Heineken Cup Round 5: Previews and Predictions

It's another huge weekend of Heineken Cup rugby with quarter-final places well and truly up for grabs.  As ever, here are my previews of the key games and predictions for the rest.

Toulon v Munster


This is a do-or-die game for Munster who are on the verge of missing out on the quarter-finals for the first time since 1998. If Toulon win they will top the pool which would deny Munster a straight passage into the last eight for the 13th consecutive season. Therefore it’s not overstating it when I say there is massive pressure on the visitors but Munster will take heart from last season’s trip to Perpignan. Their 37-14 win in the south of France shows what the men from Limerick can do when their backs are against the wall. Paul O’Connell is available for selection after serving his four-week ban for a flailing arm/face slap and could make his first start in nearly a year. If Munster are to come away from the Stade Mayol with a win the key area they need to tighten up on is discipline. They must reduce the number of penalties they give away and read how the referee is policing the breakdown and adapt their game accordingly. If they fail to do this and a certain Mr Jonny Wilkinson is wearing Toulon’s number 10 shirt they will be punished by multiples of three points all afternoon. Will the sum of Munster’s parts and wily ways be stronger than the superstars of big spending Toulon? It’s time for le crunch.

My prediction: It’s a really tough one to call. Munster always seem to pull it out of the bag when it matters the most so I’m going for Munster by 7.

Ulster v Biarritz

Ulster haven’t qualified for the last eight since they won the Heineken Cup in 1999. If Biarritz come out on top at Ravenhill the French side will top the pool making this another winner takes it all game. Stuart Barnes claimed this match is the biggest game for Ulster this century and I don’t think he is wrong. The home side claimed back-to-back wins over Bath in the previous two rounds to stamp their authority on this pool. However, Biarritz have won four of their last six away games to shatter the much peddled line that French teams are useless on the road. They also notched up an impressive 65-22 win over Agen last weekend. So will Ulster go into this game as favourites? Back-row Stephen Ferris is one of the key men for the Irish province with his pace from the base of the scrum. Half-backs Ian Humphreys and Ruan Pienaar will also have pivotal roles and have been a sensational combination for Ulster this season. However, this week they will once again face the guile, genius and amazing kicking game of scrum-half Dimitri Yachvilli. Clash of the day will no doubt be South African Pienaar versus the diminutive Frenchman.

My prediction: I’m not enjoying making my predictions this week. I would flip a coin to decide but it would probably land on its edge. I’m going to say Ulster by 4.

Scarlets v Leicester

Last weekend, Leicester reasserted their position of the top of the Aviva Premiership with a 27-16 win over Northampton Saints. The Scarlets are also in good shape and are currently second in the Magners league. When the West Walians travelled to Welford Road earlier in this competition, the ever hospitable Tigers served up a 46-10 thumping, running their visitors ragged in a six-try hammering. However, there is a certain hoodoo hanging over this game from a Leicester perspective: If the Scarlets win on Saturday they will knock Leicester out of the Heineken Cup at the pool stages for the second year in a row. Tigers fans, are you nervous? The West Walians have been playing well in the Heineken Cup this season, topping their pool after the first four rounds and scoring some sublime tries. However, they will need to combine their brand of attractive, expansive rugby with a hard, physical edge if they are to beat the Tigers and stack the odds in their favour of progressing to the quarter-finals for the first time in four years. Can Leicester be as good away from their fortress in the East Midlands?

My prediction: Leicester have hit their stride but the Scarlets are playing some scintillating rugby. I’m going to stick my neck out and say Scarlets by 8.

Glasgow v London Wasps

Wasps are two points behind reigning champions Toulouse in Pool 6 and are gunning for qualification. However, a defeat for the Londoners means Toulouse will top the pool ahead of their trip to Adams Park, making this a must win game for Wasps if they want to keep their dreams of qualification alive. Can the Aviva Premiership side put away one of arguably the weaker teams in the Magners league this weekend? In the 17-10 loss to Quins seven days ago, Wasps had the lion’s share of the possession in the second-half but failed to convert it into points. It was a massive cause for concern for coach Shaun Edwards and as a result Dave Walder has to start in order to give Wasps their best possible chance of winning this crucial clash. Back-row forward Andy Powell has won much deserved praise for his performances in the past couple of weeks and if Wasps can shore up their scrum then the scintillating pace of scrum-half Joe Simpson, a new call up to England’s EPS squad, will rip Glasgow to shreds.

My prediction: I realise I’ve not mentioned Glasgow at all in the preview of this game – for good reason. I think Wasps will win this one easily. Wasps by 15.

Here are my predictions for the rest:

Cardiff Blues v Castres – Cardiff by 12.

Clermont Auvergne v Racing Metro 92 – Clermont by 6.

Northampton v Edinburgh – Northampton by 14.

Bath v Aironi Rugby – Bath by 16.

Benetton Treviso v Perpignan – Perpignan by 22.

Leinster v Saracens – Leinster by 6.

Toulouse v Newport-Gwent Dragons – Toulouse by 19.

London Irish v Ospreys – Ospreys by 7.

Superstition Ain't The Way...

I hate you Stevie Wonder

Happy New Year!


I know, I know, it’s five days late. Well, it’s taken me that long to recover. No, not from stuffing my face like a fat kid over Christmas or overindulging in one too many shots of sambuca on New Year’s Eve (ouch my head). The reason why I’ve not posted sooner is because I have simultaneously been singing from the roof tops but then stopping to shake my head and think about what I have done. You see, on 1 January, Leeds Carnegie achieved something they’ve been as desperate for as Sam Allardyce waiting for a call from Italy. Neil Back’s men banished the winter blues by sealing their first Aviva Premiership win of the season by beating Gloucester 15-13. Great eh? For me, as a huge Leeds fan, it was brilliant. The best start to the year I could have hoped for. Carnegie were fresh from back-to-back wins in the Amlin Cup after their Boxing Day clash with relegation rivals Newcastle was called off and boy did it show. 

Except I wasn’t at Headingley to witness by beloved team notch up their first league win of the season. Instead I was sitting in the back of a Volkswagen Touran speeding along the M62. Not exactly how I saw that one going in my head if I'm honest. You see, I was on my way home from celebrating New Year’s Eve in Preston with my friends. I know, Preston. Hardly glamour central of the world and a bit of a random choice, but we went to a comedy club and it was all fine until that journey home. Why? I wasn’t hungover, none of use were. There was no chundering out of the window or grimacing about the previous night's antics as we had all been very well behaved.  It’s because I was missing the game. Following the score and updates on Twitter just isn’t the same, especially when it’s accompanied by the sound of your friends singing ‘Crazy for You’ by Let Loose at the top of their voices.

As we sped past Huddersfield I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I’d picked Leeds to win by three points  but it was more in hope than with belief. Gloucester were enjoying a run of good form in the league and in Europe so surely it couldn’t be? Well, Twitter was telling me it might, as the score poised on a tantalising 10-10 at half-time.

Now not one to throw a tantrum about missing the game I quietly sat in the back of the car. After some speedy driving my friend dropped me off home at 2pm. Kick-off had been at one so I knew if I rushed I might just make it to catch the end of the match. I jumped in the car knowing I faced a race against time. So why did I bother? I could have just watched the highlights with smiley-faced rugby-novice Craig Doyle on ITV4 later on that night. Not an option. You see, it’s one of my superstitions of supporting a team. Call me weird if you like, but I have two big match-day superstitions.  I can’t go to a game wearing something I’ve bought after the start of the season as it brings bad luck. I did it once to a Leeds Rhinos game and they lost. I accidentally did it again the following week and they lost again. Facing the wrath of my then boyfriend and the mounting coincidence it quickly became a superstition I hold to this day. The Rhinos won every other live game I watched that season.

