Tag Archives: england
Why not?
63 minutes and 47 seconds on the clock; Marcus Smith beats the floor with his fist. He has knocked the ball on attempting to keep a move alive. A move that had swept towards the All Blacks’ try line like … Continue reading
Just desserts
Do England and the RFU have the coach they deserve? Having pardoned mediocrity before, can they really be surprised it has turned up at their door again? In Eddie Jones they have someone who is wonderfully evasive and difficult to … Continue reading
Roots
I haven’t written in a while. In truth, other things have got in the way. But personal events over the last week or so have made me rethink. Listen, I’m good, better, on the mend, and although what happened was … Continue reading
The heartbreakingly simple truth
Read my words on the heartbreaking Rugby World Cup final for RugbyPass
A thing with feathers
Just past eight o’clock on Sunday evening, the heat abating from a day that has burnt itself into the memory; I am at the local park. About one hundred yards away, out to my right, two young lads walk home. … Continue reading
From Twickenham, with love
So, there we go. The World Cup is on. England are a very good team and they can go to Japan full of hope and expectation. God help them. These things are always better when they sneak up on you. … Continue reading
Anatomy of a feint No.3
Sam Underhill’s running style is distinct. Indeed, it isn’t really a run, it’s a scamper. His shoulders are hunched, his body compact, perhaps from all of those lung puncturing tackles he makes. As he gallops, his head is pushed slightly … Continue reading
Old Eddie and the Sea
It was a test match of which Ernest Hemingway would have approved. A trial of colossal strength, of titanic willpower. The American loved his bloodsports, loved to see men arm-wrestle for hours on end, and Saturday afternoon had two heavyweights … Continue reading
Confessions of a No.7
My interview with Luke Wallace of Harlequins on RugbyPass
Babchenko-ing and the Boks
Babchenko. Soon to be a verb. As in, he’s babchenkoed himself on the end of that move. Meaning: assumed gone, only to appear alive and well to the surprise of everyone. If a commentator doesn’t describe a player babchenko-ing themselves … Continue reading
Double Dummy Scissors 