What a splendid start to the day, glorious sunshine and enough in the rugby pages to get my teeth into. Let’s start with money. The reported investment into London Irish hasn’t gone well so far with players and staff going unpaid. Alarm bells are ringing in Brentford and Twickenham right now. Insolvency experts have broken the glass and pressed that alarm bell. The players association is quoted to be on “ a state of high alert”. I don’t want to be a smug, arrogant b’stard but I will, I told you so, and have been telling you so for years. Top flight rugby in the UK cannot sustain itself with the current failed business model. I am not as clued up on London Irish as I was with Worcester and Wasps where clearly financial mismanagement was at fault. There is hope the money will arrive today and people will be paid. It’s a sticking plaster over a gaping wound however.

Then I read that Ealing Trailfinders, who despite all their investment came second in the Championship behind Jersey Reds, are still splashing the cash. Four big names, including Billy Twelvetrees and Jordy Reid both former Kingsholm favourites have signed for next season. The other two are Lewis Boyce from Bath and Biyi Alo from Racing 92. Sadly I believe Ealing Trailfinders is a disaster waiting to happen as its success has been built on largesse rather than sound long term financial management. When you consider the ground only holds 5,000 and their average crowd is at best 1200 I rest my case m’lud.

South Africa have reported a loss in this years accounts. Surprise, surprise, it is a result of the ridiculous decision to play in the United Reform Church mash-up and the European Cups. When will be people start to see sense.

Moving on it seems Andy Marinos left Rugby Australia as a result of objecting to the huge $1.6m(aus) pay deal for Joseph Suaalii and butting heads with Chair Hamish McLennan and Eddie Jones over their desire to go poaching NRL players rather than investing in the talent already in the union system. Wherever Jones goes, controversy follows. Now, here’s a thought. Andy Marinos is a very astute guy. He knows rugby, he knows business, he knows Wales. Join the dots folks and the answer is…. Yes, WRU’s new CEO.

Much in the papers about England’s Six Nations triumph, and a triumph it was. The Torygraph expresses concerns that despite the success of the Six Nations as a whole, and the recent Women’s World Cup the blazers who run the game are still dithering about what next. There have also been several positive comments about Le Crunch. The early kick off, the more diverse crowd and the pre-match build up made it a very pleasant experience for many. This opposed to battling drunken arses who’ve been on the lash since the early hours who are only there because it is “de rigueur to be at Twickers darling”. Being able to sit and watch a whole game without having to let some tosser or other go for another beer or another wee every five minutes was something to behold apparently.

Much in the Welsh press about Warren Gatland’s RWC training squad, but it was a piece in The Guardian that caught my eye. The headline goes something like “Gatland has the jump on Borthwick”. In essence the bulk of Gatland’s squad is available pretty much right now. Borthwick has to wait until the season finishes and that includes the play-offs where many of his starters will find themselves. He also has to cope with the mandatory breaks for England players post season. So instead of players arriving en masse Borthwick has to accept players will arrive in batches, a bit like an ink subscription for your Epson printer. That is you run out and are desperate then you end up with way too much.

Talking of the World Cup Portugal, the minnows of the tournament alongside Chile, are struggling to fund any sort of preparation with camps in Turkey and high altitude training in Switzerland but a dream.

Lee Blackett ends his short stay in Wales and heads over the Severn Bridge to Bath next season. That is a good acquisition for Bath. Richard Blaze is another who joins the West Country outfit.

I’ll look ahead to the weekend’s fixtures tomorrow but don’t forget to book your place on the coaches to the Stone-X. Full details will be sent out hopefully tomorrow. For those making their own travel arrangements you’ll need to check with the stadium directly but it is a free to enter, ticketless event.

Tuesday 2nd May: 08:20

There is only one place to start and that is Steel Cross, and maybe not for the reasons you are expecting. On Sunday, in the early afternoon, my neighbours lad came over. What did he want I thought. Actually, it was to show me his “most improved player of the year” award presented to him at the minis awards day. I asked him if he had had a good day, and if he was enjoying playing rugby, and was he going to play again next season. The answer to all was “yes”. This normally quiet, socially awkward young boy was so enthusiastic about the game and the club it was heartwarming to say the least. I understand the minis day was great fun for all and beautifully well organised as always. Well done all.

The second thing that made me proud to be part of this club is the Friday Club. On Friday an issue came to light that needed attention. The call went out for help. No matter that it was a Bank Holliday yesterday seven of the old farts turned up at 09:00 and got stuck into the task ahead of them. By 11:45 the back of the challenge at been broken. Well done guys. You know who you are!

Can you believe within hours of the note going out about the trip to the Stone-X over 170 people had signed up for coach transport. If you haven’t already then you better get cracking because places are now at a premium.

My good friend Nigel has been in touch. He was at the Principality for “Judgement Day”, basically the day when the four Welsh sides battle it out to see who is the best of the worst in the URC. Anyway, being somewhat disappointed about the quality of the rugby, it must have been poor as the Dragons won, he has asked me to comment on players warming up in the dead ball area whilst the game is going on. Firstly there is nothing in law that says this can’t happen, and as long as everything is cleared with the referee before hand then crack-on. Where the waters are muddied is when that warm up strays into the field of play, and also when there is risk of interference. This is an issue that can occur but is seldom dealt with, but should be. The Premiership seem to have got this right. Where previously teams would warm up in the dead ball area they were attacking this has now been changed. For a start this removes the unedifying sight of the subs joining in try celebrations. It is also obvious subs are much quicker to leave the dead ball area if there is a risk of them interfering in an opposition attack. This seems counter-intuitive but is the case. The bottom line is subs have to warm up somewhere so the dead ball area it is.

Warren Gatland has announced a sizeable pre-World Cup training squad. There are number of notable absentees such as Wyn Jones and Ross Moriarty, and a number of unexpected inclusions. Will Rowlands despite being injured and heading to France is included. Currently he is injured but if he plays any part in two of the warm-up games he will qualify for the World Cup under the new 25 cap rule. Also included is Henry Thomas who has seven, yes seven England caps to his name AND is playing in France. He is a good player but his inclusion is a disgrace when Joe Hawkins is excluded. The WRU are cutting their nose off to spite their face where Hawkins is concerned. Plenty of the papers carry the story.

What Stuart Hogg is going to do post retirement is unclear. It is sad to read however that part of his reason for hanging up his boots is the pressure placed upon him. Yes he is rewarded handsomely for his services but is the person we see in front of the camera the real Stuart Hogg. Being unable to be yourself and go about life like you and I can take its toll and with a young family in tow it must be hard.

With the Rugby Championship on the horizon Eddie Jones is back in the news. Sky Sports ran a piece yesterday and Jones was back to his old tricks: talking absolute cojones and making snide comments about everyone else.

As the NFL draft is now done and dusted Rugby Australia is considering a draft for their five regional sides. The idea is to level the playing the field. Controversial, but I like it.

A tale of two Barnes. First up Stuart who has had a good old rant about Karl Dickson and the red card shown to Charles Olivon in the Toulon v Benetton game. I normally agree with Stuart but on this occasion I’m not convinced he is right. The second Barnes is Wayne. Is he going to referee the Champions Cup final. Makes sense but La Rochelle won’t like it. Tough!

Mick Lynch and that other joker over at ASLEF have called yet more strikes, strikes to coincide with big events such as the Eurovision, and yes that is a big event. They are economic terrorists, anarchists of the worst kind.

There are so many things to rant about but this woke nonsense is truly getting out of hand. Any form of abuse is unacceptable and discrimination in any form is outrageous. In my view pandering to the woke warriors and kowtowing to the loud mouth minorities is increasing abuse and discrimination rather than making the world a better place. So there !!!!

Monday 1st May: 08:10

The travel plans for the cup final at Stone-X are on the website. It’ll be by coach at a cost of £15. If you are thinking of travelling independently you will need to check the parking arrangements with the stadium. I am led to believe there a four games with ours kicking of at 15:00 on Sunday 7th May.

Yesterday I railed against what appeared to me a clear and obvious deliberate knock on in the Scarlets v Glasgow game. Well blow me down, the same happened in the Toulon v Benetton encounter. Commentating on BT Sport Ben Kay, who is always level headed and objective, was gobsmacked the Toulon winger was not yellow carded and a penalty try awarded to the visitors.

I understand sending a player from the field for a deliberate knock-on seems harsh but if the officials don’t then we have a real problem with our game. If Ollie Woodburn can be shown yellow for his actions then both these incidents should warrant the same treatment.

The Champions Cup will be between Leinster and La Rochelle. Based on the evidence of the weekend the two evenly matched sides could serve up a cracking contest. That would be nice after the two one-sided semis.

Toulon will take on Glasgow in the second tier cup. The game in Toulon was dire. Even against 14 men the Italian outfit were as blunt in attack as some of my butter knives.

Boring, yes it was very boring, and so was the Scaletrix. Even the so called highlights were boring.

The supporters of Sale and Northampton will be pleased at the news that Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes have signed new contracts at their respective clubs.

The Rugby Paper has reported that the RFU have identified a £50m black hole in their finances. It smacks of incompetence and is not helped by the union having to pay £5m to Compass Catering who have a 45% stake in the RFUs hospitality. How is the hole going to be filled? Cuts of course. Where are those cuts going to hit hardest? At the bottom of the food chain of course: grassroots rugby.

Outsourcing of catering is an interesting issue. It is common place but as pointed out in the Torygraph article of some weeks ago is something most of the French clubs don’t do. They manage their own affairs offering decent food at sensible prices. Around the UK grounds you’ll get not very good food at very expensive prices. That is what outsourcing brings you.

Head of Rugby Australia, Andy Marinos, has, in a shock move ahead of the World Cup, announced he is standing down. Marinos has been instrumental in turning around RAs finances and putting in place a number of positive changes to how the game is managed down under. No reason has been forthcoming. Marinos played at Newport RFC for a number of seasons by the way.

Chris Foy in the Fail lauds the success of the Red Roses. Not just the winning of the Six Nations but for bringing thousands of new fans to the game. As he says the women have given a timely boost to a game plagued by negativity. It is fair to say the Welsh Women have also brought some light to the darkest days of the game in Wales.

Things are far from great as the promised funding for the regions has not yet appeared and last weekend more games were conceded without a ball being passed than ever before. It is an embarrassment, in part due to the absence of promotion or relegation this season as the leagues are being reorganised for 23/24.

Moving to a different shaped ball it is make or break for Leicester City as they host beleaguered Everton tonight. Nerves are jangling already.

The papers are full of the coronation and the upcoming local elections. Sadly it is the woke nonsense that catches my eye. Authors being cancelled, warnings on the most benign of activities, staff being allowed to work from home because it is to stressful to commute, and so it goes on. The world is going to batshit when the police threaten a hard working heating engineer, an engineer who specialises in energy efficiency, with public order offences as he ripped up a stop oil banner. So these morons can cause road chaos holding up the very people trying to improve the planet with impunity while hardworking people who don’t have the time to protest about anything are punished.

Sunday 30th April: 08:10

There is only one place to start and that is at Steel Cross. What a game of rugby. Fast and furious between two evenly matched sides. Falmouth, with the unenviable league record of played 22, lost 22, certainly didn’t arrive at Steel Cross to make up the numbers. This was a proper contest in front of a large and vociferous home crowd.

The game was preceded by a league lunch where President (for life) Clark presented Falmouth with a club plaque as a memento of their trip. By the way, it was an excellent lunch. Thank you Jacqui! Sadly for the visitors they were to go home, some six and a bit hours away, otherwise empty handed.

The pitch was just about perfect and the sun shone brightly on the combatants. An early Crowborough score kicked things off and murmurings of a stroll in the park were heard. It was anything but as Falmouth came storming back. The game ebbed and flowed with high quality attack being thwarted by brutal defence. The crunching tackles sent a shudder through the bones of the watching faithful. Bertie Boast was the ringmaster at outside half but yet again it was Rob Lester, Dave Bennett and the “everywhere man” Alex Purnell who caught the eye early on. Young Josh Radford and Elliot Rensch were certainly not overawed by the occasion playing their part wonderfully.

On the other side of the equation Falmouth #10, Ben Rosevear, was outstanding. Surely a player of this quality couldn’t be part of a season long losing streak. He was the catalyst for much of Falmouth’s good work, and very good it was too. They played with pace and commitment and matched Crowborough score for score. The Bard’s report will be on the website shortly.

Right up until the closing stages the game could have gone either way. With tiring bodies and tiring minds the contest became a little scrappy but it was Crowborough who held their nerve best. Taking advantage of a late yellow card shown to Falmouth for offside in the red zone Crowborough took control of the final minutes to close out the game. There was palpable relief on and of the field at the final whistle. Crowborough now head to Stone X Stadium, home of Saracens, for the final, a final against Thanet Wanderers who beat High Wycombe 38-27.

Falmouth deserve huge praise, not only for how they played, but also their commitment. It would have been easy to have cried off, as so many clubs had done in this tournament previously. They could have won and no-one at Crowborough RFC would have begrudged them that honour. I repeat myself: it was a CRACKING contest.

