Wednesday 25 February 2009
The end of Saracens rugby as we know it?
My post today was going to focus on the England selection for Saturday's game against Ireland. It was going to focus upon the negative step to include Goode on the bench, or the demonstration this shows that the management team have no confidence in Toby Flood kicking his goals. Bench players (Care, Croft, Hartley, Tait) are impact players. So put Danny Cipriani in there? I feel that Johnno is breaking down young Dan and will rebuild him in the ‘Johnno mould’. Exactly what he needs I thinks.
No, I am more concerned about the plight of English rugby with the latest news that Saracens are haemorrhaging their squad (15 are going out of 38) to turn the club into a South African breeding ground. Brendan Venter is replacing Eddie Jones and is making wholesale changes. Big names such as Chris Jack & Michael Owen are out, as is club stalwart Kevin Sorrell. In will be, reputedly, Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger - along with a host of others.
Surely the RFU can't let this happen to the English game.
What a few weeks it’s been. Firstly Matthew Stevens sniffing dust followed by wasps big 3 chasing the cash and now this; Cape Town in Watford.
Monday 23 February 2009
The tour de lance
I'm not convinced I'm a huge fan of twitter. It's basically yet another form of electronic stalking, but is entirely dependent on the interest you have in the person you are 'following' and indeed the content that these people are creating. For example, Jonathan Ross divulging what time he actually gets out of bed (sickeningly late when you realise how much he gets paid) or Stephen Fry wittering down the electronic airwaves about nothing. Or even the government showing they are still 'cool' even, even without big Tony, fails to really grab me. But perhaps it’s me that is the problem?
But, in the quest for insightful sports information, I've discovered an excellent use for Twitter. Lance 'I'm clean' Armstrong is on twitter. In fact, he is on it so much I'm surprised that he has time for anything else.
Lance is constantly updating with (I find) fascinating anecdotes about his life & the races he is involved with. This is exactly the kind of reading I'm after. Insightful and interesting; you get something that you can't get anywhere else. Maybe it’s nerdy? I don't know. But the constant updates that Lance provides offer a much more compelling viewpoint than Wossy's broken computer or the government’s new recession busting website.
Not only that, but big Lance (did I mention he is clean?) also posts pictures. Pictures that you wouldn't get any where else. Here are a few.
Twitter = excellent (as long as you find the right subject)
Thursday 19 February 2009
David's big oversight
But golden balls has been welcomed into the fold of the states making huge promises about raising the long term profile of soccer in the states. I am predicting that when he leaves, a huge hole will be created and this hole could well be filled with anger against unfulfilled pledges. I also predict a not dissimilar situation will occur at Stamford Bridge when Roman gets bored and leaves the club crippled amongst an Everest of wage bills.
Some might say that the ECB and cricket in general are facing this disaster now that the very odd Allen Stanford has finally been revealed as a rather unscrupulous character too. Apparently he has been 'followed' by the US government for the past 15 years - amazing how long paper work takes, and its impeccable timing.
Wednesday 18 February 2009
Visionary predictions
Tuesday 17 February 2009
The exodus continues
Racing Metro Paris, currently top of the French D2, have wound up the rumour mill claiming Chabal and Nallet are on ther way to the ambitious club. More interestingly so, Francois Steyn and the golden boy Jonny Wilkinson are also linked to the club funded by the largest estate agent in France. Intrigue indeed. Will Jonny finally take the plunge and leave his beleaguered Newcastle? I feel not, especially if there is no draw of Heineken Cup rugby - if he hasn't done this by now, I can't see him leaving for an equally unparalleled club.
To end on a positive note, England cricket are doing the usual rallying drive. Strauss and Collingwood put in good century knocks to take the under performing allies to an impressive 1st innings total. One can't but help to presume that this precipice won't be an easy one to maintain - especially if form has anything to go by.
Monday 16 February 2009
Day 1 - the origin
The weekends 6 nations brought with it new hope for England after a much more assertive performance against the welsh on Saturday. BOD's new found vigour for his beloved Irish was almost as entertaining as the Italian number 9, Paul Griffen's, side burns. But all has been marred by the inevitable news of one of Englands future greats moving over the channel. James Haskells reported £1m 3 year contract could well be the opening of the proverbial floodgates to the riches of France. We shall see.
On a personal note, this is my new blog. I'll update it as often as new news comes up, although the oval game will most probably feature heavily.
I'll leave my opening post on a high. In the great rhythmical tune of the Kaiser Chiefs 'Ruby':
Gooodey Gooodey Gooodey Gooodey Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah