Before I get into the fallout, or otherwise, from the Six Nations let me bring you a few results. In Kent 1 Heathfield & Waldron lost to Ashford 22-25. I didn’t see that coming. The result means The Greenies stay in 6th now some 6 points behind us. Ashford are in 10th closing in on Deal & Betteshanger. They play each other next weekend.

Up in the National leagues it was a good day for Sevenoaks winning at Colchester. They remain in 11th but looking increasingly safe from the drop. Worthing on the other hand are looking increasingly doomed after losing heavily at Dorking. Have the wheels come off TJs steamroller. They lost, albeit by a single point, at Old Albanians. They remain top, and with a game in hand, it is still looking positive for promotion to National 1.

The full gressroots program of games returns next weekend. We host Beccehamian. Win with a bonus point, and we a step closer to guaranteeing 4th, I think!!

Congratulations to Bath. They lifted the Premiership Cup yesterday in what turned out to be a one-sided affair. Exeter played well enough, and luck didn’t go their way, but Bath were way too strong. I am not sure of the eligibility criteria but it didn’t look much like a second string Bath side. Hey Ho. My good friend Damper will be like a dog with two tails this morning, what with England destroying Wales on Saturday.

Congratulations also to Gloucester-Hartbury lifting the ladies version of the Prem Cup. A slightly less one-sided affair but from the bits I saw a full blooded contest. It augurs well for the Women’s Six Nations which starts on Saturday, and it’s covered in full by the BBC.

Amongst the gloom of Wales defeat, for me at least, there was a bright spot when it was announced the Six Nations will remain on terrestrial TV. ITV will pick up most games including all England’s fixtures.

Looking back to Saturday, how do you benchmark that England performance. Wales were poor, very, very poor. That said England’s dynamism in the contact area was mighty impressive. Without doubt the difference in size and power at the breakdown was crucial in England securing victory. What happened next was equally important. At last England played what was in front of them and not to a set pattern. Fin Smith used the ball wisely exploiting the space created by the forwards and setting free his backline. Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck were on the top of their game. This was a ruthless performance with Maro Itoje leading from the front. He has to captain the Lions.

Where do Wales go from here? That question has been asked over, and over again. The game in Wales is a shambles. We have a small pool to chose from, and those in the pool are physically small. I would scrap the 25 cap rule immediately. Let players play wherever, especially if that is in a better league where they can improve their game. Look at Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn now playing in Toulouse alongside global stars. He is a terrific player. You now have to give careful consideration to the number of regions. Newport, Cardiff and Swansea makes a degree of sense. Those with talent coming through the system have to be exposed to higher quality matches on a more regular basis. We have to find a way of retaining talent. Feyi-Waboso, and England Under 20 Tuipolotu are perfect examples of players that ‘got away’. There needs a clear long term plan with people at the top, especially the new DoR and coach buying into it for some time to come. For years Wales have punched above their weight. Saturday’s embarrassment has to be a line in the sand.

Whilst England have done well, France were worthy winners. The more I think about it how they played so badly in Twickenham against England beggars belief. France have also highlighted how the game is a game for monsters. Big, powerful beasts who can run and pass. Is that good for the game? I’m not sure, but when it is results that count, many won’t care.

Scotland and Italy come out with some credit in the bank. Scotland played well in Paris. Where are Ireland? In transition, but also in need of a reset. Made to look very ordinary by France, and struggling to put away a dogged Italy.

Plenty of proper news but when you are Welsh and support Leicester City, that depressing stuff will have to wait. Things are bad enough as they are.

Sunday 16th Mar: 08:45

After Wales Under 20s pulled off a stunning, totally well deserved, and Grand Slam crushing, defeat of England Under 20s on Friday night there was a degree of optimism that Wales might spring a surprise under the roof of the Principality on Saturday evening. It wasn’t to be.

Pre-match there was a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives in the 1950 aircrash. Post-match it wouldn’t have been out of place to have had a solemn eulogy about the death of Welsh rugby. This without doubt was one of the darkest days in the history of the game in Wales. Wales weren’t just beaten, they were humiliated in defeat.

Wales were poor but that is a small part of the story. England were excellent. Where was this fire, this level of control, this speed of thought against Ireland and France and Scotland. We got a glimpse of it against Italy but yesterday it finally all clicked into place. If you don’t win the contact areas then it is always going to be a long day. England dominated that area from the start and used the ball wisely. Fin Smith reinforced his Lions credentials. The early try was exactly what Wales didn’t need, and that set the platform for England to build from.

The scoreline flattered England slightly with a couple of ‘lucky’ tries, and the bounce of the ball didn’t go Wales way. Blair Murray had a try chalked off. Luke Cowan-Dickie pulled off a spectacular tap tackle. If the ball bounced left and not right Ellis Mee would have been over. To be fair all that is a bit churlish as England simply dominated. Jac Morgan should still make the plane to Australia but looking at how the Curry brothers, and Ben Earl played that isn’t guaranteed. Young Henry Pollock made quite an impact on debut, and whilst he came on when the game was already ‘done’ it was still an impressive contribution.

Smith M wasn’t as impactful as his namesake and therefore could well be dropping down the Lions pecking order. Maro Itoje reinforced his captaincy credentials. There isn’t much more I can say really. England were very good. Wales were poor.

It was then off to the Paris where Scotland gave a good account of themselves in a thoroughly enjoyable game. The French ran out worthy winners running in four tries to one. Except for the debacle in Twickenham they were the best side in the tournament. In terms of Lions selection Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn, Tom Jordan and Huw Jones all have to be in the mix.

Over in Italy Ireland did what they had too but were, in my mind, less than impressive. Eight weeks ago it was going to be Ireland (aka Lions) v Australia in July. That is far from assured now. Plenty from across the nations have put their hand up for consideration.

I’ll do a more considered review tomorrow, when I’m less depressed. To be honest it is only a game. No-one died

Before I go Hellingly beat our 2s 19-5 in the top of the table clash. We played well enough but it seems Hellingly were very well drilled and that was the difference.

OK, that’ll do for now as I have to find my black arm band to be worn with my Welsh shirt.

Thursday 13th Mar: 15:10

Here we go. The last round of the Six Nations and still anyone’s trophy to win or lose. To be strictly accurate Wales nor Italy are in the running for anything other than the wooden spoon.

Ireland have made a number of changes to their starting line-up including Kieran Crowley starting at #10, and Garry Ringrose (grrrr!!!) starting in the centre. Both Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne start despite being, wrongly, in the spotlight following Antoine Dupont’s injury. Unless someone can give me an insight I am missing I can only see this as one way traffic with Ireland winning at a canter. If Ireland are to lift the trophy they need to score a hat full of points and hope for other results to go their way.

