Bleater's Blog
  1. The Season Run In
  2. It’s Six Nations Time!
  3. 2024 Has Arrived
  4. It’s Nearly Here…… January
  5. Countdown to Chri….. January!
  6. RWC 2023 - The Final Approaches
  7. Rugby World Cup 2023 Plus
  8. The Rugby World Cup Approaches
  9. The Summer Break
  10. The Final Countdown
  11. The Summer Tours Up Next
  12. Rugby Continues Thankfully
  13. The Six Nations - Happy Days
  14. 2023 Has Arrived
  15. The Halfway Point of the Season
  16. The Season Continues into Autumn
  17. Here we go! A new season
  18. The Twilight Zone
  19. The Season is Nearly Over
  20. The Six Nations and Some
  21. The 6 Nations Begins
  22. 2022 and All THAT!
  23. Christmas is nearly upon us!!
  24. We’re Still Waiting
  25. The Season Progresses
  26. At Last - We are back
  27. The New Season is Nearly Here
  28. Lions Tests are Here!
  29. The Lions Up next
  30. Now It’s Europe
  31. 6 Nations Beckons
  32. 2021 at last! A year of renewed hope!
  33. A New Premiership Season
  34. Still NO Grassroots Rugby!!!!!
  35. It Continues - NO GRASSROOTS RUGBY!!
  36. No End In Sight To The Madness
  37. Autumn Internationals BUT Still NO Crowds
  38. We're Back - In Part At Least
  39. The Restart is Still a Long Way Away
  40. When will we play again?
  41. Time for a beer and a haircut!!
  42. It's easing apparently???!!!
  43. Behind Closed Doors or ...... ??
  44. Lockdown or not to lockdown
  45. The Debate Continues
  46. Yet another new page
  47. The Nightmare Continues - the blog
  48. The Season Grinds to a Halt
  49. The Season Moves On
  50. It's Official - The Drought is Over
  51. 6 Nations Starts
  52. Another New Page - Sorry
  53. 6 Nations Beckons
  54. Welcome To A New Decade
  55. It'll soon be over. Xmas that is
  56. Xmas is Coming
  57. Back to the Grassroots Game
  58. Bleater in Japan
  59. The Grassroots Season Starts
  60. Not Long Now!
  61. Japan Still Beckons
  62. Japan Beckons
  63. Nearly Time To Look Ahead
  64. The Summer Break is Here
  65. The Final Countdown
  66. Yet another section of drivel
  67. The Season Continues for a Little Longer
  68. The 6 Nations Continues
  69. Six Nations and More
  70. It's RWC Year!!
  71. Its Definitely Winter
  72. Winter is here. Brrrr!!!
  73. Its the Autumn, soon to be Winter
  74. We Are Off And Running
  75. The New Season Approaches
  76. Still the Summer Tours Go On
  77. The Summer Internationals Plus, Plus
  78. The Season Climax Approaches
  79. Summer is Coming
  80. Another Section, More Drivel
  81. 2018 Already!!!! It'll soon be Xmas
  82. The Season Approaches the Half Way Point
  83. The Season Takes Shape
  84. The Season Starts
  85. More Pre-Season Build Up
  86. Pre-Season and Other Stuff
  87. The Lions Tested
  88. The Lions Roar
  89. We Are Still Counting Down
  90. It's All About The Lions
  91. The Countdown to Season's End
  92. The Season Continues Apace
  93. It's Time for the 6 Nations
  94. 2017 - Let The Fun Begin
  95. The Big Man Will Be Here Soon
  96. Let's Countdown to You Know What
  97. It's Time For Europe
  98. The Season Is Well Underway
  99. At Last Let The Competition Begin
  100. Not Long to the New Season
  101. Not So Much Rugby Now
  102. Still Plenty of Rugby to Debate
  103. The Summer Break
  104. Here Comes Summer
  105. They Think It's All Over
  106. Jones - A New Era
  107. It Was A Grand Slam!!!!
  108. 6 Nations - A Grand Slam??
  109. Six Nations 2016
  110. A New Captain, A New Start
  111. Welcome to 2016
  112. The Countdown to Christmas
  113. Winter Has Arrived
  114. November Movember
  115. The World Cup Is Over
  116. Rugby World Cup Quarters
  117. Rugby World Cup into the knockout stages
  118. Rugby World Cup Day 9 to Day 24
  119. Rugby World Cup Day 1 to Day 8
  120. Sept 9th to Sept 17th
  121. August 24th to September 7th
  122. August 11th to August 23rd
  123. July 16th to August 9th
  124. July 1st to July 15th
  125. June 17th to June 29th
  126. June 2nd to June 16th
  127. May 19th to June 1st
  128. May 7th to May 17th
  129. April 28th to May 6th
  130. April 22nd to April 27th
  131. April 13th to April 21st
  132. March 13th to Aprill 11th
  133. March 5th to March 12th
Bleater's Blog