The only other superstition I have is if my team has been on a run of bad form but win when I’ve not been watching them I can’t go to another game until they lose. That is why I’ve been totally over the moon that Leeds claimed their first league win but totally bummed out at the same time. Being a good fan, I want my team to win all of their remaining games and climb to mid-table mediocrity. Being a season ticket holder, this is annoying. However, this is Leeds I’m talking about and the next home game in the league is Leicester Tigers. Chances of them winning that game? Low. Chances of them winning if I don’t go….?

Damn you superstition.

Where Did it All Go So Right for England?

With just days to go before England's final November showdown with South Africa, the media are collectively cooing about the resurgence of English rugby on the international stage.  England swept aside the much-hyped Australia, sealing their second consecutive win over the Wallabies in a year before going on to out muscle Samoa last weekend.  Whisper it quietly, but if Martin Johnson's men can beat the World Champions at Twickenham on Saturday then things seem to be coming together nicely for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.  But hush now, let's not talk about that yet.  It's one game at a time don't forget.

OK, so England lost 26-16 at the hands of Richie McCaw's All Blacks in the opening Autumn fixture, but what a difference a year makes.  This time last November I travelled down to Twickenham to watch England crumble at the hands of a lacklustre New Zealand side.  Everything seemed to be rotten in the England camp, the team was booed off at half-time against Argentina after arguably the most depressing England performance in years before they scraped to an unimpressive 16-9 win.  Even though England won that day, it was probably the lowest point of Johnson's reign.  The day that rugby died.  Calls were ringing out for heads to roll in the RFU, most notably that of Rob Andrew, England's elite Director of Rugby.  The fans were angered by Johnson's staunch refusal to play arguably some of the most dazzling up and coming talents the country had in the form of Courtney Lawes, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden.  In short, last year's Autumn Internationals were an unmitigated disaster.

However, new blood was finally introduced and started flowing in the England ranks this summer.  In June, the side notched up their first win in Australia since the 2003 World Cup final and fast forward to the present to see England playing instinctively and on the front foot.  Ben Youngs, Toby Flood and Chris Ashton were instrumental in putting the Wallabies to the sword again, this time on home turf.  These are the same names the country was screaming out for this time last year.

So did Martin Johnson have his strategy right all along or was the former England skipper more than a little bit lucky?  It's an interesting question, and I'm sure Johnson will argue his plan was to introduce young players when he did after setting the foundations of a solid England side.  Don't forget, those foundations were built around ex-skipper Steve Borthwick, a towering presence in the line-out but hardly cast in the mould of a modern day dynamic second-row, like Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, or Courtney Lawes.

People utter the words "seed-change" and talk about a new England as if Martin Johnson has morphed into a grinning Tony Blair circa 1997, peddling his wares about a bright future and salivating over the prospect of getting his ginormous hands on the Webb Ellis trophy yet again.

To win a world cup a team has to be the best in the world for six weeks.  Just six weeks.  All these November tests and summer tours are mere canapes to the main course which kicks off at Eden Park, Auckland in nine months time.  My old history teacher always used to tell me that history is written by the winners.  No-one will remember England's successes from this month if they crash and burn in New Zealand next year.  And expectations are high: England were World Cup winners in 2003 and losing finalists in Paris four years later.  The tournament is being held in New Zealand and anything but the sight of a triumphant All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw clutching the precious gold trophy will spell a disaster for the home crowd.  Another epic New Zealand Rugby World Cup choke.

But similar expectation is starting to build once again for England's hopes of being crowned World Champions.  Fans are so eager to hope and dream that two, hopefully three wins this November signals the World Cup could be, just maybe, coming back home.

This week, England coach Johnson was keen to play down the resurgence of his team, despite the fact they will start as favourites over the Springboks even though they are one place lower in the world rankings.

"Things happen very quickly, expectations change," he told BBC Sport.

"A couple of weeks ago, on the Friday before we played Australia, everyone was talking about them as the best team in the world - and they had a point. By the Wednesday they'd lost two games and suddenly they were in crisis.

"What this autumn series has highlighted is any of these teams is capable of beating the other one."

I'll give him that.  Teams are in a crucial stage of final testing and preparation before next year's ultimate showdown.  Ireland stepped up a few gears last weekend against New Zealand and if they hadn't switched off at crucial moments the result could have been oh so different.  And then to Murrayfield, where Scotland pulled off the shock of the weekend, edging past South Africa 21-17.  Teams are starting to stake their claim for World Cup glory, but all are still facing the daunting task of toppling New Zealand, Tri-Nations champions and ranked number one in the world, from their seemingly insurmountable position at the top.


So has England's resurgence been timed to perfection and can they climb the mountain to the World Cup final next October?  Has Martin Johnson had a plan all along or did he bow to public pressure and change the way England play?  Under skipper Lewis Moody, England look vibrant, full of dynamism, instinct and passion.  Shooting stars like Ashton, Foden, Youngs, Lawes and Dan Cole have all made the step up to international rugby to name but a few.  But what if England lose on Saturday?  Will we all be back to square one?

I don't think so.  England have been in a period of transition for the past two years but signs are they are now leaping out of the pit of despair, let alone clambering up the side.  The old guard is stepping aside for the new.  Whether it was Johnson's strategy all along or if he lucked out in a major way - or even sold his soul to the Devil - I don't care.  I'm starting to believe in England again, one game at a time.

Inside the Minds of Marco Wentzel and Hendre Fourie...



Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie, and yes that's me, looking like a ghost...

Last week, I met Leeds Carnegie duo Marco Wentzel and Hendre Fourie at an ESPN event.

The night, hosted by commentator Nick Mullins, turned out to be quite a cosy affair.  Due to a marketing mixup, meaning the event was only promoted the day before, only four Leeds Carnegie fans turned up to meet Leeds skipper Wentzel and the wonderful Mr Fourie.  Yes, you read that right - just four people.  As a fan, the support shown on the night was pretty embarrassing and I dread to think what the two players thought, but in a way it was great as the formal Q&A session turned into a casual chat in a pub.

(Before I go on, I'll wait whilst you make a joke about the four of us making up Leeds' entire fan base...)

Done?

Then I'll continue.  I'd been working in a sleepy town in Surrey for the week and had hot-footed it up the M1 in order to make it.  I'm glad that I did, as it was a great chance to grill two of my favourite players for more than an hour.

Due to the limited audience, I had to resist the urge to whip out my dictaphone or take down a shorthand note in my trusty reporters pad.  It wasn't really the time or place, but it was nice to hear the players speak so candidly without head coach Neil Back breathing down their necks and forcing them to toe the party line.

So what did we talk about?  Plenty of things, from Leeds' woeful start to refereeing interpretations and even which players they would love to bring to the club.

It's no secret that Leeds' start to the season has been poor.  Winless in the league, rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table with only two losing bonus points to show from the first six rounds.  However, Wentzel refused to accept the poor performances can be blamed on the age old argument that Leeds are perennially slow starters.  His analysis?  They haven't been playing well enough, the backline is really struggling to fire and the injury crisis hasn't helped.  Therefore, it came as no surprise that both Fourie and Wentzel agreed fly-half is the position they would target if they could make a dream signing for the club.  Interestingly, they had different ideas on who they would pick and why.  Wentzel opted for Leicester and England stand-off Toby Flood - a dynamic player with a great kicking game who he believes would breathe fire into the backline.  Fourie chose a fit Derick Hougaard, the Saracens 10 who was kicking everything in sight and totally running the show with his tactical nous before he ruptured an Achilles tendon.