Scotland have made a couple of changes ahead of the French game, including dropping Jonny Gray to the bench with Gregor Brown starting. I cannot see anything other than a French win. In front of the French hordes in the stands with the Marseilles being sung with gusto Scotland will be up against it. I haven’t yet seen the French side but anticipate it will be a 7-1 split on the bench.

France only need to win, ideally with the bonus point, to secure the title. It is likely that any win will do as their points difference is so superior to the chasing pack.

Matt Sherratt has been conservative with the changes. Jarod Evans doesn’t start, proving I know nothing. Aaron Wainwright does start ahead of Tommy Reffell. Against England I think this is a sound move. Joe Roberts plays out of position on the wing instead of the injured Tom Rogers. Nick Tompkins comes onto the bench. It is an otherwise unchanged squad.

Who will win. My fingers hover over the keyboard in trepidation………… England of course. Wales simply don’t have the fire power at England’s disposal. IF, and it is a massive IF, there were to be a shock then it will come as a result of England’s untried centre pairing failing to release the gas out wide, plus England not dominating the contact areas, plus Wales not making unforced errors, plus Wales keeping their discipline, and Wales getting across the whitewash early doors. So ….. England will win. One other factor might be the bench. If England has an Achilles heel, it is the two replacement props, and having a third outside half in the squad. So ….. England will win.

For England to lift the trophy France have to lose or draw against Scotland, or fail to get the bonus, and England thrash Wales by a huge score.

Right that’ll do for now other than to remind you the club is open. See website for details. Also to warn you if by some miracle Wales do triumph be ready for some long running, and unbridled smugness from this here blog. Don’t worry, England will win.

IF none of this of interest and you are looking for ‘proper’ rugby then Hellingly RFC is the place to be. They host our 2nd XV in a rearranged fixture. K.O. 14:30. A top of the table clash!!

Thursday 13th Mar: 09:30

Steve Borthwick hasn’t been swayed by the hacks at The Torygraph. He has been bold and selected Smith M at full-back. A tactical masterstroke, or a serious error of judgement. The Welsh were fearing the recall of Freddie Steward and an arial bombardment. As touted by many Tommy Freeman moves to centre with Tom Roebuck on one wing and Elliot Daly on the other. Ollie Sleightholme is absent.

There are changes in the forwards too with Luke Cowan-Dickie starting and Jamie George dropping to the bench. Tom Willis drops to the bench with Ben Curry starting alongside his brother. The inclusion of young Henry Pollock from Northampton on the bench is a surprise, but to be fair he has been ripping it up at Franklyn’s Gardens. Looking at the 6-2 bench it is obvious to me that Borthwick intends to use the giants on the bench in a similar way that Fabien Galthie has with France. Jack van Poortvliet and George Ford are the backs on the bench. Could England end up with three, yes three outside-halves on the pitch at any given time. Not sure that is going to work.

Going off at a tangent this is a good example of how the game is going in the wrong direction. I am sure England have Ben Earl lined up to play in the backs if required. The game is on a slippery slope to oblivion if it continues to see only giants as viable players.

Many in the media are touting this selection as ‘bold’ with England looking to ‘go for the jugular’.

No other team news at present.

The BBC have a piece where they outline what Garry Ringrose has gone through as a result of his red card. You almost want to get the violins out, but quite frankly it is complete and utter bullshit. Ringrose has missed just one game as a result of a hideous, badly executed tackle that could have seriously injured Ben Thomas. The article talks about tackle school, which quite frankly to those of us at the grassroots level who see players banned for longer for less find it an insult to a) our commitment to the game, and b) our intelligence. It is complete and utter nonsense that a top flight international player doesn’t know how to tackle. He will start on Saturday against Italy laughing all the way at the stupidity of those who run the game. There is a lawsuit going through the system right now. If I was dealing with it I would be using this case as an example of how the game has absolutely no regard for the safety of the players in their charge, nor any desire to change the levels of risk. Ringrose should have missed at least three matches. Proper matches, not games in which he could hypothetically have played in. In fact I would go as far to say that players in the top levels of the game should be harsher sentences than those at the grassroots, NOT softer ones.

This weekend will be another audition for those with Lions ambitions. In a bizarre piece The Torygraph are even touting Owen Farrell to come through on the rails and earn a spot. If that were to happen it would be nepotism of the worst kind.

The club will be open on Saturday for all the games. See the website for details.

Is there any hope of a ceasefire in Ukraine? Having worked in Russia, and dealt with Russians, I would suggest that they will say they want a ceasefire, put forward totally unrealistic demands, and then carry on as normal. The only way for that to change is a serious threat that can, and will be implemented against them.

Sir U-Turn has railed against the ‘flabby state’ that is the UK. He is not wrong, and something needs to be done about it. The civil service is a bloated money pit with far too many doing nothing but milking the taxpayer for thousands. Then you have the bone idle malingerers who don’t fancy going to work for a living. Of course there are also the charlatans who claim to be unable to work but quite frankly are lying in order to milk us the taxpayer for what they can get. Oh, and don’t forget the House of Lords, the local councils and of course the MPs themselves. If the UK was run like a decent business this would not be allowed to happen.

Wednesday 12th Mar: 09:35

The build up to the closing chapters of the 2025 Six Nations begins. Over in Paris there is a high degree of optimism, and so there should be. France put Ireland back in their box in some style last weekend. I expect France to stick with the 7-1 split on the bench (more on this in a moment) and lift the title with an equally convincing display against the Scots. Scotland won’t be a pushover, and their impressive back-line will give France something to think about, but it won’t be enough.

Let us not be ridiculous and consider anything other than a very convincing Irish win in Italy. The Italians beat a very, VERY poor Welsh side, and for a while ran Scotland close, but against the big beasts of France and England their were like lambs to the slaughter in the end. Ireland still have a chance of lifting the trophy and nothing but a convincing win will suffice for that to happen.

Then there is Cardiff. England will be buoyed by their string of recent wins, and some of the rugby they played against Italy. Sir Know-it-all has said England can win by 60 points. Two things. If Wales play like they did against Italy that is a very distinct possibility. That statement could however backfire and serve as yet another motivation for Wales to produce something magical. Wales cannot start against England as they did against Scotland. They have to be on it from the start. Where they will be vulnerable is under the high ball. The Welsh back three is not the biggest. England will start as clear favourites but if Wales can win sufficient ball at the breakdown, and keep England’s big men on the move, there is always a chance.

Both sides will be forced into changes. We’ll know the teams tomorrow so rather than guess what will happen I will comment on the facts when I have them. Sod it….. Jared Evans will start.

During the tournament Tommy Freeman has been adding to his credit bank. There is now talk of him moving into the centre. Will that be an option for Saturday?

