decides to take. Will he try and stick with the majority of the side in a show of faith and loyalty, believing that they do have the ability and all they need is more time together to gel. Or does he become slightly radical and admit that the rebuilding process is going to have to go deeper and take longer than he might have thought?
Does he bring in and keep the likes of Rees, Strettle, Tait, Easter and more?
I am not one for chopping and changing a side far from it, I look back at the man who I think changed English rugby more than anyone, Geoff Cooke, and one of his greatest strengths was his consistency of selection (and picking me as Captain, that was genius!!!!)
Seriously though, there is no point in making changes for changes sake, but serious decisions have to be made about a number of players, and that is even if they are given the time, do they have the talent and ability? I think that the likes of Chuter, Grewcock, Deacon, Corry and Worsely all have to be looked at. Some definitely had the talent, but have they still got it, and the others, well have they actually even got it?
In the backs, Farrell, Tindall and Wilkinson!!! Dare I say that!!!
It is not a midfield that strikes terror and panic into the hearts of the opposition!
We need pace somewhere!! Jonny despite all the hype is not launching the line as he should, but to be fair he needs game time. Tindall will never be the most creative, incisive centre (unlike myself!!!!), but he does have strengths. Farrell is a league legend, and quite rightly, and I believe if he had come to Union four years ago, he would have been awesome. My firm belief, even backed up by the Welsh wizard himself Ieuan, in his blog, is that he no longer has enough pace to play centre. You can have a myriad of other talents, and he does, but he is so lacking in the fundamental area of pace, that those other talents are negated!
Lewsey, Strettle and Robinson as my back three, and maybe Tait back in the middle? Or is it time for Abbott or a Smith??
Hit me with your opinions, I am sure you will, so I will put my hat back on!!!!

Radio 5 Interview

Having done the radio 5 interview, and seen Carling says Farrell should be dropped all over the BBC website, I thought I would explain in a little more detail,
I do think England need to change the midfield, we look predictable, one paced and too similar. We need an edge, we need pace, we need someone with either the creativity, or the pace to cause defences problems. We need the kicking and experience of Wilkinson, although I think even he needs to look hard at how he is instigating a lot of the backline moves. He is a little too deep, too lateral and too easy to read. Tindall is on form for Gloucester, although I think even he would admit yesterday was not one of his finest memories in an England shirt. That said he is a brave and dependable defender and he provides an option to get the ball over or at least to the gainline.
So we are left with Farrell. Much as I am an admirer of his League achievements, and they were awesome, it is not being translated into the Union game. I am not saying that it won't, but when looking at the current situation, and when assessing his three games, he has not convinced me that he has the pace, knowledge or instinctive skill to play International rugby union. His pace will not improve, but the other areas might well do, and then it would be time to reassess.
He was far from alone in being outclassed yesterday, in fact apart from Strettle or possible Lewsey, I think England were outclassed and out thought through out the whole team.
So I do think the midfield needs to change, and I do think Farrell is the guy who needs to be replaced, but I am sure he will not be the only one, and I am also sure he was not the reason England lost to Ireland.

Irish brilliance !!

Awesome! I have to hold my hands up and say it! From the reception given to the England team to the intercept try by the Boss to round off the demolition, it was all awesome.
I had read articles upon articles about Croke Park and the history, and the two lines that really resonated with me were about a country having the chance to show it's maturity and dignity having moved on from those horrific memories. And I have to say I was massively moved at the arrival of the teams and especially at the anthems, the dignity, the maturity was humbling and it was at that moment that I wished I had taken up the invitation to go. To have witnessed that at first hand would have been a very special memory.
And it did not stop there! The Irish team then mirrored their countrymen in the crowd, and were simply dominant in every aspect of play. They had managed to harness the roaring emotion of the occasion and control it and then channel it into one of the finest Irish performances I have ever seen.
O'Connell was magnificent, all aggression, control and experience, and it was he that started to tip the balance Ireland's way with his attacks on the English line out. Their backrow were brilliant, quicker, sharper, more powerful, more explosive, more physical and more skillful. ( Have I left anything out??!)
O'Gara ruled the pitch, and the midfield provided no surprises by humiliating England's, but they had able support from the back three, especially Horgan who was brutal, dirty, and a try scoring hero!
I sat at the end completely deflated. We had been shattered, we had been torn apart by this Irish team, and it was very hard to take.
I struggled to look for some positives...............! Strettle was definitely one, I thought he showed attitude and ability and I liked his style. Lewsey as ever was a beacon, Rees looked sharper when he came on as did Tait, but that was it......!
I think it is fairly obvious to all that Farrell will not make an International centre. He just does not have enough pace, and you need look no further than that. Sadly the midfield as a whole does not pose any threat at the moment, and Ashton needs to rectify that if we are to threaten the best teams. Our back row is still a problem, as we do not possess any explosive ball carriers, and we look laboured and entirely predictable at the moment.
I have never understood the front five, and still don't!! But I am at a loss as to what Deacon delivers to England that is special or gives us any edge? And again, where in that five are our ball carriers??
It has been one whacking reality check! More of a swift kick in the ***** ! But how we react, and how Ashton reacts will be the test of us, and how we will be able, or not, to challenge the French.
So..............by the end my emotions had switched back, and as I curled up like a baby into the foetal position on the sofa, I was relieved that I had not accepted that invitation to go over.............!