I will do my best to keep you appraised of the travel arrangements for the final which is on Sunday, kicking off at 15:00. I am led to believe a coach has been pre-booked. Watch this space.

Elsewhere Horsham beat St Austell by a couple of points to progress to their final. East Grinstead failed to get past Wensleydale (cheese Grommit) after their long and arduous journey to the Yorkshire moors, or is it dales. All whippets and flat caps either way.

I saw some of the England v France game. England 33-0 at half time with France fighting back to dominate the second half. Must have been a hell of a game. I might pick this one up on iPlayer. According to the Friday Club members who opted for £7 a pint Twickenham as opposed to Steel Cross it was an amazing occasion and an amazing game.

Talking of amazing games, the Super Rugby Chiefs v Crusaders, billed as an All Black trial, was outstanding.

Sadly the Scarlets couldn’t get past Glasgow in the Challenge Cup. Glasgow were deserved winners but there was, in my opinion, one outrageously poor refereeing decision by Msr Raynal that went against Scarlets when they were in the ascendancy. It was a deliberate knock-on and should have been a penalty try and a yellow card shown to the Glasgow winger. No ifs, no buts. Nothing will happen to Msr Raynal as referees continue to be untouchable even when glaring, in my opinion, mistakes are made.

Toulon v Benetton and La Rochelle v Exeter this afternoon. Both should be cracking games.

I’ll pick up on the other rugby stuff tomorrow but will close by saying that whilst we have enjoyed two wonderful cup games and go into a final, the slice of pizza cup has been ill-thought through and shambolic in terms of outcome. Once again that is my opinion.

Thursday 27th April: 08:10

I think I’ve adequately covered off the upcoming fixtures but it would be remiss of me not to remind you 15:00, Steel Cross, Saturday, CRFC v Falmouth, AND it is not too late to book lunch.

Walking rugby at 18:00 tonight is also worth another plug. Sadly I won’t be there as I have other matters to attend to.

More success for former Crowborough youngster Ben Chapman as he wakes this morning with a sore head after Cardiff University beat Swansea University in the Welsh varsity series. Yes, you missed that one didn’t you!! Thank you WalesOnline.

Simon Middleton is hoping to walk away from the Women’s England job with his side winning in style. England will win, but not anywhere near as easily as they have done to date. France are a different proposition to the other four nations in the tournament. Isn’t it fantastic that close to 53,000 will be at Twickenham for this one. I declined a very kind offer of a ticket but the slice of pizza cup and a family commitment was a bigger draw.

Middleton has said he is not concerned who comes after him as long as it is the very best person for the job. Man, woman, an ogre called Shrek, he doesn’t care. Sadly however others see things differently and are accepting less than mediocrity to tick the political correct woke card. The world is going mad.

Talking of madness Robert Kitson yet again hits the nail firmly on the head with his interview with the main man at Rams (Old Readingsians or something like that). Here is a club who could if results go their way be in line for promotion to the Championship. Or could they? Like clubs up and down the pyramid they don’t know where they stand for next season. How do you plan for that level of uncertainty. We at CRFC have no idea what next season holds for us despite our amazing run to the line and finishing 9th. It is a shambles, and a shambles all because of the Premiership. Is it going to 10 teams and what happens to the Championship. Is that going to 10 teams and how does that impact on the league below. It is not good enough.

The article also rips into the farcical and non-sensical decision to implement a change in the tackle height for everyone, everyone except the Premiership and Championship. At the so called “listening forums” this was raised as a massive issue over and over again. The tone deaf RFU have totally ignored this and other sensible suggestions and simply steamrollered the new tackle height through the process. The blazers on the RFU council too scared to stand up for the game for fear of being kicked off the gravy train should be ashamed of themselves. Coaches, players, the poor old referees are all booking their places on anatomy courses so they can be clear where the base of the sternum is. It is a joke of epic proportion.

This is all because of litigation. I have been doing this drivel for close to 12 years now and during that time I have repeatedly said the minute the injury lawyer vultures got stuck into the game, the game would wither and die on the vine. We are not there yet but people are voting with their feet and it might not be long before that prophecy comes to pass.

I 100% support the need to make the game safer but for heavens sake use some common sense. Delaying the change to the tackle height until season 24/25 would make zero difference and changing it for the whole game would send the right message. This is truly important. At the moment where the most harm is being done is exempt. What a joke with a capital “F”.

What makes matters worse is when you see Wales young star Dafydd Jenkins quite rightly getting sent off and then receiving a three ban for a dangerous tackle, but then being allowed to reduce the punishment by going to “tackle school”. Honestly, I feel like finishing this blog and calling it a day with regard to rugby.

Grieg Laidlaw, Scotland great is hanging his boots up at the end of the season. At 37 enough is enough and his short stint in Japan will have filled the coffers sufficiently to make it a pleasant retirement indeed.

Friday Club breakfast beckons but before I go I read that Stephen Barclay has now been accused of bullying. If rugby being a laughing stock was bad enough, politics is even worse. Tell those in the civil service if they want to keep topping up they eye-wateringly lucrative pension schemes then they better knuckle down and do what they are told and what they are paid to do. This bullshit about bullying has to stop.

Likewise we have to stop pandering to these eco-zealots. They are making matters worse not better. I find it somewhat ironic that in every picture of their actions there is a queue of buses being held up. Surely we need to encourage people onto public transport and out of their cars. You muppets, and that includes the pathetic police who stand idly by.

Wednesday April 26th: 09:05

Not a great deal to report today I’m afraid. I can confirm Falmouth have made a reservation in Gatwick for Friday night and advised us of their ETA at Steel Cross for Saturday. The game is on. Contact Louise if you want lunch. It should be a cracking day.

Many congratulations to former Crowborough junior, Ben Chapman. He has been selected in the England University squad to face France on May 6th. Great news!!

What else has been confirmed? Tottenham Stadium will host the finals of the 2024 European Cups. Should be a cracking occasion in the heart of London.

The RFU have been considering an interesting proposal with regard to the soon (allegedly) to be unemployed Anthony Watson. As Leicester Tigers try to balance the books there is a risk Watson could be considered too expensive to keep at Welford Road and as a consequence an ideal recruit for a French club. In order to avoid that happening and Watson becoming ineligible for the World Cup the RFU are considering placing him on a “training contract” until after the tournament has concluded. The Daily Fail for the full story.

Rugby Australia are back in the black after near financial collapse during the covid pandemic. Well done them!!!

What we already knew has been confirmed. Scrum caps are totally ineffective in preventing concussion. They do prevent ear damage such as the fabled cauliflower ear so they won’t be going away anytime soon.

