Tag Archives: england

Babchenko-ing and the Boks

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Sam Roberts

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 →

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Lions, England and an unsatisfactory Six Nations

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Sam Roberts

To rest or not to rest, that is the question. Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at having so many Lions and a club system that just wants their players to play. England are trying to pick over the bones … Continue reading →

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When the hurly-burly’s done

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Hurly-burly indeed. If ever a word had been invented to describe the way Scotland would undo those bastard English in the 2018 Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield, Shakespeare had it. Impudent navy blue shirts dipped and rose poetically, like the words … Continue reading →

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Where things really matter

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Sam Roberts

I watched Elise Christie attempt and fail in her quest to win the 500m Speed Skating title at the Winter Olympics in South Korea on Tuesday. Like many I tuned in to see her lay a few demons to rest. … Continue reading →

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Picking a team, not players

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Sam Roberts

Many people are puzzling over upcoming England Rugby selections. The Six Nations is but weeks away and England are looking at an unprecedented hatrick of championship wins. Other narratives exist too; just how good are Scotland and Ireland; whereabouts are … Continue reading →

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The Team That Eddie Forgot

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Sam Roberts

Lions and England squad selections for this summer are spoken. The dust has settled. There have been some notable and pleasing inclusions. And yet for every Kyle Sinckler, there is a sinkhole; an equal and opposite reaction to being selected. … Continue reading →

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Times they are a changin’

Posted on February 5, 2017 by Sam Roberts

I think there needs to be a change. Whilst I fully understand why he was used, and indeed how it was successful, I think Dylan Hartley should not be the starting hooker for England against Wales. And starting him against … Continue reading →

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Up in the air

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Sam Roberts

As George North hit the deck on early Saturday evening and laid there motionless, many questions were being asked. Most it seemed centred around the Welsh winger’s cognitive health. Understandably so; he looked unconscious, for not the first time in his … Continue reading →

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Eddie Jones’ Diary – 26th October 2016

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Sam Roberts

26th October 2016 I’m back in my hotel room, another press conference done. I find all that smiling exhausting. Managed to get in the clown reference though. Cheika will have loved that. Must text him later. Is there a clown … Continue reading →

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Touching Wood

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Sam Roberts

Another Eddie Jones’ selection, another eyebrow raised. Tom Wood’s inclusion has people talking. In selecting the Northampton man, Jones knows he has made a surprising choice. In press conference, Jones talked about Wood’s work ethic and hair. “Tom Wood is like … Continue reading →

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