None of this Today !!!!

I am sure this won't happen!!! And as for the language!!!

More of this tomorrow PLEASE !!!

Robinson out !

It is a huge blow to lose Robinson, let's not kid ourselves. we need our best finisher, and his experience, so his loss, and the pressure now on Strettle as a new cap is huge! It is made worse by the rumours I hear that Wilkinson is not going to make it either! I hope more than anything that they are wrong, but it does not look good! Drink heavily, that could be the solution!!!

Croke Park, Saturday!!

How important is this game for England on Saturday? So often games are labelled as crucial, vital, must win etc etc, and for the vast majority of the time, they are not! This game, however, falls into that category, and more, because with no exaggeration, it is pivotal to England and their progress towards the World Cup.
The importance has nothing to do with the stadium, the history or the emotion however, and that is meant in no way as a slight. It is pivotal down to the very impact it will have, one way or the other, on the England players, management, media and fans.
The peripheral issues needed to be and have been addressed. Yes, there needs to be an understanding of the terrible history all those years ago, there needs to be a sensitivity towards the impact that has had on so many lives ad so many views. But let's also be brutally honest, once that has been taken on board, and digested by the players who will walk out for England on Saturday, it has to then be consigned to the memory bank, as it is not relevant to them and the rugby match they are about to play. And a rugby match is all it is. The players who are on the pitch are English, and very proud to be, but they are not related, not supportive, and certainly not interested in being associated with the events all those years ago.
So I fervently hope that the game is seen in perspective, and not as some opportunity to avenge, to punish or to abuse a team who have come with the sole purpose of trying to win at sport.
I do believe all the hype and emotion will impact far more on the Irish team that the English however, as it has been such a painful memory threaded into their daily lives, it is an issue so topical to the communities that they live in, and as such the emotion will reverberate far deeper than with the English who have not had to deal with decades of hurt.
So the pressure is very much on O'Driscoll and his team, not only to win, but to shoulder the burden of massive expectation and passion, not all of it healthy, and to deal and control this alongside the normal pressure and emotional turmoil of a rugby International. No mean feat that!
And for England, the opportunity in rugby terms to catapult their confidence ten fold up the ladder, and to give themselves the chance to face the French at home, unbeaten, confident and settled, not a thought many would have entertained in dark November!
It is one hell of a day coming our way, and one hell of a ride coming the players way. I hope we get some close ups early on of the eyes, because it is there that I think we will get our first indications of who ,and who has not, got control on their emotions and focus!!!

Kicking Duel at Croke Park

Let's just hope that Jonny is this focused on Saturday!! Good technique I thought, and I was especially pleased that the skirt did not ride up too high!!!

Never go behind the bar!!

Painful!! But I am hoping similar to what we will do to the Irish on Saturday night!!!!!

Player release!