So what does that say to me?  I think it's a glaring admission the players are as concerned as the fans that Leeds are missing a fly-half who can take charge of a game and be the crucial lynchpin.  It was pretty telling, especially when Fourie revealed that Sale and England number 10, Charlie Hodgson, would have been odds on to pull on a Leeds shirt if Sale had been relegated last season.  Fourie said he spoke to Hodgson during an England training camp and the Sale stand-off said Leeds would be his favourite option if Sale made the drop as he didn't want to move down south.  Of course, it's all water under the bridge, but how different a season might Leeds be having now with the consistency of Hodgson at 10?


Marco Wentzel, doing a great job of towering over me.

Interestingly, Wentzel claimed the departure of second row partner, Erik "The Viking" Lund, wasn't a huge loss.  That surprised me somewhat, as Lund and Wentzel formed arguably the best line-out partnership in the Premiership last season.  Check out the Opta stats if you don't believe me.  According to the Leeds skipper, Tom Denton has made the step up so well, Lund, in all his bearded glory, is hardly missed.  In fact, Fourie went on to say he believes the only area to suffer from Lund's switch to Biarritz is a bit of extra power in the scrum - but Denton is getting there, so Fourie claimed.
Wentzel, who featured in last year's Opta team of the year with the most line-out steals, also admitted to being a total stats junkie.  He revealed he studies opposition line-outs constantly in the week running up to a match, even on the morning of a game.  Fortunately for the 6ft 5" South African lock, his wife doesn't mind - as long as she can watch America's Next Top Model...

In between being quizzed, Fourie and Wentzel had a rather amusing mini-tiff about he flanker's latest sinbinning.  Talk about a difference of opinion, but Fourie wouldn't let it go, and it was all very amusing to watch the pair step into the captain and player relationship right before our eyes.  I couldn't tell you who won of course, but thankfully it didn't get too heated and the pair didn't start arguing in Afrikaans as apparently they have in the past during minor "disagreements".

Referees were another hot topic, both the standard of refereeing in the Aviva Premiership and referee's perceptions of Leeds as a team.  Wentzel admitted Leeds are in a vicious circle and need to get into the winning habit to stop referees seeing them at the bottom of the league making them more likely to penalise Leeds for perceived errors.

But which referees do they rate the most?  For Wentzel, (and for me), Wayne Barnes is the top referee in the world, as he is cool, calm and more often than not gets most things right.  Fourie opted for Chris White because he is one of the referees he can have a chat with on the pitch.  It's funny, but before I met him, I didn't have Hendre Fourie down as a chatty type, but let me tell you, he really, really is - and he's pretty funny too.

Listening to Fourie talk of his parents' pride at him being picked for the England squad and anecdotes of the reactions he's had in South Africa was great.  He is a man who is definitely passionate to play for his adopted country and came with none of the trappings of a man who has been bigged up by pundits and the media for his immense performances week after week.

Unfortunately, Fourie was taken off at half-time against Sale last Friday after suffering a rib injury, putting his involvement in next month's international fixtures in doubt.  The latest news is that he could be fit and in contention for the first game against New Zealand on 6 November - the small matter of ousting England skipper Lewis Moody in order to get his hands on the number seven shirt.

Fourie's injury is somewhat ironic.  The flanker revealed he only felt that he reached full match fitness against London Irish at the beginning of October after missing all of pre-season with injury.  I hope he is back in action sooner rather than later, for Leeds and hopefully for England.  Fourie is a class act on and off the pitch, and along with Wentzel he came across as being a lovely, down to earth bloke.

The only downside to the evening?  It doesn't look likely that either Wentzel or Fourie will be making an appearance on Twitter any time soon.  Despite my best efforts, Fourie admitted he spends way too much time on his Playstation to get into the whole tweeting thing, and Wentzel isn't even on Facebook.  Looks like it's down to Leeds fullback Leigh Hinton to continue Twitter duties for the entire team.

That aside it was a fantastic evening.  I just hope any future events will be publicised better by all concerned to at least get the attendance into double figures...

I'm back...

Powering into the new season...

It's been a while since I've blogged and good while since the end of last season. 

I'd like to say I've spent the summer months doing something worthwhile, like trekking through Borneo and helping to set up a Orangutan sanctuary. However that would be a lie.  Instead I've spent the off season gallivanting around East Yorkshire and watching Leeds Rhinos get ritually humiliated in the Challenge Cup Final.  Oh, and seeing my fantasy football team plummet to the bottom of my office mini-league after the first three weeks...

Well never fear.  The brand spanking new Aviva Premiership starts this weekend and I couldn't be more excited.

Picking up where they left off last season, my beloved Leeds Carnegie play Bath at Headingley this Sunday.  The fact that Leeds have failed to win one of their pre-season fixtures is not a massive issue.  I mean, they played against the might of teams like the Ospreys, Ulster, Agen, Doncaster....  Let's gloss over that.

I'll get back on the prediction horse later this week and tomorrow I will analyse each Aviva Premiership teams' chances for this season in one sentence.  I am nothing if not concise.

T minus two days 'til it all kicks off.  Happy days.

Summer Sevens

Bored of the off season?  Longing for some rugby action?

Well dust off your replica shirts, it's Premiership Rugby Sevens time.

The first J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Sevens series kicks off at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 16 July at 7:30pm.  All 12 Aviva Premiership teams will be in action over four consecutive Friday nights with Harlequins, London Wasps, London Irish and Saracens battling it out in Friday's opener to try and win Group A and book their place in the final on 6 August.

Fellow premiership rivals Leicester Tigers, Leeds Carnegie, Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks will face off at Welford Road on Friday 23rd, before Northampton Saints host Exeter, Gloucester and Bath on the 30th July.

How much?  £10 for adults, £5 for children plus a booking fee.  Not bad.

But is this just a cash cow to milk the rugby loving public?

Maybe not.  Today the RFU broke new ground by awarding ten Sevens players central contracts in a bid to help with preparation for the Commonwealth games.  Maybe they are starting to take Sevens rugby more seriously?

Either way, it's a chance to catch a bit of rugby before the Premiership return at the start of September.  It's just a shame the games aren't being held on Saturdays as more people might have been able to make it....  like me, for example.

If you go, please let me know if it was any good, ta.

For more details you can visit http://www.premiershiprugby.com/

All Quiet on the Blogging Front...

First of all I would like to apologise.  I've been pretty quiet on this blog for couple of weeks and haven't been giving the summer rugby tours the attention they deserve.

Why?

Well, I'm spending most of my free time trying to organise a big rugby event for charity.  There is so much to do and as a consequence my blogging has given way.  I will let you know the details of the fundraiser as soon as I can...

However, I would like to say a big, belated congratulations to England for beating Australia, in Australia, for the first time since the 2003 World Cup final.  Brilliant game boys and a very well deserved win.

Here are my predictions for this weekend's games:

Australia v Ireland

Australia will be looking to lick their wounds after failing to put England to the sword in last weekend's 21-20 defeat.  Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom looked like he'd been presented with a kangaroo poo last Saturday, and rightly so.  Meanwhile, Ireland will be looking to bounce back after being hammered 66-28 by the All Blacks before suffering narrow 31-28 loss to New Zealand Maoris last Friday.