Robert Kitson, writing in The Guardian, has commented on the growing propensity to go big on the bench. Yes I am referring to the now regular 6-2 split, and the more aggressive 7-1 split. No-one can argue that it didn’t have a significant impact on Saturday when France’s backup wildebeest strolled on to the field. It must be noted that some of them can run like gazelles. However, is it good for the game. Kitson argues that it isn’t. He points out that the days are numbered for the little guy with the dancing feet. He also points out that the game is becoming akin to American football with the entire pack being changed at one go. Here comes the special teams. There is nothing wrong with what France and others are doing but it is not good for the game in the long term. If, as I have consistently said, the game is to stay a game for all, and improve the spectacle, then the number of replacements has to be reduced. We should be encouraging players to be multi-positional, not one dimensional monsters. It’s well worth reading.

When I lived in Wales, for a while we lived not far from a place called Abercarn. There is a fascinating story on the BBC Sport website about a little known plane crash that took the lives of 80 of the 83 passengers aboard. The plane was returning from Ireland on 12th March 1950 after Wales had beaten Ireland. Some of the passengers were players from Abercarn RFC and many more from Llanharan RFC, two clubs I have played against. It is a fascinating story, one which until today I was unaware of.

No grassroots rugby this weekend so more Six Nations build-up lies ahead.

In the proper news the Ukraine situation is front and centre. If anyone thinks that despot Putin is going to ease off anytime soon their are severely mistaken. The loss of life on both sides is a tragedy.

Closer to home our Government is acting like a Stalinist regime. They are threatening land grabs from farmers, they have behind closed doors cut off farming subsidies, and that is on top of the heinous inheritance tax grab. It is class war at its worst.

Whilst all that is going on they talk tough on benefits and do 2/5ths of bugger all to solve the problem of people being allowed to see being bone idle as a lifestyle choice. They talk tough on immigration but allow the worst of the worst to stay in the UK, and do nothing to stop the ever increasing flow of illegals into the country. They talk about waste whilst setting up more and wasteful quangos, and allowing useless civil servants to live the life of Riley. Perhaps we need the odious Donald trump here in the UK afterall.

There you go mum. A proper rant this morning.

Tuesday 11th Mar: 09:20

Plenty of positivity around England’s performance on Sunday, and so there should be. It was a much improved performance. What does Steve Borthwick do with Marcus Smith, especially as a reshuffle is needed following Ollie Lawrences absence. I stick by my mantra, if Smith M is fit, I’d always play him. It would be extremely optimistic, even ridiculous to suggest Wales will beat England next Saturday, however those supporting England should remember the following.

They were lucky to beat a very under par French side. Scotland could (should) have won just a few weeks ago. Italy are not really a test. England were massively outplayed by Ireland in round 1. I anticipate an England win in Cardiff which will put England in 2nd place. However, is the run of wins going to be enough to propel England to long term, and prolonged success, as we have seen with Ireland?

Wales have suffered an injury blow with Tom Rogers breaking his thumb and Josh Adams not responding quickly enough to treatment on his hamstring. I anticipate Matt Sherratt will make a number of changes, including starting Jarod Evans, and Aaron Wainwright.

More tomorrow on the Six Nations finale.

I’ve looked at the latest league places and right now this provisionally is what will happen. Canterbury II will be promoted, as will Bromley as one of the best 2nd placed teams across all Level 7 leagues. Cranbrook and Charlton Park are set for the drop BUT that is dependent on Gravesend and Dartfordians being relegated, which right now is not guaranteed. I am pretty certain Old Elthamians will be promoted from Kent 2.

As it stands both Haywards Heath and East Grinstead will be relegated into Sussex 2. Uckfield will be promoted but into which league. If Kent 1 then that would mean C Park are definitely gone.

Looking at the other teams I regularly keep an eye on Chichester are in danger of being relegated into Hampshire 1. Horsham and Brighton are currently set to drop into Regional 2 South Central. Tunbridge Wells are currently safe, but only just.

Obviously this is only conjecture at the moment but based on the RFU London website this is as it stands.

Back to last weekend. The French are making a mighty fuss about Antione Duponts injury. I stick by my view, which I think is where many people are, it was an unfortunate rugby incident. Some with a Welsh eye patch are bemoaning the chalking off of Taulupe Faletau’s try. Sorry folks, it was absolutely the right decision, you cannot hurdle into a tackle, which is exactly what Blair Murray did.

Just had a quick look at The Torygraph rugby page. Their hacks have picked their England team for Saturday, and not one of them has picked Smith M to start. Bizarre.

One small rant about the RFU. Why do they continue to do a total disservice to the visiting team. All other nations will support the visiting anthem with a choir or a singer. England just play the anthem over the public address system. It is an insult.

I am horrified by the intensity of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. They have been emboldened since Trump came to power in the US. There is no justification for the slaughter of innocent civilians. Peace has to come.

Whilst I find Trump an odious character, and his modus operandi of bullying is not acceptable, I wholeheartedly agree with his war on illegal immigration, and the attack on pathetic woke policies. Right now there are plenty in the sensible media stating that if you are a white, male and straight in Britain you are untermensch. Look it up.

Monday 10th Mar: 10:10

Well, that was a better performance from England. A more expansive and cohesive game plan resulting in plenty of tries. More on this shortly.

It is Monday however and being a creature of habit that means a league round-up. In Kent 1 our 2 bonus points against a very good Bromley side keep us in 4th. Bromley move into 2nd as a result of Sevenoaks II losing 28-22 at Deal & Betteshanger. Cranbrook decided to put two fingers up to Canterbury II and conceded the game. Sadly Charlton Park made a similar decision and didn’t travel to Dover. It is a very sad indictment of the state of the game that two ‘HWO’ appear in this league. As expected the resurgent Beccehamian beat The Greenies 43-26. Beccs move into 5th and H&W RFC slip to 6th. They do have a game in hand. The other ‘surprise’ result was Park House losing at home to Ashford. Charlton Park and Cranbrook look set for the drop. Ashford might survive depended on who comes up and who comes down. Canterbury II will be promoted. Will Bromley also go up?

In Surrey/Sussex 1 a pretty grim day for the Sussex clubs with all four losing. Haywards Heath were well beaten by table topping Twickenham. Eastbourne lost at London Cornish. East Grinstead lost heavily at Old Rutlishians. Likewise Hove came away from Weybridge Vandals with their tails between their legs. The latest indication is Heath and Grinstead are set for the drop. Hove in 8th are strangely still not safe. Eastbourne are assured of Level 7 rugby in 6th.

In Sussex 2 it was a sad day as Hove II again pulled out of a fixture. Uckfield suffering this time. In the games that did go ahead Seaford won at Brighton II, Crawley beat Worthing III, Pulborough beat Ditchling by a lot, and Shoreham beat Lewes. Congratulations to Uckfield, they are promoted.

