Six Nations Prediction

England could finish anywhere.
With a whole big pot of luck, they could win it.
With an average run of luck and injuries, they could finish somewhere between third and fifth.
With a poor run, they could conceivably finish last.
Wales, Ireland and France have all got to be favourites in their clashes against England, regardless of location – [...]

Lion Man

Just reading Ian McGeechan’s autobiography Lion Man.
I recommend it.
McGeechan is so renowed for his coaching that it’s easy to overlook what a good player he was (and he stopped playing before I can remember watching much rugby).
However, there’s one passage where he describes his coaching philosphy:

"I believe that when you put new players in or [...]

Can the Not-So-Sweet Chariot Swing Any Lower?

I really enjoyed the game on Saturday.
Why?
Because my money was on Argentina. With the weather forecast looming and knowledge of England’s poor out of hand kicking, I viewed the 5/1 on offer as fair game and well it proved. I laid off mid-game at 5/2, job done.
And thank goodness because without the added financial incentive, [...]

Moody the Man Again?

One of the sub-plots of yesterday’s clash between London Irish and Leicester was the battle of the open sides. The old nutter Lewis Moody versus the young wrecking ball Steffon Armitage. One of them is almost certain to line up for England against Australia in two weeks time, so who is the best bet to [...]

England Injuries – Crisis or Blessing?

Who would be a coach eh? It is bad enough for us pub selectors to try and pick a team from the rubble of the EPS, so imagine how it must feel for Jonno as he sits through each weekend with chewed nails and winces with each injury report. No sooner does he write out [...]

Ah, Autumn Rugby is Back!

As the nights draw in and the condensation starts to form on car windows in the morning, thoughts start to turn to getting the overcoats out of the back of the wardrobe and putting the lawn mower away for the year. Yes, Autumn is upon us, November is nearly here, and November means only one [...]

Hey Ackford, use your own ideas!

Well, it has been months and months since I wrote anything on this site, real life work and a new baby has seen to that. Finally I have a spare moment and I must say how it is gratifying to see how esteemed journalists take the time to read and paraphrase this occasional blog. It [...]

Clarke – the new Greenwood?

In the Lions squad of 2007, a promising, young centre was picked, yet to be capped despite significant clamour from regular watchers of club rugby.
That man was Will Greenwood.
Who nearly died on that tour.
(If you’ve never seen it, watch the greatest rugby video every made – Living with the Lions).
12 years on from [...]

Fill in the gaps – England squad short of men of form

Let’s reflect on the revised England squad:
Forwards: Tim Payne (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps), George Chuter (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Lee Mears (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Tom Croft (Leicester), James Haskell (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Tom Rees (Wasps), Nick Easter [...]

Hello – Earth Calling Rob Andrew…

Very rarely do newspaper articles about rugby make me angry, there are after all far more important things in life to worry about, but this little beauty had me tutting and chuntering like a middle Englander reading a Daily Mail editorial.
Rob Andrew rejected the view that supporters were disenchanted following the calamitous sequence of results [...]