My prediction:  Australia to win by 15

Argentina v France

Argentina are getting better, but two home defeats by Scotland does not bode well ahead of their clash with Grand Slam champions France.  However, there is still the chance that Marc Lievremont's men will flounce off on strike in homage to their footballing counterparts.  Probably not though.

My prediction:  France to win by 9

New Zealand v Wales

New Zealand will be buoyant after demolishing Warren Gatland's Wales last weekend and humiliating Ireland the week before.  Dan Carter showed the world's media why they should stop focusing on a certain Mr Wilkinson with a sublime performance at 10 last Saturday.  Wales, on the other hand, will want to forget all about the 42-9 drubbing in Dunedin.  Apparently therapy helps, boys.

My prediction:  New Zealand to win by 30

South Africa v Italy

Finally, South Africa will be wanting a much tighter rematch against Italy, who they beat 29-13 last Saturday.  I expect more of the same from the Springboks who chalk up yet another win.

My prediction: South Africa to win by 18

But what do you think?

Arse of the Year?

You'll never guess what.  James "Publicity Machine" Haskell is up for an award.

The England and Stade Francais back-row forward has been nominated for "Rear of the Year".

And the pumped-up Johnny Bravo lookalike is taking it very seriously.  In fact, has even found time in his hectic England training schedule to launch a voting appeal on Twitter.

But seriously James, why on earth do you want to bag such a low-brow prize?  Are you really that competitive?

Last year, the award was scooped by operatic warbler Russell Watson - the man second on my "Annoying Celebrities who I would like to punch in the face" list, behind the constantly irritating John Barrowman.

(L) If only Barrowman hadn't "Made it through the rain"

(R) Haskell looking buff in the buff for Dieux du Stade

And what if you don't win James?  Russell's hardly got buns of steel and yet his saggy arse was voted numero uno in 2009. 

Now that would be embarassing for you...

James, basically what I'm saying is this:  Not all publicity is good publicity.  Everyone knows you have a rocking body thanks to the wonderful porn artistry of the Dieux du Stade calendars. 

However, with the England summer tour to Australia just a few weeks away, surely it's time to focus on this instead of a bum beauty pageant?


Just saying...

Magic Weekend

Rugby, rugby, rugby.

That's the only thing on my agenda this bank holiday weekend.

I'm off up to Edinburgh for rugby league's Magic Weekend: Two days of back to back Super League matches and free-flowing drinks, swiftly followed by a crippling hangover and a spot of sightseeing.

But there's also plenty of rugby union action over the May day holiday too.

The much anticipated Heineken Cup semi-finals roll into town this weekend.  Toulouse take on reigning champions Leinster, while Munster travel to Spain to take on Biarritz.

If everything goes according to plan (and my Sky+ doesn't throw a hissy fit) then I'll settle down to watch these when I get back from the land of deep fried Mars bars and Iron Bru.


They really are two potentially cracking games: Ireland v France x 2.

The Heineken Cup road to the final in Paris has been spectacular this season, with almost every game straight out of the top drawer.

But will we see an all Ireland final or an all French affair?  The closer we get to the final the more difficult it is to predict the winner - such is the quality in this competition.

That's not going to stop me from giving it a go, of course.

Toulouse v Leinster

Current champions Leinster squeaked past Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals, thanks to a classy kicking display from fly-half Jonny Sexton. 

But that's only half the story of their 29-28 win at the RDS.  Brock James, Sexton's opposite number, handed Leinster the win after his epically dire kicking performance beat even Tim Henman in the choking stakes.  James has been banging over kicks from all over the pitch this season, but his boot/bottle left him and he missed five penalties, one conversion and two easy drop goals.  By my calculations, that's 23 points that went begging.

Leinster did look classy in attack, with powerful Jamie Heaslip thundering over for two tries.  But Michael Cheika's men will have to up the ante if they are to beat Toulouse on their home turf, and a raft of injuries to key players won't help.

Wunderkind Jonny Sexton is a major doubt as he recovers from a fractured jaw which he suffered in the win over Clermont.  Full back Rob Kearney looks likely to miss the game with a dodgy ankle, and prop CJ van der Linde is also a doubt.  Naturally, decrepit old Brian O'Driscoll is nursing a couple of niggles, but when has a pesky injury stopped him from putting in a top class performance?

But these are problems Leinster could do without.  The Dubliners need to field all their star players to snatch a win in the south of France.  Toulouse's annihilation of Stade Francais in the second half of their quarter final was spectacular to watch.  Yannick Jauzion weaved his irrepressible magic and his team waltzed into the next round. 

And Jauzion isn't the only match winner in the Toulouse side.  Cedric Heymans, Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde, David Skrela, Vincent Clerc, Clermont Poitreneaud and not forgetting France captain Thierry Dusautoir are all in the squad.  Not bad, not bad at all.

If this game was being played at the RDS and if Leinster had their first choice team all fit, then I would be inclined to lean towards a Leinster win.

But with key Leinster players only likely to feature when the cameras pick them out in the stands, and with Toulouse on home turf, I think the French will triumph.  Sorry Leinster.

My prediction:  Toulouse to win by 12.

Biarritz v Munster

The second semi-final Gallic/Celtic clash sees the Thomond Park faithful travel en masse to San Sebastian to see the men in red mount their next assault on the road to Paris.

In the quarter finals, Munster brushed aside pretenders to the crown Northampton, while Biarritz saw off the visiting Ospreys in a blistering match.  This game promises to be another epic battle.

When these two sides met at the Millennium Stadium in the 2005/6 final, a Peter Stringer try clinched the 23-19 win for the men from the emerald isle.  That day also saw a 100% kicking performance from Ronan O'Gara to steer his team to their first Heineken Cup win.

Skipper Paul O'Connell misses this match as he struggles with the groin injury that has ruled him out since the Six Nations clash with Scotland.  Biarritz will be without France star Damian Traille who has a shoulder injury.  But fear not, Munster fans, for Ronan and Strings are in the squad and will no doubt be pumped up to repeat the victory in Cardiff from four years ago.

As for my prediction?

It's tough.  With Munster's pedigree and history in this competition it's hard to bet against them, even away from Thomond Park.  They travelled to Perpignan in the pool stages and ran riot, so games on the road in France (or in this case, Spain) hold no fear.

My prediction:  Munster to win by 6.

But what do you think?

Whatever the results, let's hope it's a Magic Weekend in both codes.

Will Greenwood on the Heineken Cup Quarter Finals

There's only a few hours left before the kick off of the first Heineken Cup Quarter Final: an epic clash between Leinster and Clermont Auvergne.

Here, Will Greenwood tells us his thoughts ahead of the four games:



All I can say is: Good luck to Leinster and Northampton Saints!

Six Nations Previews and Predictions - Week 2

It's Six Nations Predictions time again.

Will Ireland's recent love affair with the Six Nations continue to flourish in Paris this Valentine's weekend?  Will Scotland lose their hearts in Wales, or will England's red roses woo the Italian crowds? 

Here are my previews and predictions for this weekend:

France v Ireland
This game is already being tipped as the championship decider.  The result of this match will crush the Grand Slam hopes of one of this year's main protagonists, and it's a real shame this fixture isn't being saved until the final weekend. 

France won their opening game against Scotland 18-9, with human wrecking ball Mathieu Bastereaud twice bulldozing his way over the line.  Ireland looked rusty against an Italy side lacking in precision which also boasts arguably the most turgid backline in international rugby.  Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll described his team's performance as "mediocre" despite their 29-11 victory.  France's scrum destroyed Scotland, although the return of Stephen Ferris into the Ireland pack is welcome to Ireland's perceived area of weakness.  France are without Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall who miss the clash through injury so Toulouse's Vincent Clerc and Brive's Alexis Palisson take their places.  O'Gara retains the number ten shirt for Ireland, and Keith Earls makes his first Six Nations start. 