Plenty in the papers about the number of players who could soon find themselves unemployed and the challenge of where do they go next. Robert Kitison in The Guardian highlights the issue.

The Worcester Warriors saga rumbles on. What was considered to be a rescue package seems to be no such thing. The consortium led by Jim O’Toole have until May 2nd to finalise the deal and produce the guarantees demanded by the administrators. What a shambles. Cowboys running rugby is what this is.

As I trawl through the papers I can’t believe the scientists are still trying to make us believe covid is a problem. What is a problem is the awful state of our economy and much of that has been driven by the totally unnecessary panic around Covid, and the profligate spending during that time, and the crooks who have got fat off the back of it.

That’ll do except to say Happy Birthday to my granddaughter Verity: 9 today, well done to our under 17s and under 15s for their wins on Sunday, and don’t forget walking rugby is tomorrow at 18:00

Tuesday April 25th: 08:10

Plenty to look forward to this weekend. Obviously Crowborough v Falmouth being the highlight. Watch this space about the pre-match lunch. Horsham host St. Austell and East Grinstead travel to Wensleydale, which if my geography is correct is about 300 miles and at least 7 hours away by coach. Plenty of cheese there Grommit.

The Six Nations showdown is upon us, Le Crunch, England v France in front of a record breaking 50,000+ supporters at Twickenham. Both sides unbeaten with England strolling through thus far. France have not had it as easy as both Italy and Wales pushed them hard despite the respective scorelines. The England game kicks off at 13:00 and will be on at the club ahead of the Falmouth game.

Italy v Wales is at 15:30. A Wales win would cement them as “best of the rest” and be a decent reward for the new professional setup in the Principality. Scotland v Ireland rounds things off.

The tournament has a lot going for it but sadly, as stated previously, for many years to come England v France will always be the decider. Resources is the issue and it will remain so. Ireland have the best opportunity to close the gap but I understand whilst the men’s game has got it right there are still enough dinosaurs around who think the women should still be powdering their noses rather than playing rugby. Assholes!!

European beckons this weekend with Leinster v Toulouse on Saturday and La Rochelle v Exeter on Sunday in the Heineken Cup. Two cracking semi-finals. A Leinster v La Rochelle final?

In the old Parker Pen (remember that) it is Scarlets v Glasgow and Toulon v Benetton. I go for Glasgow v Toulon but both fixtures are too close to call.

Plenty of Super Rugby to watch too.

The Premiership Cup is to be expanded next season with the four pools of six teams. Five games then the top four go in to the shoot out. Championship clubs have been included which will be an opportunity to see the vast chasm between the top flight and second tier. Good money making opportunity for the cash strapped Championship sides however. This all happens at the start of next season whilst the World Cup is in full swing. BBC Sport for more info.

Jack Willis has said the RFU must relax the rules with regard to picking players plying their trade overseas. Yet again we have a player who has moved abroad for the money but wants more money. No, you nob, you have made your bed now lie in it.

For Wales and Scotland it is a different dynamic and therefore pragmatism has to come into play. The paucity of resources available to those countries means a reduction in the eligibility criteria, or in Scotland’s case, they’ll pick anyone, has to come into play. Remember there are more rugby clubs in Yorkshire than there are in Wales so why would England want to change the rules.

Has Luke Cowan-Dickie blown his chances of a big money move to Montpellier. He missed a planned medical which allegedly followed a heavy drinking session in the city. Montpellier have been twitchy about the deal for sometime as Cowan-Dickie has been slow to recover from his ankle injury. Time will tell.

Could inspirational Springbok captain Siya Kolisi be out of the World Cup. He has suffered an ACL injury so surgery and a long period of recovery lies ahead.

What’s been happening elsewhere. The moronic climate zealots who want us to return to living in caves are at it again. They seem to be happy to live in caves as long as they can still drive to Waitrose in their 4x4s. Go on the interweb thingy and look up the story. At last a judge who has grown a pair. Five years for those two clowns who climbed the Dartford Crossing bridge. Hoorah!

Put the colour of your politics to one side for a moment please. Are managers no longer allowed to manage? If employees don’t want to work, or disagree with what they are being asked to do they can start scurrilous rumours about bullying and get you sacked. When did trying to get the job done in the most efficient way become bullying. The world is going mad as Dominic Raab is sacked. It is no wonder nothing gets done. If you don’t like it you lily-livered numpties go and work in a supermarket. Do a proper days work for once.

Why are people insisting we change the content of much loved books by much loved authors. If people are so sensitive that language from a bygone era offends them then DON’T READ THE BOOK. If you don’t like this blog stop reading it. I am offensive.

Monday April 24th: 08:05

What a difference a day makes. Saturday at Steel Cross gloriously warm. Yesterday a miserable day. I hope the boys and girls who played in those terrible conditions didn’t get too dispondent.

Some great feedback about Saturday. The referee took time to write and thank us for a great day and congratulate both teams on their approach to the game. Mavericks have also been fulsome in their praise going as far as saying so on their website.

It was rather remiss of me not to mention the referee in the match report. Quite frankly he was brilliant, probably the best all season. Consistent, accurate, unfussy, fit.

What next? We have been drawn at home against Falmouth. That is quite a trek for them but being one step away from a final I am sure they will arrive ready and fired up. They beat Alton relatively comfortably on Saturday. The other semi is Thanet vs High Wycombe.

Despite thoroughly enjoying the game, and the occasion, on Saturday there is still much wrong with this competition. You only have to flick through the many different cups and see the plethora of HWO and AWO to realise the farcical nature of what is going on.

Talking of farcical, the RFU have confirmed they will introduce the new tackle height next season for all games below the Championship. Tackles must be below the base of the sternum. When many rugby players don’t know their arse from their elbow that is straightforward then. Why they have not gone for below the level of the armpit is beyond me. If you watched the Sarries v London Irish game yesterday there was one bone crunching tackle on or around the chest area. Perfectly legal under current laws but would it be under the new ones. I couldn’t tell you as I could not tell you where the base of the tackled player’s sternum was. It was definitely below the armpits however.

The RFU will argue they conducted 1000s of interviews and held face to face and virtual conferences to discuss the changes. I was at one of those and quite frankly the decision was already made and nothing was going to change their minds.

I see Jack Nowell got fined £10k for his rant on Twitter. In law Karl Dickson was spot on. Ollie Woodburn was in the wrong on two counts, law 13 and 14, and being in the red zone therefore worthy of a yellow card. So Dickson was right and my protestations were wrong. I guess that is the end of it.

Well, actually, I stick by my concern that referees are untouchable and that isn’t good for the game. Referee’s make mistakes yet they are not taken to task over them. That has to change. I am of the opinion players are being put in harms way as a result of poor refereeing but it seems nothing can be done about it. We need more transparency and honesty across the board. Nowell’s fine shows how out of touch the blazers are.

Some cracking rugby over the weekend. Congratulations to Saracens, they have secured top spot after their win over London Irish. Bath stun Quins at Twickenham with another late comeback. I understand this was a cracking game and a great day out. Your top four are now confirmed: Sarries, Sale, Leicester and Northampton. With no relegation what is there left to play for? European places I guess but that will be tainted by sides resting players ahead of the play-offs. Hey ho.

Do you get the feeling the game is going down the toilet and I for one am getting disillusioned by it?

Wales put up a valiant effort against France in the Six Nations winning the second half 14-10. Yes they lost 39- 14 but this was a performance to give the girls a great deal of confidence for the future.

London Irish have new American backers. There is talk of investment and discussions about moving from Brentford. Wimbledon’s Plough Lane is being mooted as an alternative. It would be a shame to move from Brentford but as the Bees are now in the Premiership they don’t need the Irish revenue nor the mess they make of the pitch.

Dai Young has not been seen at Cardiff recently. He has been suspended for unspecified reasons.

That’ll do. I need to keep some stuff back for tomorrow.

Sunday April 23rd: 09:20

As I am doing the match report today’s blog is basically that plus a few extra bits. Back with the normal drivel tomorrow.

Crowborough progressed into the semi-finals of the Papa Johns Community Cup with an impressive win at a resplendent Steel Cross yesterday. The pre-match lunch was excellent as always, as was the warm welcome for our visitors from north of the Thames. It must be said they were very impressed with our facilities and grounds which is another testament to those who give up their time to make the club the place it is.

It was also good to chew the fat with some old stagers like Kevin and Colin.

The minutes applause for Crowborough stalwart Dave “The Judge” Pass set the tone for the match ahead. Loud and fulsome.

We were ahead after just 4 minutes when the powerful Crowborough pack drove Mavericks backwards. The ball quickly moved from James Hart to Bertie Boast who fed Rob Lester who came into the line at pace and at an acute angle for the score under posts. Hart added the extras.

Mavericks finally got going after weathering the storm of Crowborough’s early pressure. They were pacy in attack with powerful runners out wide. Ten minutes gone and Crowborough knew they were now in a game. Mavericks could easily have levelled the score after some wonderful handling but were let down by a wayward final pass. This was to be a problem for them throughout the contest. Despite the visitors pressure it was Crowborough who got the scoreboard moving again. Following a series of long raking kicks ‘Borough found themselves deep in the Maverick half. Quick ruck ball was moved wide where the excellent Will Creasy latched on to the ball and powered over for the try. Hart was again sure with the boot. 12-0.

The game now was ebbing and flowing with both sides showing a positive intent on a pitch perfect for fast, open rugby. The large crowd were being thoroughly entertained. It was the home side who were more accurate and extended their lead after a penalty found touch near the corner. The ball was moved wide where a ruck was formed from which the quick thinking Harry Slatter picked up and powered over. 21-0.

Crowborough continued to edge the 50/50 encounters using the ball well. Youngsters Josh Radford and George Boynton were playing their part with Crowborough going close on several occasions. The pressure final told when elder statesman Dave Bennett finishing off an excellent passage of play that split Maverick’s defence wide open. Hart missed the extra points.

Mavericks were not playing badly and the scoreboard did not reflect the quality of their play. Their fire power wasn’t quite good enough to get past the ‘Borough defence and those wayward final passes were hurting. However, on the stroke of half-time after an unusual period of sloppy play by Crowborough Mavericks secured the ball some 60 metres out from the try line. Slick inter-passing, outstanding support lines and deceptive running freed up the visitors powerful No.8 who outstripped the home defence to score from 40 metres out under the posts. Half-time 26-7.

The opening exchanges of the first half definitely went the way of the visitors. Sniping runs from the half backs and powerful support from mid-field kept the ‘Borough defence on their toes. Sadly that final pass with the try line begging to be crossed let the Mavericks down. The pressure exerted by the visitors was forcing the home side into uncharacteristic errors and poor decision making but it wasn’t enough to get the scoreboard moving.

In fact it was Crowborough who extended their lead after 25 minutes of the second half. A kick to touch and a powerful drive from the lineout followed by some good pick and drives freed up Boast who again found Lester coming at pace on the angle for the try under the posts. With the extra points from Hart 33-7.

Mavericks to their credit weren’t giving up. With about 8 minutes to go they pounced on an overly ambitious offload by ‘Borough to get the ball moving out wide. Slick passing, and excellent support lines found the big No.8 charging down the wing. A short sharp pass found the winger in support who crashed over in the corner. The conversion was missed. 33-12.

Crowborough weren’t done yet and with the seconds ticking down to full time closed the game off with another well taken try. A quick tap penalty taken by Slatter was offloaded to skipper Alex Purnell. A couple of further offloads found Bennett in space with him going over for his second of the day. An excellent way to finish for Crowborough, and for Bennett who was magnificent from start to finish.

This was an outstanding team performance that if replicated next weekend against Falmouth could see Crowborough contesting the final. Steel Cross for that one. Kick off 14:30.

Thursday April 20th: 07:41

Another few hundred motorway miles under the belt this week. That said I have been surprised at how relatively quiet and free flowing the motorways have been. My dear old mum is struggling at the moment hence the regular trips to Bridgnorth.

Less about me, so let’s crack on as there is plenty to cover off. First up Jack Nowell, he has been cited because of his criticism of Karl Dickson and that yellow / red card decision. The game is losing sight of what is important. Abuse is not acceptable but this wasn’t abuse, this was a comment on a very questionable decision made by a very well paid referee at the very top of our game. We need to protect referee’s but they are not always right and there is a risk that when we put them on pedestals, and the law says whatever the referee says is always right, we end up with arrogance and ignorance and pedantry. Karl Dickson is a good referee. He applied the law as it is written (I believe) but that pedantry has left the game in turmoil and that is what is wrong with our game. It is too complicated and lacks empathy at crucial times. We are doing the wrong things and for the wrong reasons. The tackle law is about to change, not to improve the spectacle on show, but because of impending legislation. Yes, you can argue it is about player safety, but that mantra is also about the impending legislation.

Moving on we have Ellis Genge and another example of rugby getting it wrong. Genge was cited and subsequently given a three match ban following a dangerous tackle on Tom Currry. Three weeks is the norm. Fair enough. However, Genge will only serve a two match ban because he will attend “tackle school”, the equivalent of a speed awareness course. Oh, what a surprise, he now won’t miss Engalnd’s warm up games. This is bullshit when you have players at the lowest level of the game having to endure the full three match suspension often leaving their clubs in difficulty. I would argue miscreants at the top of the game should be dealt more harshly not leniently.

Lots in the press about players leaving clubs. The salary caps across England and Wales are really biting, but they have to. The choice is get your house in order or find yourself at level 12 like Worcester. Marcus Smith saying the salary cap has to change is misguided, especially when his salary is off the scale. Of course he wants to play abroad. He wants more money. If that is the case, go. I am sure Harlequins would find it difficult to fill the gap he would leave, but fill the gap they would. In fact Jarod Evans is a fine player. Problem solved.

The Women’s Six Nations continues this weekend. Plenty in the papers about how the tournament isn’t working due to the dominance of England and France. Stick with it is what I say but expect England v France to be the decider every season for many years to come.

I thank my friend Duncan for sending me an excellent piece in the Torygraph. It highlights many differences between French rugby and the success there of and the English game. In essence the French have thought it through from top to bottom, the English haven’t. Simple things like avoiding the grassroots game clashing with the top flight game. Making the game at the top level more financially accessible. Local clubs going the extra mile with regard to match day hospitality. It’s a good piece. I’ll dissect it in more detail next week.

My mate Richard from Horsham has been in touch. Thanks for your very generous praise on how we at CRFC turned our season around. He, like me, questions the sense in the slice of pizza cup. His club could be drawn against Morpeth in Northumberland. Who plays at home is crucial. The away team will have to stay overnight on Friday and you can imagine the cost. Even if they get drawn against St Austell that is still a hell of a trek requiring an overnight stay.

We are at home against Mavericks from Brentwood. 15:00 kick off. See you there.

Going back to the game being a shambles The Guardian has produced two articles about the Championship. In essence the Championship is on its uppers because funding has been cut, and in the view of many, the RFU don’t see it as a feeder for the Premiership. This is where the French benefit as the Pro D2 is properly funded and supported. That said there isn’t the money in the English game and unless clubs have a huge benefactor they are not going to compete. This is where a 10 team Premiership and 10 team second tier (Prem 1 and Prem 2) could change the face of the game completely. Right now Ampthill in the Championship is almost a Quins development side. There’s your answer. Make it happen.

Have to go, the club beckons, line marking ahead of Saturday.

Tuesday April 18th: 09:05

Morning from an overcast Bridgnorth. Yes more motorway miles under my belt. Let me apologise for the hiatus in the availability of this here blog. Thank you to the three people who noticed. It wasn’t my fault by the way, and despite popular assumption it wasn’t the Russians or the North Korean’s. It might have been the vegan appreciation society “eat more meat, keep British farming”, farming!” It could also have been a plot by the Scots to stop me asking questions about the integrity of Wee Jimmie and her sleaze bag husband.

To more important news: Passy’s funeral arrangements. The funeral will be held at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium on Friday 12th May at 14:30, and thereafter at Steel Cross. Fran and the family have asked “please don’t wear black”. Those with club blazers are encouraged to wear them. Club shirts would also be appropriate. This is a celebration of a life, a full life.

So to rugby matters. Firstly, whilst I keep my head down on mini festival days can I say based on the reports I have read things went amazingly well. The pitches held up, the service from Jacqui and Louise was exemplary, the work Kirsty and Ben did before beforehand, during and post was superb. The contribution of all the volunteers was outstanding and this is what makes Crowborough RFC an outstanding club. It fair made my day when I read all the plaudits.

Secondly, the slice of pizza cup. The draw has been made and we are playing none of those mentioned in my last missive. We are playing Mavericks from Brentwood in Essex, apparently the only way is Essex! Looking at Counties 1 Essex they finished 9th with a very similar record to ours. Should be a good game. Kick off at 15:00. There will be a lunch if you are interested. Sadly I can’t make that, but I should be back just in time for kick off. Not that my arrangements are of any interest to you.

What probably is of interest is Ollie Woodburn’s second yellow card, and therefore a red. I have been involved in this game of ours since the age of 11. When did they stop defenders from preventing a try? Those who know every pica-dot of the law book will be able to send me the bit I need to look at I’m sure. Going forward every player will now dive from about 5 metres out to slide over the line knowing they are invincible. The game is going mad. Yet another example of the game shooting itself in the foot. 38 minutes of the game still to play but the contest was effectively over.

Could there have been a better way to sign off his rugby career than by breaking the 100 Premiership try barrier. Yes he has had his critics, but what a record. Well done Chris Ashton. Still time for a couple more me thinks.

I see France walloped Scotland in the Women’s Six Nations. No surprise there. France will beat Wales on Sunday and England will thump Ireland on Saturday. Sadly the disparity in the sides is not a great advert for the tournament. Fully professional, fully funded England will always win!!!

Regular reader Chichester Geoff has been in touch. He tells me Havant have been drawn against Heath RUFC in the slice of pizza challenge. Heath RUFC are from Halifax. Now that is an interesting and expensive draw. Any chance a HWO will feature. I hope not.

Geoff also makes a very good point about Simon Middleton’s demeaning suggestion to give women kickers in rugby the option to move in 10 metres from the touch line. He reminds me of the days when women footballers could hardly kick a ball and there were calls for smaller goals. Look at the game now. It is a great spectacle with the skills on show being top notch. Women’s cricket is in a similar place. Yes some concessions are made but not in a demeaning way. Mr Middleton get back in your box please.

The wonderful Shane Williams has had a bit of a rant about the obsession with the power game. Teams are scoring plenty of tries but when most of them have come from a kick to the corner and then a very technical catch and drive can you be satisfied with that. I’m with Shane. I want to see the ball moved around and players using skill and guile to score. Keep the brute force and ignorance for Greco-Roman wrestling. Compare the Super Rugby with some of the turgid stuff we see in the northern hemisphere. It is a wonderful spectacle by comparison.

Tony Rowe, Mr Money-bags of Exeter Chiefs, fears clubs could fold due to the huge debt burden they carry, especially as Covid loans are adding to that burden. I know Mr Rowe is not popular in the rugby world, especially with Sarries fans, but his interview in The Fail is well worth reading.

What does invading the snooker world championships and covering the table in orange paint achieve. I guess a few more likes in the evil world of Facebook and Twitter. The bloke is a muppet. I am sure there are many like me who once they heard what he had done wanted to drive around aimlessly in their cars using up oil just to spite the ignorant clown.

Sunday April 16th: 09:05

Reading Abbey was a motorway too far for me yesterday. If you got motorway miles like you get airmiles I’d be a gold card member right now. It wasn’t too far for the boys, or the wonderful Bard and his lovely wife. The boys came away with a 32-15 win after, according to the Bard, playing very well. The blow by blow account will be on the website soon.