So the Irish players have been relaxing, whilst some of the English players have had to play! I am amazed at the shocked reaction, it is not a new issue! The RFU and clubs have had 11 years to sort this out, so to be fair, not that long!!
I very rarely get anything right, but I remember telling the then secretary of the RFU and a guy called Colin Herridge that they should sign up the top 40 players as soon as the game went professional. They declined, sipped their gin and tonics and explained that the Rugby Football Union would always have first call on players!! Arrogant and as can be seen unbelievably inaccurate!!!
So now we are faced with the issue that our players are disadvantaged in comparison with the Irish. If we lose next week, the main reason thrown up will be this lack of rest, but if we win, then the issue will be amazingly forgotten! I am not convinced that it is going to be a major issue.
If I was Ashton, I would use it as an angle to focus the guys, to develope the backs to the wall mentality, which when added to the history and the emotion that the new Stadium will bring, could be the best approach! We need to create that mentality, and one that will relish this kind of challenge. It would have been a game I would have loved to play. The whole challenge, the emotion, the history (which must be respected) then confronted as another challenge to beat. It would be awesome to run out, feel the atmosphere, and to overcome the whole stack of advantages going Ireland's way. To beat them there, the first time at Croke park, when they are rested and we are not, that is what it is all about, and that would be a great feeling as you walked off the pitch having achieved it!!
Dream on, you might say, and I know I am a sad ******* !! but for some reason those are the challenges that made playing rugby special.
So for some strange reason, I am looking forward to the game!
Anyone want a little bet???????!!!!

Rob Andrew Pleading!!

Interesting to see Rob pleading with the clubs not to play the starting line up!! Do I remember correctly that when he was in charge of Newcastle he refused a very similar plea??!!
I can't have a go though, because he is my mate, and it just amuses me how he has flipped sides, and manages to keep a straight face!!
Sad to realise that we are still in this country V club farce, over 11 years into professional rugby! No rush!
But it will be interesting to see if Rob's pleas fall on deaf ears. I think it will largely depend on whether he was begging on his knees or not!

Zinzan's Blog

Love Zinny's new update! Talking about the French 'choking the rooster' !! Strange, I always thought they 'bashed the bishop'!! The last paragraph is an interesting insight into the mind of a Kiwi legend!!!!!

Women!

Reminds me of the first mixed dinner the RFU committee ever allowed after one of the Internationals!

BBC

Here I go with a massive whinge!!!
The BBC !! Maybe that is enough said!!
England V Italy, and in the studio we have................ wait for it............the injured Joe Worsley!! Member of the team, except for a small injury that will keep him out of this game. So just the right man to give us an objective and honest insight to the days play? Bollocks!! To be fair to him how can he? They are his team mates, and his friends and he is not going to criticize any of them. So surprisingly we get a bland, uninteresting view from a 'current' player! Brilliant! It had me rolling in the aisles!!
But it gets better!!! Down pitch side, down in the crowd, where we can hear the screams, almost smell the deep heat and sense the adrenalin pumping, we have ...................Dan Ward-Smith!!!! Bloody hell!!! The man has not even played International rugby, he has sadly missed his chance for this Six Nations due to his injury, but he is desperate to go on the summer tour and be available for the World Cup. So quite obviously he is ideally placed, like Joe to give us an analytical view on the game, informed due to his experience, and unhindered by any personal ambitions to ingratiate himself to coaches and team mates alike! It was so embarrassing I had to flick the volume off! It is no fault of his, and in no way do I blame him, but who the hell makes these crass decisions in the BBC? The poor guy could obviously not stand for too long without pain, which was the only saving grace as he was not asked to comment for too long!
I can't wait for the French game. Maybe we could have Jonny Wilkinson popping to the tunnel during the game to give us an insight every now and then, or maybe we could use a young kid who has just been picked for England Under 16?? Francis Baron might want to get involved and tell us about the new stand, sorry His stand, and we could even squeeze Prince Harry in surely for some in depth analysis???
What a load of bollocks !!!
Sharpen up, get some decent analysts who are going to give us interesting, thought provoking reviews, and stop all this sad 'currency' and 'celebrity' face in the crowd crap!!!

Six Nations so far!

What an English hypocrite I am !!! Nothing changes!! I am not impressed with Ireland after a poor performance against Wales, but I am more than forgiving of the English after a shite performance against Italy!! Shocking!!
Wales seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate down the plug hole! They have the best scrum half, a very good ball carrying No 8, the best No 7, and plenty of talented backs. So why so poor? No doubt Ieuan Shadwell Evans will give us a serious and intelligent analysis soon, but for now you will have to be happy with mine!
Jones at 10 is playing far too deep, hence they are struggling to pierce any defences. Their forwards lack leadership, and are conceding ground, speed and metres at the breakdowns. The midfield lacks a cutting edge and their general play is too slow, predictable and very un Welsh at the moment. Gone is the flair, the unpredictability, the pace the nerve, the cheek that has always shown them at their best. If they are to resurrect anything from this tournament and Pickering's amazing statement pre tournament that they were on track to win the World Cup, then they have to go back to those facets of their play that makes them special. Instinctive play, daring play, courage and pace to attempt the unexpected and let their footballers make their natural decisions rather than the laboured, ineffective sham that is being delivered at the moment.
Why do I care?? Not sure!! But bizarrely I do !!!!

