Tag Archives: england

Lights Out

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Sam Roberts

(The England Rugby team traipse back in after a 25-20 loss in Paris. Stuart Lancaster walks up the tunnel flanked by coaches Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell) Lancaster: Guys…? What the… ? Rowntree: … Farrell: … The, er… (Pause) Lancaster: … Continue reading →

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Out of the reckoning

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Sam Roberts

In the final few weeks before Rugby World Cup 2015, we are already walking across battlefields. International squads are being trimmed; 45 becomes 38, and will eventually become 31. Discarded bodies lie strewn about our path, they tried to make … Continue reading →

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Stuck in neutral

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Sam Roberts

And then there were four. The playoff semi finals. Of the twelve that started last September, full of expectation, two thirds have had their hopes dashed. Lots of supporters in the Premiership don’t have any supporting left to do. Without … Continue reading →

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Followship of the King

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Sam Roberts

“Oh bollocks!” says Stuart, his Earl Grey spilling into the saucer as he sets it down. In his other hand, his thumb scrolls furiously through Twitter as the copious rugby media outlets issue forth the news. “This is never going … Continue reading →

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Joué Nicholas, joué…

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Sam Roberts

Caught up I was; all of a tizz. Clermont knocked the stuffing out of the English Champions with a performance of rugby brilliance. It was top drawer, first rate, Michelin starred. The stadium was rocking, the tries were rolling in … Continue reading →

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The Colours On Your Mast

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Sam Roberts

Right, let’s nail some colours to the mast. I’m Welsh. As far as international rugby goes, I support the men in red. Yet, I don’t sound Welsh, I wasn’t born in Wales and I’ve never lived there. Many people think … Continue reading →

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Quoting Lombardi

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Sam Roberts

Boys are great aren’t they? All burps and skid marks, grazed knees and puzzled expressions. They bomb around, panting like bull mastiffs, struggling to get their words out as they tell you what’s just happened; happy to run anywhere, even … Continue reading →

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The Best Laid Plans

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Sam Roberts

Life can be strange. I know that’s a pretty vague and obvious way to start an article, but I never fail to be surprised by just how strange. Especially when it leads you down a particular path. We’ve all been … Continue reading →

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