  1. The Season Run In
  2. It’s Six Nations Time!
  3. 2024 Has Arrived
  4. It’s Nearly Here…… January
  5. Countdown to Chri….. January!
  6. RWC 2023 - The Final Approaches
  7. Rugby World Cup 2023 Plus
  8. The Rugby World Cup Approaches
  9. The Summer Break
  10. The Final Countdown
  11. The Summer Tours Up Next
  12. Rugby Continues Thankfully
  13. The Six Nations - Happy Days
  14. 2023 Has Arrived
  15. The Halfway Point of the Season
  16. The Season Continues into Autumn
  17. Here we go! A new season
  18. The Twilight Zone
  19. The Season is Nearly Over
  20. The Six Nations and Some
  21. The 6 Nations Begins
  22. 2022 and All THAT!
  23. Christmas is nearly upon us!!
  24. We’re Still Waiting
  25. The Season Progresses
  26. At Last - We are back
  27. The New Season is Nearly Here
  28. Lions Tests are Here!
  29. The Lions Up next
  30. Now It’s Europe
  31. 6 Nations Beckons
  32. 2021 at last! A year of renewed hope!
  33. A New Premiership Season
  34. Still NO Grassroots Rugby!!!!!
  35. It Continues - NO GRASSROOTS RUGBY!!
  36. No End In Sight To The Madness
  37. Autumn Internationals BUT Still NO Crowds
  38. We're Back - In Part At Least
  39. The Restart is Still a Long Way Away
  40. When will we play again?
  41. Time for a beer and a haircut!!
  42. It's easing apparently???!!!
  43. Behind Closed Doors or ...... ??
  44. Lockdown or not to lockdown
  45. The Debate Continues
  46. Yet another new page
  47. The Nightmare Continues - the blog
  48. The Season Grinds to a Halt
  49. The Season Moves On
  50. It's Official - The Drought is Over
  51. 6 Nations Starts
  52. Another New Page - Sorry
  53. 6 Nations Beckons
  54. Welcome To A New Decade
  55. It'll soon be over. Xmas that is
  56. Xmas is Coming
  57. Back to the Grassroots Game
  58. Bleater in Japan
  59. The Grassroots Season Starts
  60. Not Long Now!
  61. Japan Still Beckons
  62. Japan Beckons
  63. Nearly Time To Look Ahead
  64. The Summer Break is Here
  65. The Final Countdown
  66. Yet another section of drivel
  67. The Season Continues for a Little Longer
  68. The 6 Nations Continues
  69. Six Nations and More
  70. It's RWC Year!!
  71. Its Definitely Winter
  72. Winter is here. Brrrr!!!
  73. Its the Autumn, soon to be Winter
  74. We Are Off And Running
  75. The New Season Approaches
  76. Still the Summer Tours Go On
  77. The Summer Internationals Plus, Plus
  78. The Season Climax Approaches
  79. Summer is Coming
  80. Another Section, More Drivel
  81. 2018 Already!!!! It'll soon be Xmas
  82. The Season Approaches the Half Way Point
  83. The Season Takes Shape
  84. The Season Starts
  85. More Pre-Season Build Up
  86. Pre-Season and Other Stuff
  87. The Lions Tested
  88. The Lions Roar
  89. We Are Still Counting Down
  90. It's All About The Lions
  91. The Countdown to Season's End
  92. The Season Continues Apace
  93. It's Time for the 6 Nations
  94. 2017 - Let The Fun Begin
  95. The Big Man Will Be Here Soon
  96. Let's Countdown to You Know What
  97. It's Time For Europe
  98. The Season Is Well Underway
  99. At Last Let The Competition Begin
  100. Not Long to the New Season
  101. Not So Much Rugby Now
  102. Still Plenty of Rugby to Debate
  103. The Summer Break
  104. Here Comes Summer
  105. They Think It's All Over
  106. Jones - A New Era
  107. It Was A Grand Slam!!!!
  108. 6 Nations - A Grand Slam??
  109. Six Nations 2016
  110. A New Captain, A New Start
  111. Welcome to 2016
  112. The Countdown to Christmas
  113. Winter Has Arrived
  114. November Movember
  115. The World Cup Is Over
  116. Rugby World Cup Quarters
  117. Rugby World Cup into the knockout stages
  118. Rugby World Cup Day 9 to Day 24
  119. Rugby World Cup Day 1 to Day 8
  120. Sept 9th to Sept 17th
  121. August 24th to September 7th
  122. August 11th to August 23rd
  123. July 16th to August 9th
  124. July 1st to July 15th
  125. June 17th to June 29th
  126. June 2nd to June 16th
  127. May 19th to June 1st
  128. May 7th to May 17th
  129. April 28th to May 6th
  130. April 22nd to April 27th
  131. April 13th to April 21st
  132. March 13th to Aprill 11th
  133. March 5th to March 12th
Bleater's Blog 15 of 133