Ireland last won in Paris ten years ago in 2000, when Brian O'Driscoll's brilliant hat-trick helped his team to a 27-25 victory.  Last year, Ireland beat France 30-21 at Croke Park.  This is undoubtedly the game of the weekend, if not the tournament.  It's a tough one to call.  My heart says Ireland but my head says France.  I know it's Valentine's weekend, but my head is overruling my heart on this one.

My prediction:  France to win by 8.

Wales v Scotland
Wales clawed England back to 20-17 in the last few minutes of their battle at Twickenham last Saturday, after Alun Wyn Jones' thoughtless trip cost the men in red 17 points during his stint in the sin bin.  Despite Wales seizing the momentum in the second half England were 30-17 victors.  Wyn Jones will play this weekend after Wales coach Warren Gatland threatened to drop the lock, and the only two changes in the Wales side see Leigh Halfpenny and Jonathan Thomas come in for Tom James and Luke Charteris.  Wales are still missing Lions front row maestros Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees which is a blow, especially after Scotland's scrum crumbled against France last week.  Wales need to reduce their error count and not let Scotland off the hook as they did with a series of missed penalty kicks against England.  Oh, and that infamous sin-binning.  I hope to see more from Jamie Roberts and the wonderful James Hook this week.

Scotland welcome back prop Euan Murray to bolster their scrum, and fly-half Dan Parks and Rory Lamont also return.  Godman had a pretty God awful game last weekend and is replaced by Parks who has enjoyed a good season so far with Glasgow. Super sidestepping king Max Evans is also dropped, as is Moray Low.  Scotland coach Andy Robinson has added extra spice to the encounter by preventing Wales from closing the Millennium Stadium roof for the match.  It's all within the rules of course, and I don't blame Robinson for stopping Wales from getting any sort of extra advantage.  To get anything from this game the brothers Sean and Rory Lamont need to put to away their chances against the Welsh.  There were positives from the France game as Scotland did break the line, but then the attacks fizzled out and Scotland came away empty handed.

This is a must win match for both sides.  With home advantage on their side, I'm going for Wales.

My prediction:  Wales to win by 12.
   
Italy v England
Serial wooden spoon winners Italy host a revitalised England on Valentine's Day.  If rugby be the food of love, play on.  Or something like that.  Martin Johnson has made two changes to his starting XV with Dan Cole getting the nod ahead of David Wilson, and a fit again Riki Flutey pushing Toby Flood to the bench.  The replacements haven't been named yet (at the time of writing), and both Steve Borthwick and Simon Shaw have been struck with illness.  Is that Courtney Lawes I see hovering near the starting XV?  Don't be daft, it's Louis Deacon.  Lawes was originally sent back to Northampton but was then recalled, and he will now stay with the England squad.  Shontayne Hape has also been doing the rugby hokey cokey - in, out, in, out - and might yet get to shake it all about with an appearance from the bench.

Italy are without injured lock Carlo Del Fava and scrum-half Simon Picone.  Sergio Parisse is out for the entire competition due to a knee ligament injury.  Italy coach Nick Mallet will confirm his team to face England on Friday 12th, but I expect to see pretty much the same starting line up as last weekend, injuries aside.  Craig "Controversy" Gower was pretty anonymous in Italy's 29-11 defeat to Ireland, and the entire Italian backline was so ineffective England really should stamp their authority on this game.

My prediction:  England to win by 25 points.

So what do you think?  Are my predictions right this week or am I wearing my rose-tinted spectacles?

Taking the Piss

Who is taking the piss?  That would be the Rugby Football Union, who slapped a charge on Leicester De Montford University's rugby union club for alleged "initiation ceremonies".  These ceremonies allegedly included making wannabe players jump into a paddling pool filled with urine.  Nice.  Therefore I guess with their actions you could argue that the RFU really were taking the piss (away from them...).

Anyone fancy a dip?

Other alleged initation tests included eating dog food, standing naked on a playing field in view of the general public and sliding along a plastic sheet that was covered in foul smelling substances. 

Lovely.

So if all this is true, do the De Montfort rugby boys have anything to answer for, or was it just a case of rugby high jinx between a load of backslapping students which really meant no harm?  I wonder why they've been singled out for a slap on the wrists as initiation ceremonies aren't a new thing?

Either way, the paddling pool thing is just gross.

Rugby League Magic

That's a bit of an odd title for a post on a rugby union blog you might think.

Well, Chris Ashton (ex-Wigan Warriors, now Northampton Saints wing) and Shontayne Hape (ex-Bradford Bulls, former New Zealand rugby league international, now Bath centre) are league to union converts who have both been named in Martin Johnson's Elite Player Squad this week. With their inclusion for the forthcoming Six Nations (and potentially the World Cup next year) I can't help but wonder if their background in the league version of the game has given them any sort of advantage over the purely union born and bred backs? It certainly seems that way, as Ashton's try scoring form this season has been nothing short of prolific and he is currently the top try scorer in the Guinness Premiership, and Hape has been turning heads at Bath with his strong and often scintillating displays at centre.

Ashton (top) and Hape: The new stars of England rugby?

My boyfriend is a massive Leeds Rhinos fan (although don't hold that against him) and he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things rugby league.  If he doesn't know a fact about rugby league, it's probably because it's hasn't happened yet.  Therefore with Ashton and Hape making waves in the game, I decided to quiz him to try and find out what positive attributes ex-league players bring to the game of rugby union.  This is what he said:

Fitness, Strength and Speed
Rugby league is played at a much quicker pace than union.  The forwards are fitter, leaner and quicker and the backs are quicker still, with footwork that would make Brian O'Driscoll cry with envy.

Handling
League players are more adept at passing the ball into gaps and running into gaps rather than into the man and taking the ball into contact.  With their extra speed and quick hands comes a quicker and more free flowing game.

Support Play
It's no coincidence that Chris Ashton always seems to pop up on the shoulder of his team mates when they sprint up field.  If you watch any game of Super League you will see this all game long, and this attribute of his game is a something that has been drilled into him during his time at Wigan.

Defence
The physical conditioning of rugby league players (especially forwards) means often they tackle harder, and are then quicker to get back into the defensive line.  I can't imagine many Guinness Premiership forwards making a tackle, running back ten metres, making another tackle then running back ten (x another 4) over the course of eighty minutes without gasping for an oxygen mask.

It might work very well when a league star joins the back line of a union side, but what about the forwards?
I can't imagine that many rugby league forwards would successfully make the transition into a rugby union pack (Andy Farrell, anyone?).  After all, scrums in rugby league are just a group of blokes leaning on each other for five seconds and having a bit of a breather. 

Success Stories

The forwards aside, where the backline is concerned I think that rugby league players have the ability to inject a certain x-factor into the game.  Look at World Cup winner Jason Robinson for example.  He was excellent in both codes, playing rugby league for Wigan and Great Britain before changing to union when he joined Sale in 2000.  Robinson immediately made an impact and he played his first game for England in 2001 in the Six Nations game against Italy.  A try scoring performance in two of the Lions tests in the tour of hell to Australia later in that year, and that memorable try in the final of 2003's World Cup made Robinson the best cross code rugby player of all time.  Well, in my opinion anyway.