Elsewhere, in Kent 3 Hastings & Bexhill pummelled Tunbridge Wells II 68-5. TJs II are still top. In Hampshire 1 Bognor lost at Ellingham & Ringwood. They slip to 8th and not yet safe. Havant II are still perfect at the top.

In Regional 2 Chichester drew 22-22 at Guildford. Chi remain in 10th and perilously close to the drop. In Regional 1 it was no surprise that London Welsh put Horsham away. It was a surprise that Brighton won at Old Alleynians. It wasn’t a great day for Tunbridge Wells as they lost at home to Hammersmith & Fulham. Right now both Brighton and Horsham are in the relegation spots with TWells one place above them. London Welsh look set for promotion.

Before moving into the ether of the National Leagues it is worth noting in Kent 2 Old Elthamians, yes the former National League side are top, with Gillingham Anchorians in 2nd place.

It was a bad day at the office for Sevenoaks losing at home to Dorking. Worthing lost 35-36 at home to Oxford Harlequins. TJs fine winning run came to a shuddering halt losing 23-32 to Barnes. TJs are still top with a game in hand. Barnes are in 2nd. Sevenoaks are 11th. Worthing are now propping up the table. Still five games to go but a 14 point deficit to Havant in 12th is quite a gap.

I should have access to the latest promotion and relegation permutations tomorrow.

So back to England. Losing Ollie Lawrence is a blow to England and more importantly to Bath. Lawrence would surely have been in Lions contention too. What does Steve Borthwick do with Marcus Smith. He came on and again added the stardust that England have lacked for some time. A great try and lots of important carries. On the debit side he was shaky once or twice under the high ball, and a couple of missed tackles. England weathered the Italian early storm and when in top gear looked a much improved side. There is the risk that the magnitude of the win papers over the cracks that I believe are still evident in England’s game. They are however still in with a shout to win the trophy with only Wales standing in their way.

It is inconceivable that Wales will win next week, but the atmosphere in Cardiff, and the strength of feeling about Wales beating England it could, just could happen.

Oh, before I go, well done to our 2nd XV, beating St Francis 26-17. I think that means our 2s are top and possibly promoted.

Sunday 9th Mar: 09:50

For a range of reasons I didn’t make it to Bromley yesterday. Losing 38-31 to now 2nd place Bromley was a pretty good result. Two bonus points keeps in 4th which is an excellent place to be. I would also suggest that, having read The Bards blow by blow account, I might have been frustrated. Frustrated with our first half unforced errors. Frustrated with an alleged act of thuggery against Will Creasy not spotted by the referee. Frustrated by the referee full stop. Frustrated by the blaring music at every break in play.

To counter this it seems we stuck to our task and in the second half played some good rugby clawing ourselves back into the game. Well done boys. A rest week next weekend.

I’ll do a full league round-up tomorrow as normal.

As I stayed in the ‘Borough yesterday I managed to start the process of getting my garden summer ready. After the deluge of rain over the winter months no easy task, and we have a small garden. Naturally that all came to a halt just before 14:15 and Ireland v France.

Was this a classic to be kept for posterity? Not really. Was it a gripping affair worth watching? Absolutely. There have been plenty of accusations of Irish arrogance of late. Well, they were put in their place yesterday for sure. After the opening 20 minutes it seemed like the Grand Slam was Ireland bound. Then the table slowly but surely turned in favour of the French. Not even the early departure of Antoine Dupont could halt the forward progress of Les Bleus. The 7-1 split was put to the test and it passed. The impact the bench had in the second half was noticeable thus justifying the decision.

There is plenty in the paper about the Dupont injury. It will be interesting to see if there is any follow up. Was it an unfortunate rugby incident, which is where my head is at, or is it something much more unpalatable, a deliberate act.

Whilst Peter O’Mahoney, Connor Murray and Cian Healey have one more game in the green of Ireland to go, it was quite an emotional day for the trio. Sadly, being on the wrong side of the result was not the plan.

In terms of Lions watch, young Sam Prendergast continues to put himself in the frame for the Lions #10 shirt.

Before moving to Murrayfield I though Angus Garner had an excellent game in the middle. He was calm and precise. He kept the players and the crowd informed, and he kept the TMO and his popinjay linesmen in their place.

Up next was Scotland v Wales. The Welsh in hope of a win rather than expectation. The Scots overwhelming favourites. Wales were poor in that first half. They lacked cohesion and defensive alignment. The Scots played some delightful rugby scoring three very good tries and exploiting a Welsh moment of madness for a fourth. Thankfully for those wearing red the second half saw a much better contribution from Wales. Yes the Scots had taken their foot of the gas but Wales stuck to task by winning the second half 21-7. A small crumb of comfort but something to hang your hat on nevertheless.

Finn Russell was back to his best, Blair Kinghorn will be on the plane to Australia, and who would bet against Jones and Jordan being the test pairing.

If Jac Morgan is not heading down under after another outstanding performance in defeat there is something wrong with the selection process.

Scotland head to France where I think they will come off second best. Wales host England with several of my compatriots fearing a 50 point shellacking. Me, perhaps I need to lie down in darkened room, but I think Wales can pull off the shock of shocks and win that one.

England v Italy today. Being a masochist I might give that a swerve and watch Chelsea v Leicester City.

Thursday 6th Mar: 15:45

Now, I said I would do a blog today, but to be fair I didn’t say what time. Well, here we are mid-afternoon and I’m doing what I said. It has been a crazy morning with so much to do that time has simply run away from me.

As it happens I have all the team news for the weekend so that’ll save me a job tomorrow. England first. The headline of course is Marcus Smith being dropped to the bench. That is either the boldest of bold calls, or a moment of madness. There are many who expressed their doubts about Smith M at full-back so they’ll be happy. Me, I would want him in any side I was coaching. The game needs mavericks on the field. England need someone who is unpredictable. Fin Smith is a fine player but he is less impulsive and therefore fits more with Steve Borthwick’s risk averse approach to the game. Eliot Daly is a fine player but…… The other change is Henry Slade dropping out of the squad and being replaced by Fraser Dingwall. That is not a bad shout being Saints team-mates with Smith F, and Slade hasn’t really set things alight. I expect an easy England win and all will be well in the world…… except for the cracks that have been papered over.

Wales go to Scotland with the same starting XV who ran out against Ireland. Gareth Anscombe has been declared fit. The only changes are on the bench where Dewi Lake returns, hoorah, and Kieran Assiratti replaces Henry Thomas. Not a lot more needs to be said really, other than to point out that this is first time since 2019 that Wales have selected an unchanged side.

Darcy Graham returns to the starting XV after his concussion. That is the only change to the Scottish lineup following their defeat at Twickenham. I hate to say it but I think Scotland have the edge so all pressure is on them. Wales go in hope rather than expectation. I think this will be a fast open game.