What struck me as I checked the results was how many HWO and AWO there were. Sadly like many things in our game this cup competition has been poorly thought through and the result, or the lack of them, is clear for all to see. Seven fixtures in our part of the competition. Only two were actually played. That is an awful advert for the game. Admittedly in other parts of the tournament all the games went ahead but sadly that was the exception.

Who could we be drawn against? Alton, Aylesford Bulls, Folkestone, Thanet Wanderers, High Wycombe, and wait for it………. Falmouth. Yep, that is how crazy things have become. Cash strapped clubs at level 7 are expected to travel the breadth of the country. I’ll bring you the draw when I have it.

Mrs Bleater and I got back from Salisbury in time for the first half of the Wales v England game. As expected England were ruthlessly efficient and winning at a canter in the end. To be fair Wales kept them at bay for much of the first half but ultimately the cream rose to the top. It was brilliant to see the Arms Park full to the gunnels. I would also like to point out that whilst Joy Neville has been mired in controversy as a TMO she was on top of her game yesterday.

By the way, that idea of making concessions for women kickers. Nonsense, they can kick beautifully. No demeaning concession required.

Next up was Northampton Saints v Saracens II. Yes, it was a straight red card. When will the players learn. Yes, to a degree it spoilt the contest. No, a different player should not have been allowed on after 20 minutes. After the “pressures” of the last fortnight this was light relief with some pretty good rugby on show. Saracens will be a totally different challenge come the play-offs.

Based on what I watched on Friday Sale v Saracens could well be the final and if that came to pass I think it would be a brutal affair. May 27th is the play-off final. (The same day as my wedding anniversary).

Last up was Connacht v Cardiff. Considering the strength of the Cardiff side on show this was a one-sided contest. Irish rugby really is on a roll. Connacht, once the whipping boys of the Celtic league, are now right up there. The four Irish sides are all in the top six of the URC Championship. By contrast the four Welsh regions are all in the bottom six places. Now that tells you something.

Before my good friend Damper gets in touch, what a comeback by Bath on Friday night. Gloucester implode and Bath turn around a 17 point deficit.

Talking of Damper, a quick mention for the Friday Club, again. This week it has been the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Club. The old farts have worked tirelessly to get the grounds in as good a shape as possible for today’s mini festival. Well done boys. Good luck to Jacqui and Louise who will certainly have their hands full over the next few hours. Me, I’m keeping as far away as possible. Coward!!!!

What a coup for Leinster. As Stuart Lancaster moves to France so South African Head Coach Jacques Nienaber is to take over at Leinster. Nothing more needs to be said I think.

By contrast Dean Smith takes over at Leicester City. A quick trip to the JobCentre and there he was just hanging around. “He’ll do, and he’ll be cheap”. 3-1 defeat at Manchester City, it could have been a lot worse.

France v Scotland in the Six Nations and Leicester Tigers v Exeter in the Premiership today.

The Grand National went ahead yesterday despite the attempts of protesters. I am not a horse racing fan in any way shape or form. The Grand National wouldn’t have been on my radar except for the demonstrators. You know what, I am glad it went ahead. We cannot allow minority zealots spoil the enjoyment of the many. Sadly a horse died but what the protesting twits seemed to ignore is the 39 runners are probably some of the most pampered horses on the planet.

Oh what pleasure I am getting from seeing the SNP implode. Show me the money! The new guy is determined to push ahead with Wee Jimmie’s pathetic gender policy and continue to fight for independence. That’s the SNP screwed then.

Back tomorrow before hitting the motorway network. Oh what joy.

Thursday April 13th: 10:00

Anyone watching Big Billy Vunipola being stretchered off the field on Sunday would have feared the worst. Well the worst has come to pass as his season is over. This is a huge blow for Saracens as he has been in fine form. Whilst he has been overlooked by Steve Borthwick recently, any hope of a recall may also have gone out of the window. A “serious” knee injury is what the club is reporting.

The Premiership’s top try scorer Chris Ashton has announced he is to hang up his boots at the end of the season. 44 England caps to his name plus rugby league international honours put him up there with the best. Three times a Premiership winner and twice a Champions Cup winner is quite an accolade. The much travelled winger with his trademark dive will be missed. Good luck in retirement.

England Women’s Head Coach Simon Middleton has suggested the women’s game should adapt the laws to allow kicks at goal after tries to be moved ten metres further infield if a try is scored within 5 metres of the touch line. Nope. Not in my opinion.

The Worcester Warriors saga rumbles on. They have been told in no uncertain terms any plans to merge with a current club in the league pyramid will not be sanctioned by the RFU. They have stated that a merger with Stourbridge, recently relegated from National 2, won’t be approved. Worcester have to start from the bottom exactly as London Welsh have done. Why aren’t Wasps in the same position? Something to browse the interweb thingy for later.

Stourbridge’s relegation is somewhat of a surprise. An amazing ground with its stand and AGP pitch and a big catchment area to draw from. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact many of the first team players were not local and only there for the money. I don’t know, but I had expected Stourbridge to be going upwards and not downwards.

Joe Biden, how can you take the doddery old fool seriously. He rambles on about nothing, and is, in my opinion, showing signs of dementia. Running for re-election. Do me a favour. Anyway, his latest gaff is to call the All Blacks the Black & Tans, a notorious group of reserve troops who had a reputation for brutality during the Irish War of Independence, 1919 - 1921. How do people like him get elected? Mmm! Of course it is America where anything is possible. Go Homer Simpson.

Sale Sharks fans will be delighted with the news Manu Tuilagi has signed a new contract. He seems to be flourishing in the South African academy structure.

Rugby Australia are on the way back to financial recovery after new near collapse during Covid. They are however selling their soul to the devil with a private equity company buying a 19.5% stake. Things look rosy with two World Cups on the horizon and a Lions tour.

Don’t forget, loads of great rugby this weekend including Reading Abbey v Crowborough.

Really exciting news announced this week about Crowborough’s Academy initiative. It’s on this website so once you’ve read this nonsense go have a look.

Whilst Bumbling Joe and his trip to the Island of Ireland is a headline, as is the news that the royal hypocrite-in-chief; Harry, will attend King Charles III coronation it is the doctors strike and the trans debate that catches my eye.

Is it no wonder that sales of Bud Light and Nike products have fallen off a cliff as a result of having a publicity seeking trans person advertising their products. In the UK 0.5% of the population claim to be trans. Yes, just 0.5%, yet they seem to have a disproportionate amount of “airtime” and influence over the majority. This is what is wrong with society. Instead of treating everyone with respect and decency we end up pandering to those who make the biggest noise. For the record the issue of gender can be very complicated and cannot be dismissed. It needs to be considered sensitively.