Italian Job

Well not a lot of sparkle in that Italian job!! in fact bugger all !! BUT !! strangely maybe just what England needed! Needed not wanted! No one wants to play like that, and some of it was genuine shite!! But we have all been there, me more than most, and the crucial thing, is that following something like that you drink heavily, abuse lots of smaller people (slightly hard in my case!!), convince yourself that you are the dogs ******** before you collapse, and then put it right for the next game! Can't see Jonny doing that somehow, but I am sure that they will put it right for the Irish game. Psychologically the Italy game was always going to be the hardest, following the euphoria of the Scotland game and the sobering prospect of Ireland away, Italy was guaranteed to be a struggle to get up for. And so it has proved! I just hope that it has pissed them off sufficiently to focus and produce against the Emerald isle. Especially as they will have already lost to the French boys by then!!!

England to beat Italy

suprise ! suprise ! I am going for us to beat the Italians today !!
England by 20 -25 ! Not far off last week, only 2 points, so I am pushing it by predicting this week!
So fingers crossed, and lets hope the Celts kick each other to bits!!!!

The Green to crash against Les Bleus

Ireland were poor against the Welsh, and I felt lucky that they were not beaten. A reflection more on Wales's inability to kill off a lethargic side, than Ireland's ability to dig deep and scrape a win.
So this Saturday I believe the French will provide too much muscle, technique and skill in their forward pack for the Irish to get away with it again.
They just do not seem to cope with being favourites, and the psychological pressure that creates.
Let's see!!!!!!!

The Good old French

I see Bernard Laporte, who reminds me of a mad professor and certainly behaves like one, has changed his winning side! he wants to create competition within his squad! He wants an edge to each player, and he wants them all slightly unsure of their places. I can't help thinking that he is trying to do a 'Graham Henry', but the problem is, and it's a fairly major one, it is far too close to the World Cup now.
Teams need to be settling down, generating that instinctive understanding and trust within the combinations, not always looking over their shoulder and wondering what combination the professor is going to come out of the laboratory with this time!
At least it gives us all hope that such a talented squad as the French are, will be stopped from reaching their awesome potential by the strange selections of their eccentric leader!!

Review of the weekend!

Now the dust has settled, what did the weekend show us !!??
Ireland, despite all the hype, were far from impressive. O'Driscoll is a class act, but O'Gara as I have hinted at looked like a startled rabbit for most of the game, his dummy was certainly ricocheting around the stadium and the forwards did not compete well.
Wales? well in my view they should and could have beaten Ireland, with a little pace in the midfield and Jones playing flatter, I believe they would have opened up the Irish defence sufficiently to win the game!
So overall, Ireland unconvincing, has the pressure already eaten away at their brittle confidence??!!
England - great to see them win. Great to see them smile! ( Not that I am biased!!)Jonny- amazing performance considering his lack of rugby, but also from Lund, Robinson and Corry. A good performance, and a confidence building one, but certainly not a great one, and I am sure not one they will get carried away with. Scotland were poor, especially in the forwards, and the Italian's will put England under far more pressure than that, so we will have to be quicker, more precise and more instinctive in our play than against Scotland.
That said, good win for England, relief for Ireland, who knows what the French will do next, and keep your ears open for rumours coming out of Wales!!!

Oh how embarrasing !!! It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke!!

WHAT A **** !!!

O'Gara

before I forget, did anyone else pick up the odd squeal by O'Gara on Sunday??? I am sure I caught a few on the pitch side microphones, and watching him closely he did not seem to happy with life!!i just wish I could lip read!!!
The chink in the Irish armour perhaps???!!

Winters tells me as it is!!!!

Of course we all know that he is only joking!!!

Scott tries to excuse his jumper

Not a convincing excuse in my book! He had obvioulsy dribbled his Big Mac all over his shirt and was covering it up with his Son's jumper!!!

Robert Jones

The Legend makes his prediction.