Ireland have been forced into changes. The absence of Garry Ringrose following his (pathetic) ban means Bundee Aki starts. Caelan Doris returns to lead the team. The Aussie Mack Hansen is out injured so Jamie Osborne goes onto the wing, and Keenan to full-back. Simon Easterby has been bold with a 6-2 bench split.

France make changes too. Back are Romain Ntamack and Damien Penaud. There are other changes in the pack but this is still a physically big side. France are sticking with a 7-1 split on the bench, which for such a high profile game is a risk. Both sides have bags of experience on the bench. This game is too tight to call. Will home advantage count, or will France build on their demolition of Italy and be too good. We’ll know soon enough.

Closer to home we travel to high flying Bromley on Saturday. Sadly I can’t make this one but I would suggest we need to be on our A game if we are to get anything out of the encounter. The Greenies are at a resurgent Beccehamian. That’s no gimme. Of those behind us Dover will certainly close the gap as they host Charlton Park.

In Surrey/Sussex 1 Eastbourne look favourites to get a result. They travel to London Cornish. Haywards Heath host table topping Twickenham.

In Sussex 2 Uckfield will beat Hove II if Hove II bother to turn up. Shoreham v Lewes should be good contest.

Tunbridge Wells should prevail with 10th placed Hammersmith & Fulham their opposition.

The world is going mad. The French refusing to rescue migrants from a sinking boat IN French territorial waters. The Government proposing transgender and ethnic minorities are given smaller sentences than all other criminals. Donald Trump has, there are too many things that nutcase has done to write about. Another mindless shooting in lawless London. Judges continue to allow serious criminals to stay in the UK for the most spurious of reasons.

And

Wales might beat Scotland on Saturday.

Tuesday 4th Mar: 09:50

I have some good news. Firstly our Sam Bennett is fine. He went to Pembury A&E as a precaution but it turned out he suffered whiplash and soft tissue damage around the neck. He will be out for a couple of weeks. Sadly his shirt wasn’t quite so lucky. It didn’t make it. May the 22 shirt rest in peace.

Deal & Betteshanger’s Dominic Taylor is also fine. He suffered a diabetic incident after ‘running out of steam’, not surprising because he put in a big shift. After he had the necessary electrolytes and sugar top up he was fine….. if his enjoyment of the post match drinks was anything to go by.

As expected my good friend Liberty, who has the brain of a small planet, has produced a spreadsheet looking at all the games to come, and the points each team could accrue as a result. He has Canterbury II top and promoted. Sevenoaks II in 2nd and Bromley well clear in 3rd. He puts us in 4th and The Greenies in 5th. Where the permutations could change significantly centres around Beccehamian. The Greenies have them away next, and we have them at home on the 22nd. It is likely those two games will decides who finishes 4th, 5th and 6th. In any of the scenarios none of us are going to be relegated so we can renew the rivalries next season.

Is Rugby’s discipline process fit for purpose. I know there are many, many people up and down the land who give their time freely for the discipline cause but I guess they might be asking the same question.

Here is why it is broken. Garry Ringrose smashes into Ben Thomas with a head on head contact. Was it intentional? No, but it was VERY reckless. Was it dangerous? Yes, VERY! Should he have been given a straight red card? Yes, but he wasn’t. Did he get a red card? Yes, and as a consequence needed to be punished with a ban.

By comparison I know that a player at level 8, one below CRFC, was shown a yellow card for a bit of dust up with an opposition player. Yellow was correct. Later in the game the referee was losing patience with his side for persistent offending. When said player then committed a ‘croc-roll’ preventing the opposition from gaining possession in the red zone the referee had had enough. Another yellow card equals a red.

So, is the following right?

The level 10 player gets an automatic one match ban for two yellow cards, both being foul play offences.

Garry Ringrose, top flight international gets a one match ban for an incident that on a different day could have put Ben Thomas in hospital. His sanction was 6 matches down to 3 because he grovelled in front of the panel. The IRFU claimed that he was eligible to play for Leinster against Cardiff last weekend, a game he was NEVER, EVER going to play in. Then he, a highly paid, highly trained player gets another week off to go ‘tackle school’. So in essence he gets a one match ban. Yes it is a huge match but it is only ONE match.

So, is the the discipline process broken? Answers to Bleater@crowboroughrugby.com.

As it happens the French have picked up on this too, especially after Ntamack was not allowed to take into consideration a match for Toulouse.

What have the Americans unleashed on us. The big orange bully has now pulled all funding for Ukraines war effort, and despite his praise for Sir U-Turn is now threatening tariffs on the UK. The man is a schizophrenic psychopath from the top drawer. All can I say is ‘what dirt does Putin have on Trump?’ It must be something really good for Trump to become the Russian despot’s puppet.

That’ll do for today. No blog tomorrow as I’m busy, busy, busy but back on Thursday and Friday with match previews and predictions.

Oh, and for my dear old mum. Matthew got into Cranbrook School, and Verity into South Wilts Girls Grammar. Well done my clever grandchildren.

Monday 3rd Mar: 09:20

I’ve not yet been able to find out how the two injured players from Saturday’s game at Steel Cross are. Our hopes for a full and speedy recovery are unwavering.

It’s a gorgeous Monday morning so let me crack on with the league round-up. Our 22-3 win keeps us in 4th spot behind Bromley in 3rd who narrowly defeated H&W RFC 11-16. That’s a tight game over there at Cross-in-Hand. The Greenies slip to 6th after Beccehamian put Cranbrook to the sword. Dover remain in 7th after losing 43-19 at table topping Canterbury II. Sevenoaks II stay 2nd after their relatively easy home win over Park House. In the final game in Kent 1 Ashford beat Charlton Park. I am pretty certain with just three games to go Charlton Park will be relegated.

Tomorrow I might do a hypothetical look at the final table, but then again I might not. I know my good friend Liberty has probably already done that.

In Surrey/Sussex 1 Haywards Heath did their chances of staying up some good beating Hove 24-38. They remain 10th but those above them have a game in hand. East Grinstead were not so fortunate losing 34-18 at Trinity. They remain in 11th some 9 points behind Heath. Eastbourne enjoyed a fine win 24-17 over Cobham cementing their place in 6th and surely safe from relegation. We play Eastbourne twice in April, once in the slice of pizza cup, then in the Bob Rogers Cup Final. 12th and 26th I think. Twickenham top this league with Old Haileyburians propping everything up.

In Sussex 2 it looks as if Uckfield are in cruise control heading towards promotion. They beat Pulborough 27-20 and are now 13 points clear at the top. In the other games Crawley lost to Shoreham, Ditchling lost to Worthing III, Hove II got hammered by Brighton II, and finally Lewes beat Seaford in what I understand was a hotly contested local derby.

A quick mention of our 2nd XV before moving on. Their game was abandoned before a ball was passed. The poor referee pulled a fetlock in the warm up and couldn’t take to the field. I understand there was an offer of an alternative but he’d been in the bar since noon, allegedly.