Then we have the doctors strike. I think the very junior of junior doctors are undervalued, however, to have the union leader of the BMA bugger off on holiday thus meaning he will get paid during the strike is outrageous. I am also led to believe he is a very privileged, public school educated, director of his family business and worth millions. This sort of hypocrisy drives me mad.

Wednesday April 12th: 09:50

Sorry about the erratic nature of the blog at the moment. Life is erratic unfortunately. What is consistent is the fact money, money, money is part of the days rugby news. For Quins fans there is the news that Welsh internationals Dillon Lewis and Jared Evans have signed contracts for next season, this on the same day Harlequins announce the departure of six players. Joe Marchant being the biggest name to leave at the end of the season.

Nathan Hughes, remember him, now plying his trade in Japan, says the Premiership will continue to haemorrhage players as the salary cap bites deep into clubs resources. That exodus has already started I’m afraid. Increasing the salary cap is not the answer. In fact Leicester Tiger’s CEO Andrea Pinchen has said the planned increase in coming seasons should be put on hold. Clubs have to cut their cloth accordingly.

Talking of Leicester Tigers current DoR Richard Wigglesworth had a good old, but misplaced, rant on Friday after his side were put to the sword by Leinster. He claims the defat was all about the money. Sadly sir it wasn’t. The defeat was about the difference in structure of the game, long term planning, home grown talent and much more. Robert Kitson has articulated perfectly where Wigglesworth is wrong. He also points out that is rather hypocritical of Wigglesworth to talk money who as a player was at Saracens during the salary cap scandal, and also now at a club that has splashed many thousands on overseas stars such as Pollard and Montaye. As always a good article: The Guardian.

A couple of coaching changes in the offing. Alex Codling, former England lock is to take charge at Newcastle Falcons after the departure of Dave Walder. By the way, I hear on the grapevine that Newcastle dropping down a level is a bit more than paper talk. A ten team Premiership and a ten ten team Championship (Prem 2) could be closer than we think.

The other change is at Leeds Tykes. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/leeds-sack-dor-after-relegation-to-english-rugbys-4th-flight/

It is becoming increasingly clear that World Rugby are on the verge of sanctioning the use of an orange card. Straight red card and that’s it your done for the day and your team is down to 14 for the rest of the game. Yellow card and you are on the naughty step for ten minutes. Orange card is where the TMO will have eight minutes to review the incident and upgrade to a red or downgrade to a yellow. If it is an upgrade then after 20 minutes the player can be replaced. I have mixed feelings about this. Will referees dodge the big decisions by using the orange card, and is allowing a team back to 15 players after 20 minutes the right way to go?

What is coming up. Reading Abbey v Crowborough for a start. The Steel Cross boys are hoping for a slice of the action in the Papa Johns Cup. Kick off 15:00. It is increasingly likely I will not make it…….. yes life is erratic.

The Women’s Six Nations returns with Wales v England being the centre piece. England will win, and win at a canter. Italy v Ireland and France v Scotland are the other games.

The Premiership returns this weekend with Gloucester v Bath my standout fixture. Saints v Saracens on Saturday and Leicester v Exeter should also be worth watching, if you can, which I probably won’t be able to.

The United Reform Church also returns but I guess most of you are not vaguely interested in Ulster v Dragons on Friday evening. No, I didn’t think so.

There some things in the news that have got the blood pressure on the up. The whole gender identity issue is getting out of control and yet again a few trans zealots are insisting the majority have to bend to their way of thinking or else.

Sadiq Kahn needs to stop worrying about cars and get to grips with the appalling increase in knife crime.

So we can’t house ILLEGAL immigrants in disused airforce bases, or disused prisons or on barges but we are happy for terrorists and convicted murders to come and stay in the UK, along as it isn’t on my doorstep. NO! Illegal immigration has to stop and we have stop being lily-livered about it. Only this week a van load of weapons was seized en route to Albanian crime gangs already here in the UK. 190/90 is pretty bad so I’ll stop now.

Monday April 10th: 10:30

Belated Easter greetings on this damp and dismal Easter Monday. It is in Salisbury at least. Some cracking rugby over the weekend and a couple of talking points.

Let’s start with cards. If you watched the Reds v Brumbies on Friday morning you will have seen the Reds second row Blyth get a yellow card which was upgraded by the TMO to a red. On the negative side referee Ben O’Keefe should have shown a straight red as it was a head first tackle making significant contact with the Brumbies Tooley. The positive however was the yellow got him off the field without the interminable on-field deliberations of the officials allowing the TMO to make the decision, the correct decision, red card. The one other issue, in my mind, was 20 minutes later Blyth was replaced restoring the game back to 15 v 15. I can understand why Super Rugby are trialling this but it was such a despicable act the Reds should have played with 14 for the rest of the game.

Contrast that with the Scarlets v Clermont Auvergne game later that evening. Clermont’s Simone saw red for a high shot on Halfpenny. It was the right decision but the game was held up for quite some time whilst Wayne Barnes stood around looking at the big screen with its many different angles. Barnes could have shown a yellow and allowed the TMO to make the decision while the game progressed. This, by the way, was a cracking game.

Then we have Saracens Woolstencroft being shown a yellow card in the game against La Rochelle. I dislike Austin Healey’s commentary style but he did make a fair point that the yellow card looked very harsh. There should be a onus on players to protect themselves. Will Skelton put his head in dangerous positions throughout. In this incident I am not sure what Woolstencroft could have done other than stand there and say “go on then, you have the 50/50 ball in case I hurt you”. The game was pretty much over so it didn’t impact on the outcome. La Rochelle were imperious, especially in defence. Saracens had no answers with their attack looking pretty blunt as a result. The penalty count against Saracens will be a concern for the coaching team.

I caught some of the Benetton v Cardiff game. This was another enjoyable contest. Italian rugby is not dead, nor is Welsh rugby.

Exeter v Stormers was my final game of the day on Saturday. Exeter were at their ruthless best. They played some amazing rugby. The folly of including South African franchises in the tournament was laid bare on Saturday with the Stormers having to find flights for the squad then the tortuous routing to get to Exeter and as a consequence the lack of preparation time, and it showed.

So we have La Rochelle v Exeter and Leinster, who thrashed Leicester, hosting Toulouse. Your final will be Leinster v La Rochelle. No two ways about it.

Going back to travel, Exeter now have to find hotels and make travel arrangements for their trip to Bordeaux in a couple of weeks time. It is not a great advert for the tournament organisers.

I’ll save the other rugby news for tomorrow.

I see the chickens are coming home to roost and Wee J