England result

So Italy did not beat France!! infact not even close!! But then again I have always had my finger on the pulse!!
But England did win, and by about 20 points so not bad!
Lund went well and although all the hype will be about Jonny, I think England having a number 7 who can link the backs and forwards is the most important development from the game. It will allow England to maximise the likes of Lewsey, Robinson, Tindall and Farrell. England have played for too long with a non ball playing backrow and that has precluded them from ever playing a fluid or expansive game, so congratualtions to Lund.
Great to see Robinson back, and Tindall looking sharp!
I am still unsure about the impact Farrell will make, I hope it is a great one, but at the moment following the one game, and it has to be said a game against one of the least inspiring midfields in the Championship, I am not convinced. I think he has the talent, application and desire, I just hope that he will have come to terms with the pace and intensity of the Six Nations before we hit the Irish.
All in all great to be smiling after and England game! Makes a great change and a very welcome one!
Drink heavily!!!

Kiwis having fun!!

The First thing that strikes you is that these Kiwi's know how to have a good time don't they!!! And then you think, Zinny, you big ****** bully !!!!

New Team

Wow !!! Wilkinson !!!
I am not quite sure what to make of it! Part of me thinks, yes he is a class player, he has experience, he has courage and he is proven at this level. Take into account the lack of Barkley and Hodgson and is there an alternative?? And then part of me thinks, for ****s sake he has only played 40 minutes of rugby in the last three months, and has not played International rugby for over three years ( the shocking Lions tour aside!)
So I am torn!
But I am an optimist and an England fan, and all I can do is hope that he has a good game, that England show some passion, direction and sense of enjoyment, and that on Saturday evening I am enjoying a beer telling everyone what a great and brave selection it was!
Sad that Ward-Smith is not available, I was interested to see if Ashton was going to have the courage to start him! For some reason I think they were going to bring him off the bench.
Great that we have a proper number 7, hopefully that will lead to far more fluidity and continuity in our play.
As for the midfield........ well they are bloody big! I would not have fancied playing against them. (mind you when thinking about it, I did not fancy playing against any combinations!!!) Despite all the hype, I do think Farrell will bring a maturity, some leadership and a presence to the number 12 shirt, which has been lacking for three years now. I thought they would play Tait at 13, for pace more than anything, but Ashton must think that in Balshaw, Lewsey and Robinson we have enough pace, and we can inject it where necessary. Tindall is back on form and will certainly enable us to get the ball and focus across the gainline for a change.
So apart from being shocked and having splinters up my arse on the Wilkinson issue, I am generally pretty positive.
A first win for Mr Vickery I feel !!

Brian Ashton

So the Newcastle coach is buzzing about Brian Ashton, and the effect he has already had on the England players!! not really a shock is it? without being too cruel, look at the environment that the guys had been dealing with.......it was tantamount to going back to school by all accounts, and not a school for the particualrly gifted either!! The players spent hours in meetings, being spoekn at, and humour was about as popular as sneezing during the plague!
I am delighted that the players are buzzing again after and England training session, that is the way it should always be. Clubs are your bread and butter, where you learn the skills, the mental toughness and build your experience, but it is playing for your country that is the dream. It was unbelievably sad to hear that England players were dreading the time they spent with England and were depressed about the set up. Without sounding too old fashioned, playing for your country is such an honour, one that should never be taken lightly, and every player who is lukcy enough, who has worked hard enough and is priveleged anough to pull on that shirt, should be mindfull of all the great players that went before him, all the great players who were never as lucky as him, and with those thoughts in his head should make sure that every second wearing that shirt is savoured and relished to the full!
Enough of that emotional waffle!
So all positive from the England camp! Now lets see what team gets picked!!

Arsenal V Man Utd

Went along to the Game, courtesy of BT (love them!!). Great stadium, in an interesting area! Sadly not the outcome Tom, our eldest was looking for, so I had to wait ages for the tears to stop before we could leave! Always good to go to a football game and see some gratuitous swearing!! To be fair there is an edge and atmosphere at the big football games that is very special.( as long as you are safe!!)Still betting on United for the title!

The French !

So the French are going to boycott next season's Heineken Cup??!! Serge Blanco has intimated that it is in support of the English clubs in their fight with the RFU?? Call me cynical, but does anyone else out there have that niggling doubt about the truth in that statement?? The French supporting the English?! I know, I know!! I will say it again............ the French supporting the English!!! ............ No, I am afraid I just can not go for that!
Please tell us the truth! Do they want Pernod as the sponsor, or Moet Chandon?? Are they upset because they are not doing too well, or is it a financial issue?
Whatever the reason, I just can not see that it is in support of the good old 'Roast Beefs' !!!

great Joke! Don't read if you are easily offended!!