In Hampshire 1 we find Bognor beating Gosport & Fareham 41-18. They are now in 7th so seemingly well clear of the drop zone. Havant II remain perfect at the top making a mockery of the league structure. My old club Trojans are looking doomed in 11th.

In Regional 2 Chichester lost 21-26 to Bournemouth. They are in 10th but Guildford are just 3 points behind them. Andover are relegated. Farnham are top with breathing space between them and Bournemouth.

In Regional 1 it was an interesting day with bottom place Brighton beating Maidenhead 44-22. Brighton still look set for the drop but never say never with three games left. Horsham lost 29-39 to Wimbledon keeping them in 11th and a little adrift. Tunbridge Wells aren’t guaranteed safety as they sit in 9th after losing 14-17 to Bracknell. The games ahead look favourable so I see them picking up 10 of the next 15 points, but there again what do I know. London Welsh remain top with Jersey in 2nd.

Up where the sun shines and the costs are crazy we find Worthing losing at Henley moving them to the foot of the table. Sevenoaks lost at Oxford Quins. They are 11th in this 14 team league. TJs beat Westcombe Park to stay clear at the top with a game in hand.

Ok, so to Bridgnorth who lost at home to Bromsgrove, and Salisbury who enjoyed a fine win over Corsham.

I’ll look at the URC and Prem Cup tomorrow, if I can be bothered.

The memes flying around following the Trump - Zelensky WWE bout are very entertaining but sadly represent what is going. The orange face bully seems to be under the spell of the despot-in-chief Putin, which is a terrifying thought. How that meeting in Washington was handled was a disgrace. We in the UK, and Europe in general, should be very afraid. Putin has been given a free pass and that could spell serious trouble for the World, and what is next for Taiwan with China now seemingly immune from sanctions.

Sunday 2nd Mar: 09:25

On Monday last week Steel Cross was more like Dunorlan Lake than a rugby pitch. Thankfully with a period of dry weather ensuing, and some hard work by the Friday Club, the pitch was playable come Saturday. A bit heavy, and very well sanded, but perfectly playable. This came as a relief to the many attending the Sponsors Lunch. The place was packed with a quiet air of expectation for a good game.

Before that our President, not the dickhead in the USA, but ours, a thoroughly decent human being, thanked the sponsors for their invaluable contribution allowing us to support rugby from under 6s to the senior side. Special mention was made of our growing women and girls section. Lunch was superb, thank you Jacqui, and the service excellent, thank you Louise and all the team.

So to the game, which was played under something that many of us hadn’t seen for some time, a bright blue sunlit sky. We started much the stronger with long periods of pressure. Pressure which was plagued with sloppy passing and unforced errors. Despite our dominance it was Deal & Betteshanger who eventually got the scoreboard moving after a their first foray into our half. An unnecessary infringement and D&B were 3-0 to the good.

The game became a more even contest with both defences working well, but it was still ‘Borough who had the upper hand. Finally the boys got their act together with the forwards now playing as a unit and the backs making passes stick. The large and vociferous home crowd were treated to a long range try with Sam Marchesi finding the speedy Will Pitman out wide. On went the afterburners and before D&B knew what had hit them Marchesi was back in support for the try.

It wasn’t long before the score moved onto 12-3 after Josh Jarvis split open the D&B defence like a hot knife through butter to canter over from about 50 metres out. Our visitors continued to test our defensive line but it remained intact. No missed first up tackles, something that has plagued the ‘Borough in seasons past. D&B were also resolute in defence keeping the score at 12-3 at the break.

A break which was extended as Crowborough’s Sam Bennett was treated for a serious looking injury with him being removed from the field on a stretcher to await further medical attention.

Whilst D&B weren’t playing badly, with their mercurial outside half and powerful centre keeping us honest, we were now exerting a degree of control. The scrum was working well, and the lineout a source of good ball. It wasn’t too long before we extended the lead. With many old fogeys like me suggesting going for the posts was the option Marchesi had different ideas. No sooner had the penalty in front of the posts been awarded, he tapped and went catching the retreating D&B off guard. 17-3.

It was man of the match, in my opinion, Sam Marchesi who extended the lead further as the clock ticked away toward full time. The Crowborough pack now in control at the scrum refused both a kick at goal and a lineout for the scrum. With the pressure on and D&B in reverse the whipper snapper at #9 picked up, darted around the blind-side for his third, and ‘Borough’s bonus point try.

Sadly with minutes to go D&B’s flanker suffered another serious looking injury. As there were only minutes to go, both captains with the support of the referee, Paul Shepherd, who had a very good game, made the sensible decision and brought the game to its conclusion.

Crowborough stay in 4th but with three tough games to come, including away next week at high flying Bromley, will it stay that way?

As I type I have no news on either of the injured players but our thoughts are with them for a full and speedy recovery.

League round-up tomorrow, and maybe, just maybe, a mention of that complete and utter dickhead over there in the swamp that is the U. S. of A.

Thursday 27th Feb: 09:55

As it is a Six Nations fallow week there isn’t a great deal of rugby news across the media. The one story that did catch my eye was about Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. He is now out for the rest of the season following shoulder surgery. Exeter’s Rob Baxter is a seriously unhappy bunny about that. The central contracts deal was supposed to help manage England players health and fitness by carefully managing their workload. Well that seems to have gone out of the window. The nub of the argument centres around Exeter’s view that the player was in need of surgery at Christmas. England argued differently, I guess, in the hope of him being fit for the Six Nations. A training incident exacerbated the situation and now he is out for the season. Steve Borthwick has put up a robust defence, but in my mind the England camp have screwed up with the players best interest NOT top of the agenda. We’ll se how this one develops.

Grassroots rugby is back. Steel Cross is the place to be. Deal & Betteshanger are our guests. We lost narrowly at their place in somewhat controversial style. The longest ever ‘last play’ on record. Kick off is at 15:00. The 2nds travel to Hellingly. Before looking at the rest of the fixtures I should have mentioned on Sunday that Shoreham conceded the Bob Roger’s semi-final. We go into the final at Steel Cross where Eastbourne will be our opponents.

Across Kent 1 there are some fascinating games. The Greenies host high flying Bromley. That will be one tough game. Dover are at Canterbury II. If we can win and The Greenies and Dover lose that will cement our place in 4th, for the time being at least. Beccs should win at Cranbrook keeping them in the hunt for a top half finish. Sevenoaks II host Park House. To complete the list Ashford host Charlton Park. Our friends from South East London looked doomed but I for one hope they can get a couple of wins under their belt before the season ends.

In Surrey / Sussex 1 the pick of the games has to be Hove v Haywards Heath. A home win could mean them staying up. An away loss for Heath will keep them deep in relegation trouble. East Grinstead have a tricky trip to Trinity. Nothing but a win will do. Eastbourne host Cobham. That won’t be easy.