And here are a couple of others:
Lote Tuqiri - Tuqiri found success with the Brisbane Broncos and won recognition with Queensland in their victorious State of Origin campaign in 2001, along with international honours for the Wallabies before switching to the fifteen man game.  He won 67 test caps for Australia's rugby union side and found his way onto the scoresheet in 2003's rugby World Cup Final.  Tuqiri is now peddling his wares on the wing for Leicester Tigers and bagged a couple of tries against their arch rivals Wasps last weekend.

Jonathan Davies - No, not the young bloke who's playing for Wales at the moment.  I mean the other Jonathan Davies, the one who now plies his trade as a partisan commentator for the BBC.  Davies started off playing rugby union in 1982 for Neath before moving to Llanelli in 1988, in a year where he helped Wales scoop the then Five Nations Triple Crown before going on to captain his country on their tour to New Zealand.  Controversially, Davies then switched codes and moved to Widnes, and during his foray into rugby league he also played for Warrington and Australian sides Canterbury and Queensland.  Davies returned to the fifteen man game in 1995 where he picked up another hatful of Wales caps, and has been touted as the most talented rugby player of his generation.

Other successful cross-code players include Scott Gibbs, Brad Thorn, John Bentley, Alan Bateman, Alan Tait, Scott Quinell, Wendell Sailor, Dai Young and Sonny Bill Williams.

Tried but Failed

So it is possible to switch between codes and do it effectively, but these handful of players (along with a few others who I have no doubt forgotten) have to be contrasted with players who didn't make anywhere near as big an impact: Henry Paul (now at Leeds Carnegie) won only six caps for England; Lesley Vainikolo only got eight caps, as did rugby league hero Andy Farrell, whose massive move to Saracens didn't quite go according to plan.  Chev Walker and Karl Pryce both made the switch to union before skulking off back to the thirteen man game less than a year later.

Still, with ex-Leeds Rhinos and England international league star Lee Smith swelling the ranks with his move from the Rhinos to Wasps this season and with Worcester signing former Australia rugby league international Luke Rooney, are we seeing the start of another trend of league to union code switches, with players attracted by the higher earning potential that the union game can offer?  I don't really care if this is the case, as long at it benefits the game of rugby as a whole.

With all that said, I wonder how long it will be until we see more ex-league stars trotting out at Twickenham?  It's probably only a matter of time...  For now, let's keep our fingers crossed that Chris Ashton and Shontayne Hape will add themselves to the list of league to union success stories.

Speccy Four Tries?

Roll up, roll up!

If you are a rugby lover who enjoys nothing more than popping down to your local cinema, whacking on a pair of comedy glasses and watching things leap out of the screen at you, then you are in luck.

Shock and awe: it's a try for England

It's time to dust off those 3D specs sports fans.  England's opening Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham on 6 February is going to be shown in cinemas across England in glorious 3D, in what the BBC claims will be Europe's first ever live 3D sports broadcast. 

If you can't make it to one of the participating 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas for this match, then you can always rock up with your red and blue spectacles on 27 February when the England vs Ireland will also be shown in mind-bending 3D.

Let's just hope England won't be tragically flat despite all the technological wizardry to give them that extra dimension...

I can picture it now...

Marvel as the ball comes flying towards your face in yet another bout of snore-tastic aerial ping pong.

Laugh as Matt Banahan dawdles down the wing with all the speed and agility of an IKEA wardrobe.

Stifle a yawn as the England forwards lie on top of each other for ten minutes in an up close and personal 3 dimensional ruck.

Entertain yourself by flicking popcorn at Brian O'Driscoll's arse in the vain hope that it might stop him from scoring his hat trick.

I'm off to buy my tickets now...

PUMP IT!

How's your New Year's health drive shaping up?  For me it's so far, so good.  Sort of.  I've dragged myself to the gym a couple of times and have managed to step away from the chocolate biscuits, but then again we're only eight days into 2010 and there's still plenty of time for me to nosedive into a tin of Quality Street and start flicking the V's at the gym as I drive past.

If you're still looking at your trainers with a certain amount of disdain, or if you really just can't be arsed exercising, then this blog post is for you. 

For a bit of fun for the end of the first working week of 2010, I've created a game involving the Studs On The 22 Man of the Month, Mike MacDonald.  Exercise your index finger and burn off those Christmas calories as you help Mike "PUMP IT" in the gym by lifting some weights.

Please leave a comment with your highest score so the world can see just who has the fittest finger of them all.  My top score is a pretty rubbish 1200.  As I seem to be no good at this I suppose I should get back to the gym instead...  Joy.

Rugga Big Brother

If you live in the UK then there is a VERY good reason to avoid slumping into your sofa over the next month and go out and do something much more interesting instead. 

Yes, 'Celebrity' Big Brother is back on our screens for a mind-numbing four weeks, and this can only mean one thing: Newspapers and television will be awash with this year's batch of eleven fame hungry ZZZ-list 'celebrities' who are all aiming to dazzle us with their limited talents and try to relaunch their extinguished stars back into the glittering limelight.  For a few weeks at least.

Amongst the plethora of washed up attention seekers who will be 'entertaining' us this year is cross-dressing cage fighter Alex Reid, Dane Bowers (aka The Fat One from crappy 90's boyband 'Another Level'), and a random Page 3 model.  Woo hoo.

Lock the doors, turn off the cameras and leave them all in there for 5 years...

However, the start of 'Celebrity' Big Brother got me thinking.  Wouldn't it be great if we could sling a selection of rugby stars, pundits, coaches and maybe a referee into the Big Brother house and watch them ruck it out for four weeks?

Picture the scene: 

Pundit Stuart Barnes debates the finer points of the breakdown with Richie McCaw, who, after 3 hours of needling from The Barrel, yawns and hands-off the still chattering Barnesy and tunnels his way to the garden where he begins a high-hair contest with the lesser spotted Gavin Henson.  In the kitchen, Martin Castrogiavanni is whipping up a culinary masterpiece with the help of a salivating John Smit, whilst Matt Giteau pings bread rolls across the room so they perfectly land onto each of the twelve dining room plates.  In the bathroom, Schalk Burger is giving Luke Fitzgerald a facial (of the deep cleansing mudpack variety) whilst Jeremy Guscott arranges his splendid selection of scarves in colour-coded order in the bedroom.  Moving outside to the jacuzzi, we find ladies favourites Dan Carter and Rob Kearney enjoying a hot, bubbly dip whilst Rocky Elsom bench presses Gavin Henson's suitcase which is rammed full of haircare products.

Henson has the highest hair of them all

Also, imagine the tasks that Big Brother could challenge them with:

Marvel as John Smit battles it out against the clock in the pie-eating task.
Laugh when Rocky Elsom pile drives Jezza Guscott into the ground during the Tackle Bag challenge.
Gape in wonder when Stuart Barnes out sprints Rob Kearney in the Chicken Run Bleep Test.


I did consider throwing calamitous referee David Rose into the mix along with Rob Andrew and his new nemesis Saracens' boss Brendan Venter, but I decided that might end in a blood bath, and we had quite enough of all that blood-spitting in 2009.

Yes, it will never happen, but this is a reality TV show that I would definitely watch...

Studs On The 22 ~ 2009 Awards

So we have almost reached the end of 2009.  This has been an action packed year for the game of rugby union, with plenty of scandal, drama, politics and posing and that's before we even turn our attention to what actually happened on the pitch.  2009 will be best forgotten for many reasons, but there have also been some fabulous moments which have helped to reignite the passion in our excellent game.  These awards will celebrate the good and commiserate the bad in the hope that 2010 will herald plenty of the former and not so much of the latter.