'I'm baffled by your orange penis' the Doctor told his patient.
'Does anyone else in your family have this condition?'
The concerned fellow said 'no'
'Do you handle any chemicals at work?'
'I don't work'
'Well what do you do all day' asked the Doctor
' I watch porn and eat Wotsits' !!!!!!!!!!

The RFU Super 10 concept

What a great concept!! I think it's a master stroke, and everyone seems to be missing the point!! Take a step back and think about it, we have had a very poor November, we nearly achieved our worst losing streak of all time, so English rugby is not at it's peak it's safe to say!!
So why not kill it off?? Put it out of it's misery??
Wipe out clubs with years of success, years of tradition and great support, like Leicester and Gloucester, just rub them out and kill them off. Chop them out of the league that will be financed, and force them to play in the lower division with no chance of promotion!!!Then set up clubs in areas that it has never been popular, where it has never generated any support, and you can guarantee that the game dies!
Bloody brilliant!!
I have to say though that they could have done it with more imagination, they could have made it more of a challenge!
Why not set up a club in Liverpool, right next to Anfield?? That would have taken off!! Or put one next to Old Trafford? It's not a great stadium, and I am sure once the season ticket holders at Old Trafford caught a glimpse of the game, the stadium of dreams would have been a ghost town! You see that would have been a challenge! That would have given it a chance, very slim I agree, but a chance all the same!!
Or something completely different. I mean it's not that hard to kill off a game like rugby, and wiping off 8 of the best clubs is not exactly creative, or interesting is it? It's just a little predictable and ultimately boring!
Why not just set up some new clubs, in areas such as Plymouth and Manchester, and play a completely different game??!! If you want to kill the game off, as they patently do, then at least make it amusing and memorable? I mean can't they do anything right??!!!

Mike Teague travelling to work

People keep asking me what the Iron Man is doing!!! well now you know!!!

Phil Vickery

Phil Vickery - new England captain! views??
very impressive, quietly spoken man. Anyone rated by Mike Teague, as little Phil is, has to have something about him. The Iron man believes he is special, and who are we to argue with that? ( or to put it another way, I am certainly not and never have been brave enough to argue with him!!!)
Phil came in after the last South African match, alongside Martin Corry and three of the other England players, and they were both very very impressive. I have to admit that I was s******g myself as to what I was going to talk with the guys about, what was I going to ask......., as November had not exactly been a highlight as far as English rugby had been concerned!
But Martin Corry was brilliant, very honest, very dignified depsite all the crap that he has had, and as he left later I admit that I felt bloody sorry for him and at the same time very impressed.
Phil then answered the questions in such a quiet and emotional manner, talking about how much the shirt still and always will mean, that he almost got a standing ovation. Which is some achievement following a game like that.
I do feel he is going to be a success. He has a presence about him, and a desire that I like. So fingers crossed for the ex Gloucs boy, who started work on the farm artificially inseminating the cows. Or that was his excuse anyway!!!

That terrible moment! especially if you are a back!!

Reminded me of school !!!

Does anyone know this guy??!!

England Squad

I know a few guys have criticised the new squad already, but I have to be honest and say that I am quite impressed. It has a balance to it, the senior experienced guys who genuinely have found form and an edge again such as Tindall and Thompson are back in, alongside the new talent such as Flood and Ward-Smith. The new number 8 is one of the exciting inclusions, and I hope Ashton has the confidence to play him, because England desperatley need ball carriers with explosive power and pace. If the likes of Ward-Smith and Vickery can break a gain line, then for the first time in years, English backs will be running against a disorganised defence, and then we could see some magic from the likes of Tait and Lewsey.
Always an optimist, I think Ashton will change the whole environment for the England players, turning it from a trip back to school to a mature and responsible environemt where the players are listened to and involved. That alongside an understanding that you need to enjoy your sport and even have some fun now and again, could I believe dramatically change the England team we see run out against Scotland!!

Weight Training !!!

It's weird Will, however hard I train and however heavy the weights, my arms still look like strings of spaghetti!!!!!

No rush!!

If you could sign it that would be great...........C...A....M.....P.....!!!!!!!

Style, Hair and of course diet!!

No great suprise that Dan is caught asking my advice on all of the above!! sometimes it's hard to be such an icon to these youg players!!!!!!!

You should always tell the truth

Despite all the hype around him, I thought it only right to tell Jerry that in my eyes he was just a soft b*****d !!! I ran quite fast, just after this photo!!