As another new English Premiership season of attrition, aggression and (hopefully) ambition dawns with new coaches, new players and another Jonny Wilkinson injury dragging on, what is on the wish list for the coming term? Here is what I would like to see happen and also my predictions for the trophies.
ELVs – so much has been said and written about them that further discussion is almost pointless. Putting aside the farcical way they have been introduced, they are here for the season so let’s see what happens. I hope they don’t spoil the game. Clever coaches will have worked out how to use them. Gloucester will love them, Leicester will hate them, Wasps will push them to the limit.
England – I really worry for Jonno. With all due respect, the best that can come from the Pacific Islands match is no major injuries. If he were to lose 0-3 against the Tri-Nations teams he would be in a difficult spot. England must win at least one of the matches and must front up against New Zealand. Hopefully he will engender some backbone and standards in a team that went totally AWOL on and off the pitch in New Zealand, but unless a world-class lock appears from somewhere and one of the coaches can sort a decent centre combination, I am not overly hopeful. Oh, and Rob Andrew, can’t you just resign? Your attack on Clive Woodward showed just how weasel-like you really are.
James Simpson-Daniel – Please stay injury free and please nail down a place in the England back line. Somewhere, anywhere!
Danny Cipriani – Please come back as fast and as good as you were before your ankle went and did that “funny angle” thing.
TV – Can Sky please stop moving the scheduling of the Rugby Club all over the place? Give it a settled slot and keep it there. That aside, Sky do an excellent job. Oh and I can’t wait for Moore and Butler to resume their double act in the 6N.
Premiership – Some team other than Wasps to grasp the concept of the play-offs.
And so to predictions:
Premiership – Gloucester (I think they might finally do it)
Anglo-Welsh – Saracens
Heineken – Clermont
6N – France (although hopefully by then Jonno might have worked some magic!)
Autumn Internationals:
PI – England
Aus – England (please God, this is the match I want to see us win)
SA – England (Putting aside the recent thrashing of Oz, the Boks are having England-like post World Cup problems)
NZ – New Zealand
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