The first award is the Well Played Sir Moment to Remember Award.  This award exists to honour a pivotal moment in a game which helped to change the course of a match in a positive way or someone who really achieved something great in 2009.  The contenders are:

Phil Vickery: For coming out in the third Lions test and slaying the Beast who destroyed him in their previous encounter.
Dan Carter:  For passing Andrew Mehrton's record as top New Zealand points scorer of all time in the England vs New Zealand game at Twickenham this November.
Morne Steyn: For his match winning performance off the bench in the second Lions test to help the Boks win the match and the series.

And the winner is Morne Steyn, a man who also notched up 31 points in the Springboks' Tri-Nations 31-19 win against New Zealand on 31 August, a feat which broke Andrew Mehrton's record for most points by an individual in a Tri-Nations match.  Not a bad result for a man winning his fifth cap on his second start for the Boks.

Steyn was one of the stars of the year

The next award is the Oopsy Daisy Moment to Forget Award.  As the name suggests, this award is given in recognition of a defining moment which the perpetrator would really rather forget.  The runners and riders are:

Ronan O'Gara:  Who can forget that mistimed tackle at the end of the second Lions test this summer, a tackle which gifted South Africa the chance to win the match, which Morne Steyn duly took.
Matt Giteau:  Nominated for his last gasp penalty miss in the 9-8 loss to Scotland in this year's Autumn Internationals.
Tom Williams:  Comedy fake blood capsule anyone?
David Rose:  For his involvement in the ridiculous mix up that was the Sale vs Wasps match postponement.

Some strong contenders, but there can only be one winner, and that is Ronan O'Gara for that tackle:

Please just kick it into touch next time Ronan

Next up is the Boo Hiss Villain of the Year Award which is pretty self explanatory.  The contenders are:

Matt Stevens:  For falling off the wagon and stuffing stuff up his nose.
Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins: For bringing the game into disrepute and dragging Bath further into the mire following their resignations for refusing to take a drug test on three separate occasions.
Dean Richards: For his involvement in the infamous 'Bloodgate' scandal.
Schalk Burger, Julien Dupuy, Shane Jennings, David Attoub (allegedly): For their love of giving 'facials' to other players.

And the winner is: Dean Richards.
OK so you might think it's unfair that one man was singled out to take the fall for the coaching staff, medical team and committee of a rugby club, but the buck had to stop somewhere, and "Bloodgate" was the scandal of the year despite all the Class A shenanigans that were going on at Bath.

Villain of the Year

To lighten the mood and celebrate some achievements let's move on to the Slap on the Back Hero of the Year Award.  There are two candidates for this award, both of whom are equally deserving:

Ian McGeechan:  For his wonderful masterminding of the most memorable and cohesive Lions tour since the pride of 1997. Ian McGeechan (along with his team) showed that the Lions philosophy and everything it stands for still has a place in the professional game. 
Declan Kidney:  The quiet man of rugby who coached the Ireland team to a Grand Slam win in the Six Nations and an unbeaten run in 2009; a year in which they also beat the World and current Tri-Nations champions, South Africa.

It was close, but for everything he achieved this summer (despite coming away from South Africa with a series loss), the winner is Ian McGeechan.

This clip gets me every time.

Sniff back those tears and let's move on swiftly to the Team of the Year Award.
The contenders are:
Ireland:  Grand Slam winners and unbeaten in 2009.
Leinster:  Heineken Cup winners
South Africa:  Tri Nations Champions
England's Women:  For an excellent year in which they beat the Black Ferns and are hotting up nicely for next year's World Cup.
The British and Irish Lions:  For restoring Pride.

It was close, but the Team of the Year is Ireland for their unbeaten run.  South Africa had a great year but they were beaten by Leicester and Saracens and then by Ireland in the Autumn Internationals.  With Leinster winning the Heineken Cup it was a great year for Irish rugby.

More of the same for 2010?

2009 saw some classic comedy in the form of some rather strange quotes from people who should really know better.  These are honoured in the "He said what?" Quote of the Year Award.
The contenders are:

Peter de Villiers: Who defended Schalk Burger's scandalous eye-gouge of Luke Fitzgerald by saying:  "Why don't we all go to the nearest ballet shop, get some nice tutus and get some great dancing going on? No eye-gouging, no tackling, no nothing. Then enjoy."
Brian O'Driscoll:  Who turned into a wise old owl in a Six Nations press conference when he said: "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it into a fruit salad."
Mystic Warren Gatland:  Who turned into a new age hippy when discussing the All Blacks prior to the Wales vs New Zealand game in the Autumn Internationals, when he said:  "If you lose a few games, it doesn't matter who you are, you become a little bit infallible and that aura just goes away."
Rugby fan Stuart Tinner:  On winning £250,000 after successfully drop-kicking a ball against the cross bar in the half time interval of the Saracens vs South Africa game, Tinner said:  "This is the second best day of my life.  The best day was when I lost my virginity."  Bless him.

And the winner is Brian O'Driscoll, for his Eric Cantona-esque piece of tongue in cheek comedy genius:

Brian: getting all fruity

Still with me?

Now it's time to celebrate some talent to watch for 2010 with the Young Player of the Year Award.  These are players that have been catapulted into the spotlight in 2009 who promise to deliver great things both now and in the future.  The nominees are:
Ben Youngs: The quick thinking and attacking Leicester scrum half.
Courtney Lawes:  Northampton's new Martin Johnson in the making.
Ryan Lamb:  London Irish's fly-half and midfield maestro.
Will Genia:  The Wallabies and Queensland Reds star scrum-half.

And the winner is Will Genia, who burst on the international scene as if from nowhere in 2009 and received comparisons with legendary Wallabies scrum-half George Gregan.

One to watch

And finally on to the last gong of the year which is the Not So Young Player of the Year Award.  Again, there are a few contenders, most of which are the usual suspects:
Richie McCaw:  IRB Player of the Year
Brian O'Driscoll:  The man who should have been the IRB Player of the Year (in my humble opinion!)
Fourie Du Preez:  South Africa's excellent scrum-half, and another serious contender for player of the year.
Jonny Wilkinson:  Who reignited his career in Toulon and became the top points scorer in the Top 14.

And the winner is, somewhat unsurprisingly, Brian O'Driscoll, for leading the Irish team to their first Grand Slam in sixty-one years, being an instrumental cog in the Leinster team that lifted the Heineken Cup, and for forming half of the best centre partnership in the world (alongside Jamie Roberts) during the Lions tour this summer.  Well deserved Brian.

BOD is still God.

In conclusion, 2009 has been an action packed year.  Yes there was plenty of scandal, the IRB did their best to confuse matters with their experimental laws and new rules at the breakdown, and lots has been said about rugby for all the wrong reasons.  However there was also plenty to cheer about:  there have been some brilliant games which have defied the focus on ping-pong aerial rugby and showed real attacking flair; the 2009 pride of Lions put real passion back into the red jersey under Ian McGeechan, and there were a few more comedic moments to brighten the scandal-tinged year.

Let's hope 2010 gives us plenty of good rugby to talk about and not so much of the pitch side politics.

With that said, please let me wish you all a very Happy New Year, and I will be back with more rugby based musings in 2010.

Friday Fun

It's Friday, there's only a week until Christmas, and if you're anything like me then the big work wind down before the festive period has already begun.

Therefore I thought you might like a little bit of fun for a Friday afternoon to help you whilse away those final few hours before clocking off time.

