Rugby goes Hollywood

I have never been convinced by sports movies.
Indeed, I’m struggling to think of a stand-out example where a sport has transferred well to the big screen.
So I’m feeling a little trepidation - and no little bemusement - in learning that rugby is next in line for the Hollywood treatment.

Matt Damon is to play former South [...]

Cardiff 1 - Cardiff 0

A mixed day for the boys in blue.
Cardiff City are Wembley-bound (again) after securing a FA Cup Final spot against Portsmouth - 81 years since their last final appearance, which they won.
But Cardiff Blues lost heavily in France to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup quarter final.
I’m more of a Blues man than a City fan, [...]

The right result in the Six Nations

Italy 23 - Scotland 20
England 33 - Ireland 10
Wales 29 - France 12
A Welsh Grand Slam. A new English star is born. The Italians make their new coach shed a tear.
It was quite an end to the 2008 Six Nations and arguably three of the best rugby matches in this year’s tournament.
The Italians claimed a last-minute win [...]

Keeping control in the Six Nations

Ireland 12 - Wales 16 
Scotland 15 - England 9
France 25 - Italy 13
Forget about dedication, control is what you need if you’re going to be the best and beat the rest.
On the penultimate weekend of the 2008 Six Nations, Wales exerted the type of control against Ireland that brought about a deserved win, a Triple Crown and [...]

Professionalism vs Patriotism

Did you hear the one about the Welsh, Scottish and Irish rugby players?
You probably didn’t if you tuned in to watch the BBC’s coverage of the third round of Six Nations matches.
A perceived English bias throughout the day-long coverage has riled some supporters and prompted at least one MP to complain to the BBC.
With all three [...]

Feeling the love in the Six Nations

Wales 47 - Italy 8
Ireland 34 - Scotland 13
France 13 - England 24
It was a super Saturday for the third round of the 2008 Six Nations with all three matches sandwiched between 3pm and 8pm.
The prospects for a day of tries, tries and yet more tries looked good as Wales put a stuttering first half performance [...]

Add Gazza to a lengthening list

The pressures on Paul Gascoigne have been mounting since he first started to cause excitement on a football pitch and arguably they increased still further when he was simply unable to carry on playing the game he loves.
The decision to section Gazza under the Mental Health Act will, hopefully, see him finally get the professional support [...]

Trying times in the Six Nations

Wales 30 - Scotland 15
France 26 - Ireland 21
Italy 19 - England 23
“For God’s sake!”
The quote of the second week of the 2008 Six Nations had to come from an apoplectic Brian Moore, his face the colour of beetroot as he commented on England’s stumbling win against Italy.
I’m only guessing that his face had turned the shade [...]

Fear and loathing in the Six Nations

Ireland 16 - Italy 11
England 19 - Wales 26
Scotland 6 - France 27 
If the build up to the 2008 Six Nations was characterised by uncertainty - new coaches, old players, different styles - then the first week was afflicted by nerves and hesitancy.
From the dour opening match in Dublin - an unconvincing Ireland ground out [...]