In Sussex 2 the game of the day has to be Uckfield v Pulborough. A home win all but secures promotion for our good neighbours.

Plenty of other action but I am going to jump into Regional 1. Brighton host Maidenhead, Horsham host Wimbledon and Tunbridge Wells host Bracknell. On form away wins look the order of the day but I fancy both Horsham and TWells to triumph. We’ll know on Saturday evening.

Plenty of URC and Premiership Cup to keep us interested. Bath v Quins tomorrow evening. Don’t forget the Super Rugby across tomorrow and Saturday.

No blog tomorrow as there is no team news to bring you. Back on Sunday.

Before I go it’ll be interesting to see how the limp lettuce gets on in the fight against the orange bully. Yep Sir U-Turn is in the USA where he meets Donald Trump. If we can avoid tariffs, unlike the EU which has just had 25% slapped on all imports, then that would be a win. Us sabre rattling is a joke when you consider the news about the additional investment in defence will be blown when the lettuce hands over billions to the Mauritian Goverment. China will be laughing at our ineptitude all the way to Taiwan.

It makes my blood boil when even though I’m not working I’m paying tax. That isn’t the worst of it when I read half a million people claiming sick benefit have NEVER worked. We really are a joke.

Then there is the Manchester tented camp in the city centre. Here’s an idea. Question 1: have you arrived in the UK legally in order to claim asylum. Answer: No. Then the solution is simple, you put them on a bus to the now empty Doncaster airport and fly them back to whence they came.

Have a nice weekend.

That should get me cancelled!!!!

Wednesday 26th Feb: 09:45

Morning all. Not a great deal to write about this morning other then Trump-Zelensky and the war in Ukraine. Plus Sir U-Turn’s, and dare I say it, bold decision to cut the foreign aid budget and increase spending on defence. However, being a rugby website I better bring you the snippets I have.

Dewi Lake looks as if he will be brought back into the starting XV against Scotland following his absence through injury. To be fair Lake is one of the few Welsh players who is genuinely world class.

Garry Ringrose will know his fate on Thursday morning. He has been called to the headmaster’s office where he will face a charge under regulation 19-9.13 - dangerous tackle. This starts at 6 matches but can be reduced by 50% if he gives a grovelling apology. He could save another match by going to tackle school, which is a FFFFNNNN disgrace with a capital ‘F’. It is an embarrassment to the game that those exalted athletes can put another players life at risk by smashing into them at high speed and all they get by way of punishment is a 2 match ban, and an under 12 lesson in tackling.

Sam Warburton is right. If you are going to persevere with the thugs charter, aka 20 minute red card, then the punishments have to be hardened up. If not, nothing will change.

Oh, and I wonder if the IRFU will try the ruse that says Ringrose would have been available for the Leinster fixture against Cardiff on Saturday. If that happens then the game has lost all sense of integrity.

South Africa’s Stephen Kitshoff has been forced into an early retirement due to a serious neck injury. The twice World Cup winner suffered a life threatening injury playing for Western Province, which following surgery has meant his time in the game is done. A real shame because he was a player of real quality.

Robert Kitson, The Guardian, has produced a piece about the perennial debate on player eligibility. As always it is well balanced, but for once I disagree with him. Even though the residency rule has moved to five years certain changes have been made meaning mercenaries might actually find it easier to become eligible. The simple act of signing for a professional club sets the clock ticking. Nonsense. Equally nonsensical is allowing players who have been capped for one country to play for another after a fallow period of three years. This was intended to help the South Sea Island nations but that hasn’t worked. There is also mention of transfer fees. Should a a union or club receive a transfer when a player moves when that player has spent their formative years there. It is a good piece as always.

As it happens, I think where a club who is eligible to pay players in England takes a player from a club in a lower league where payment of players is prohibited a transfer fee should apply. That could make the pillaging of lower league clubs less attractive.

The Torygraph bring us the news that Labour’s class war attack on private schools is an ‘existential threat’ to English rugby. Recent articles have highlighted the role the posh schools system plays in developing/producing players for England. If, as is the case, cuts are made, or worse schools fold, then that production line could be under threat. Sport across the board will suffer as the costs of peripatetic sports staff will be an easy target for the axe.

Oh, I should have attributed some of yesterday’s blog, the bit about booing at Twickenham, to The Torygraph.

Busy, busy, busy. A preview of the weekend tomorrow.

Before I go, despite what the hand-ringers will say, cutting the foreign aid budget was the right thing to do. How can you justify giving so called aid to say India when India plough millions into space exploration. It makes no sense. By the way, if it is that easy to make cuts then please have a go at the swollen benefits budget, and of course the outrageously wasteful civil service. There is more than few million there that could go into social care.

Tuesday 25th Feb: 10:00

The reviews of last weekend’s Six Nations continues, and they are WAY more interesting than my oven door saga. It has come to light that Finn Russell was forced to take that crucial last minute kick in the wrong spot. The referee was adamant, but he was wrong. Russell could have been a further 2 metres in from the touch. Hey ho.

Plenty in the papers about England. It is clear that the pundits are finding it difficult to be euphoric about two wins on the trot, and a piece of silverware. They recognise England were very lucky in both games, but the big concern is the lack of flair, invention, creativity and spontaneity. I call it rugby by numbers. One of the papers has the headline ‘England fans must end the toxicity and savour a rare Calcutta Cup victory’. Indeed that is correct, but as you read through the article you quickly get to the nub of the issue. That issue is of course ticket prices. ‘Fans have shelled out lots of cash - a scandalous amount, for my money - to attend Twickenham as well as everything else which goes into the match day experience and when they arrive, they want this to be the match where they are entertained’. They are not being entertained, in fact, as my brother, the really good player, reiterated yesterday, a lot of what England had to offer was boring. Whilst winning is the big prize, the sides that win the most are not the boring predictable sides, they play what is in front of them. I’m afraid right now England are hamstrung by a spreadsheet mentally in the coaches box.

By way of contrast Wales lost their 15th game on the trot on Saturday. An absolutely disgraceful position to be in. The fans leaving the Principality were happy however. They had witnessed a side who put body and soul into the game and were entertained. They didn’t know what to expect and as the game continued, for long periods, nor did Ireland. That is what the average Joe who has handed over upwards of £156 wants from an England side.

Now, before I am lambasted and inundated with hate mail from my English friends, can I reiterate winning is what people want. England have delivered two of those. None of us in the game want to be bored, but equally we don’t the game to become WWE, where entertainment is everything, (and fabricated).

Moving on. The Lions tour gets ever closer. One of the questions is ‘who will captain the side’. Right now, Caelan Doris, Maro Itoje and Jac Morgan are all in the frame. I think Itoje is the safest choice because Andy Farrell has a veritable cornucopia of back row to pick from.

Who caught the eye last weekend. In the propping department you have to pick out Nicky Smith, Will Stuart and the surprise package WillGriff John. Ellis Mee impressed on the wing for Wales but he is a VERY long shot. Not such a long shot, in fact if he continues his current trajectory, Sam Prendergast will start the 1st test. In the centre you have to take note of Bundee Aki’s contribution, but Max Llewellyn and Scotland’s Tom Jordan made statements. Fin Smith is gaining fans across the piece

Sadly Alex Mitchell did himself no favours. Poor decision making. What do you do with Marcus Smith? Has the move to full-back scuppered his chances? Whilst Andrew Porter is likely to tour, he was done up like a kipper by Nicky Smith. Finn Russell dropped down the pecking order. His kicking is off, and on a Lions tour kicking goals is crucial.

England and maverick fly-halves. Staurt Barnes and Danny Cipriani spring to mind. Two mercurial players who never toed the line. They didn’t get the game time they deserved because of their on-field maverick tendencies. Is Marcus Smith going to be added to that list. Whilst there were times on Saturday where I thought having both Smiths on the field worked. Having now revisited the game I am not sure Marcus is the best person at #15. So what do you do? You don’t drop Fin for sure. Thoughts??

Grassroots rugby returns this weekend. Deal & Betteshanger for us. The boys are going to have to pull out all the stops with regard to the pitch. The rain has been relentless. I defy any groundsman to have done any better than the Friday Club. Wealden clay is a nightmare.

The Met Police seem to have given up on managing crime in London. Who’s fault is that? Sadiq Khan’s is the answer. He has failed to invest and support the Met. He has diverted money into his pet woke, vanity projects and steadfastly refuses to make fighting crime a priority. He has allowed a working from home culture to pervade the organisation when people want boots on the street. If he spent less time on shafting motorists and more time on tackling crime London would be a better place. As a capital city it is a disgrace.

Monday 24th Feb: 10:00

I have to start with Italy v France. That was some bounce-back by France after the performance against England. Italy started well, and for a while it looked as if this was going to be close game. Then the relentless pressure and undoubted skill told with France running in tries at will in the end. On any other day we’d be eulogising about the quality of Menocello and Brex’s tries and how Italy played some attractive, open rugby. However France’s 11 tries was some statement ahead of the showdown with Ireland in a couple of weeks time. That is definitely a game not to be missed.

Some of the French support play was outstanding, et le petit general a neuf led from the front. Backs and forwards linked seamlessly, and when you have gas out wide the inevitable happens. Only two of the conversions were missed and that is another thing the Irish need to be concerned about. When you have a kicker like Ramos you cannot concede penalties in kickable positions. In Ramos case that is anywhere within 50 metres of the uprights.

I’m not sure I like the six-one split on the bench, nor the mass substitutions, but there is nothing in the regulations that say it is wrong. Being an old fuddy-duddy it just doesn’t look right. Or in corporate bo!!oc4s; ‘the optics aren’t right’. I want the number of subs reduced, full stop.

Plenty of comment on England’s game. England won, and after a string of losses you would have thought that would be enough. Actually no it isn’t. A former England international, and a former England Colts captain, both having coached sides internationally, were pretty scathing about England’s tactics. ‘Dour’, ‘straight-jacketed’, ‘safety first’, ‘boring’, no imagination or spontaneity’ are all words or phrases used. Even Will Greenwood has commented: ‘I left Twickenham deflated - England just play no rugby’. Brian Moore was more upbeat: ‘It is better England are lucky and win than play good rugby’.

I can see both sides of the argument. Winning is important. However, when you have paid upwards of £150 for a ticket you want a bit me joie de vivre from your side. You don’t want rugby by numbers when you can predict what is going to happen at each phase of the game. If some of the hooray Henry’s in the stand can work it out you can guarantee the opposition will be way ahead of them. England were lucky against France, and lucky against Scotland. All that will be forgotten however if they beat Italy and Wales.

My good friend Colin has been in touch. He was a good player in his day. Anyway, thank you for the support about the 20 minute red card. It is a thugs charter, and plenty with way more rugby credentials than mine, anything above zero really, are now saying it is wrong. Colin also brings to my attention an unintended consequence of loosening the lineout laws. If the opposition don’t compete the ball can go in not straight. Scotland seemed to have exploited this with aplomb. A low, flat, fast throw-in, only just over the 5 metre line, and off they go. It would look as if England didn’t compete so play-on. The blazers have cocked up again me thinks. As Colin says with the ball at the scrum now going in under the second rows feet, and the lineout no longer a contest, when will the game be reduced to 13-a-side. Entertainment is all well and good, but the altering the integrity of the game isn’t a good thing.

It’s been a weekend of correspondence. My good friend The Bard has sent me an article from The Times. It highlights how the sanctimonious Labour party, and the lily-livered snivelling civil servants and running amok on the gravy train. Taxpayers money being spent on all sorts of stuff. One of the worst offenders was David Lammy’s department spending in excess of £500,000 on restaurants and bars. That’s close to 1700 pensioners who could have been given a winter fuel payment. All politicians are bunch of shisters. Me, me, me and sod the rest of you. Making matters worse is none of them have any experience of real life. Despite their ‘woe is me’, they’re all hypocrites. Pampered hypocrites too boot.

Now, I try and bring you a considered insight into rugby, and things beyond, including the suffering that comes with being a Leicester City supporter. So why doesn’t it surprise me when I get an email asking for more details about the oven door. So, on Saturday whilst taking the boeuf bourguignon out of the oven my hand slipped and some slopped onto the oven door. I had to wait until yesterday when the oven was cool before cleaning. As simple, and as boring as that. Actually, having taken the door off, stripped it of its glass components, and given it a good going over, it is now spotless.

Sunday 23rd Feb: 10:20

After yesterday’s win at Twickenham those with the (red) rose tinted glasses on will be thinking about how England can kick on and win the Six Nations. Only Italy and Wales lie in wait. However, those with a more pragmatic and sensible outlook will be saying: ‘we were lucky, very lucky against France, and we dodged a bullet against Scotland’.

Indeed they did. If Finn Russell had slotted that last minute conversion the hacks and the supporters would be writing, and saying very different things. Three very good tries, to one very suspect try speaks volumes. England for long periods lacked the je ne sais quois in attack, and when Scotland got their A game into full swing they cut England’s defence apart. As is always the case during these big games WhatsApp is pinging away with erudite, and not so erudite comments. At one point the message was ‘sorry to ping another message but this boring’ (or something like that). It was. At times England looked as if they were playing according to Steve Borthwick’s copious spreadsheets. Kicking for the sake of kicking, and not necessarily kicking well.

However, and I guess this is what is important, England won, picking up the Calcutta Cup and keeping their h