O2 have created a game called 'Chargy Bargy' which you can play to win tickets to see England vs Italy in Rome or a signed England rugby shirt.

No that's not my top score before you ask...

It's simple to play (although I am in no danger of winning anything at this game!) and it's annoyingly addictive.

Here's the link:  Chargy Bargy

Good luck!

Zzzzzzzzzz Ping-Pong?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks the Autumn Internationals fizzled rather than sizzled. 

OK so there were a few good games.  Scotland vs Australia was a tense defensive affair, Ireland vs South Africa was pulsating game (even though I felt like I was watching "Gorillas in the Mist" at times with the fog at Croke Park), whilst the game between France and New Zealand was by far and away the best game of the lot.  This game proved that rugby doesn't have to sacrifice itself to constant route one ball if teams play with attacking flair and display a desire to play with the ball in their hands rather than have it flying off their feet. 

Still, despite the odd exception, on the whole this November's array of international rugby was really rather drab.

Wake me up when they start playing love

Yesterday the IRB decided not to change any laws to try and spice up the game before the Rugby World Cup in two years time.  I can understand this as it is a bit of a risk so late in the World Cup cycle, but by leaving the laws alone it does seems that the short term future for rugby is one of the following two options:

Option 1:
Players will become increasingly fearful of being turned over or penalised whilst running with the ball due to the current interpretation of the laws at the breakdown as they seem to favour the defending team.  This will transform rugby into a burly game of 15-a-side ping-pong, with players anxious to kick the ball away and hope their opposition messes up before they do, all with tedious results.

Option 2:
Players will think: Sod all this kicking malarkey.  I want to play rugby, not some game of glorified gorilla tennis.  This will result in players zipping round the pitch, offloading for fun and avoiding the big, lurching forwards who amble around the pitch attempting to snaffle the ball off them at the breakdown.

Is this the future?

I prey to the Gods of Rugby that all teams take heed of Australia and New Zealand's performances in their final games of the autumn series and run with the ball.  If you're not isolated and left to die in possession then the mysteries surrounding the breakdown are of little consequence.  This is because you'll be far too busy trotting under the posts to dab the ball down instead of rolling around on the floor with some fat bloke looming over you as he attempts to rip the ball out of your muddy little hands.

Are we in for plenty of snore-fest rugby ping-pong over the next two years?

I hope not.

10 Studs to Watch

So the rugby season is now well under way, and if you're one of the few Leeds Carnegie fans like me then it's been yet another depressing start. Still, like the popular mantra on an all day drinking session - it's a marathon not a sprint - and whilst Saracens might be masquerading as speed king Usain Bolt at moment, there's still plenty of games left for my yo-yo loving team to metamorphosize into Paula Radcliffe and limp over the line in 11th place. Who knows, they might even sneak into 10th if they don't keep stopping like Paula to curl out yet another shit performance.

Anyway, with five games down I've had plenty of time to distract myself from Leeds' lacklustre start and survey the finer studs trotting about 22 yard lines up and down the country. Oh and how can I forget the fine specimens in the Magners league? Therefore, for my inaugural post on this blog I think it's only fitting for me to introduce my list of top 10 Studs to Watch this season (although I do reserve the right to amend this list as the season progresses!).

1. Rob Kearney

Well, where do I start with Leinster's gorgeous Rob Kearney? He's got sultry, smouldering looks, bucketloads of Irish charm and one hell of a sexy bod. I've admired Rob's footballing skills for a few years now, but the fact that he is so God damn handsome does help to maintain my interest. If I ever have the pleasure of meeting the lovely Rob I will ply him with Guinness and play with his curly black hair (on his head, before you get any ideas).

2. Brian O'Driscoll

In at number two is another Leinster man, the one and only BOD. In fact I'm kind of considering moving over to Dublin and switching my allegiance to the Irish province, as even if they lose there's always something (or someone) entertaining to watch. Everyone knows about BOD: his twinkly crinkly eyes, his biceps that are to die for and not forgetting his wisdom about not adding tomatoes to fruit salads. BOD has undergone a renaissance over the past year and I can only speculate that this is probably due in part to his engagement to the lovely (and very lucky) Amy Huberman. Although come on Brian - spelling out 'Will you marry me' in flower petals? That's just a little bit cheesy.

3. Danny Care

Q: Who likes Care Bears?

A: Me.

Ex-Leeds Tyke and now Harlequin, Danny 'Care Bear' Care initially set my pulse racing when he was snapped in the buff for the Everyman Campaign earlier this year. I don't think I need to say anything else about Danny's charms as the above picture speaks for itself. Nice ball too.

4. Olly Barkley

Gloucester or Bath? Gloucester or Bath? It was a tough decision for Olly to switch back and forth between these local rivals, but who cares about all that when he's got such lovely eyebrows and sexy curly hair (if you don't mind wiping your hands because of all the hair gel). Olly's currently recovering from a pesky broken leg, so anyone who'd like to help out with nursing duties please form an orderly queue...

5. Marco Wentzel

As a Leeds fan I had to include a Leeds player, and whilst my favourite player (tubby powerhouse Mike Macdonald) is still languishing stateside waiting for his visa, a new addition to the squad has caught my attention this season. Marco Wentzel was enlisted by World Cup winning Supremo Neil Back and his mate Andy Key, and so far has made a big impression with his powering runs and skills in the line out. Oh, and did I mention that he's pretty hot too? (Nice pose by the way Marco).

6. Ben Foden

When he's not busy cultivating his ridiculous Musketeer-style facial hair, Ben Foden is really rather handsome. Tipped as one to watch for purely his rugby skills, Northampton's Ben is also one to watch for more aesthetically pleasing reasons. Currently dating Una Healy from girl band 'The Saturdays' maybe Ben is trying to raise his profile and rise to fame in a similar way as Danny Cipriani?

Which brings me, rather predictably to number 7: the aforementioned Mr. C.

7. Danny Cipriani

Yes, I admit it: Danny Cipriani is foxy, although this admission does grate on me as I find myself really struggling to like him in his new guise as a 'celebrity'. I'm not knocking him for his desire to bump uglies with Kelly Brook as if I was that way inclined then I'd probably want to do the same, but Danny needs to sort out his priorities and concentrate on the game that is his real reason for fame rather than cavorting around Necker Island with his scantily clad bikini model/actress girlfriend. OK, when I put it like that I can see why he's been a little distracted.

8. Mark Cueto

Sale stalwart Mark Cueto knows how to fill a pair of underpants and work a locker. (OK, maybe he needs to practice his modelling skills but who cares when he's got a six-pack and a, ahem, package like that?)

9. Mike Phillips

Ospreys, Wales and the Lions' scrum half Mike Philips is keen to point out that he's number one, but I'm sorry to say Mike that you only sneak in at number nine on my list. I suppose this is quite fitting as that's the number of the shirt that you've so effortlessly made your own in recent years, but either way you are pretty damn fine and in at number nine. (Oh, I just rhymed).

10. Ryan Lamb

Last but by no means least in my top ten Studs to Watch list is a bit of leftfield choice. London Irish's Ryan Lamb usually plays at fly half, but last week he packed down at number eight in an impressive display against Leinster. I can only reason that I have been seduced by Ryan's ferrety looking charms after watching his mercurial performance against my beloved Leeds a few weeks ago. That, and the fact that he seemed to be aiming his kicks towards me in the pre-match warm up. Maybe that classes as flirting where he comes from?

Right, that's all for now. I'll be back with some more rugby related studdery very soon. Who knows, I might even be able to report a first win of the season for Leeds this Sunday...

Until then...