15. The Halfway Point of the Season


Friday 30th Dec: 08:25

So much for “I’ll be back tomorrow”. I’ve been somewhat under the weather the last few days and that combined with a trip to Salisbury has meant the desire to put fingers on keyboard has been less than enthusiastic. A Friday Club special beckons this morning so I have to stop feeling sorry for myself and like a pair of curtains, pull myself together.

There has not been much in the rugby pages over the last few days so you haven’t missed much. The big story, if it can be called that, is what is going to happen to Joe Marler. In the game against Bristol he quite clearly said something that set off a very unsavoury chain of events. We’ll know soon enough. Is this just Joe being Joe or is he thinking a good few weeks off with the family, and getting out of the Six Nations will make it all worthwhile.

It wasn’t the greatest of games against Bristol with the weather playing its part in a negative way. There were some entertaining moments and some very skilful passages of play. Otherwise it was a battle against the elements with much drudgery as a consequence.

Let us hope for better things when Sale host Leicester tonight. I fear this could be another round in the Premiership’s Greco-Roman series of matches but I live in hope. Tomorrow we find Saracens v Exeter as the game of the day and BT Sports choice. I’ll probably have some of that. Gloucester v London Irish could be a good game. Bath, now back at the foot of the table, host Newcastle Falcons. Bath will be desperate for a win.

Exeter’s Rob Baxter has written this week that the Premiership is better without relegation. He believes the games are more competitive and more free flowing. He argues the fear of relegation would have seen clubs sacrifice certain games they felt they couldn’t win and adopt ultra conservative game plans for fear of losing. I don’t disagree. I have always said ring-fencing was the way to protect the game as a whole.

The Guardian have suggested a number of iconic moments from rugby union in 2022. Interestingly they include Mathieu Raynal’s controversial decision to penalise Australia for time wasting. Quite rightly the Women’s World Cup is included.

Warren Gatland is getting his feet back under the desk with some pretty ruthless decisions. Out go Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins. There is talk of Rob Howley returning to the fold. I’m not sure about that. Wales attack was pretty turgid under Howley previously. Jonathan Humphrey’s and Neil Jenkins are set to stay. The big rumour is Paul Gustard will be drafted in. That could be inspirational, but it could be a ridiculous idea. Who knows.

Anyway, back to the fixtures. Sunday, New Years Day 2023, is where we find Saints v Quins. More importantly it is the next round of the Welsh derbies: Cardiff v Ospreys, Scarlets v Dragons. Like last week I think both games will be on TV. BBC 2 Wales and S4C.

In other sport the passing of the GREAT Pele dominates the front and back pages. The man was a wizard with a ball at his feet and in many ways changed the way the game was played. Over the coming days there will be many fitting tributes to Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but rest assured the one I will be looking out for his a rerun of the great Escape to Victory, also starring Michael Caine.

Liverpool v Leicester City tonight. Another loss I fear.

Plenty of other news but as I need to keep the blood pressure under control I will swerve detailed rants about Sturgeon the women hater, the RMT, and the continued hypocrisy of the Sussexes.

I might be back tomorrow, I might not. For the next few days it will be a lottery in terms of blogging.

Tuesday 27th Dec: 09:35

For those of you who still work I believe today is a bank holiday. Enjoy the day off before you have to return to the daily grind. That said I bet many of you don’t see it as a grind and will be happy to get back to work. Do spare a thought for those who have worked over the Christmas period, always the unsung heroes of this time of year.

I hope Father Christmas was kind and left you you something nice in your stockings, not that many people know about your fetish of course.

Since I last tickled the keyboard there have been a few games of note. My son-in-law tells me I missed an absolute cracker with London Irish beating Saracens on Friday night. Full of incidents, including two red cards, and plenty of action. Newcastle stunned Sale on the same evening. It is interesting that when talking about clubs at risk London Irish is all too often the first club that is mentioned.

On Saturday I did get to watch a game and watched a clinical Leicester beat Gloucester. I endured rather than enjoyed this game. At times it was a combination of kick tennis and Greco-Roman wrestling. The Exeter v Bath games sounds as if it was a much better offering.

Troubling to watch Louis Rees-Zammit limp off early on in the game at Welford Road.

Likewise it was worrying to see Josh Adams limp off during the Dragons v Cardiff game yesterday. Now this one was thoroughly enjoyable. Welsh regional rugby is not quite dead yet. The Dragons were imperious in the first half with Cardiff coming back to snatch the win in the last seconds of the game. As an advert for Welsh rugby this was right up there.

The second game, Ospreys v Scarlets, was slightly less entertaining but still a much better offering than Saturday’s Premiership game. The very early red card sucked the air out of the contest for a while but fair play to Scarlets they stuck to their task and made it a decent contest. All of a sudden the Ospreys’ sprinkling of stars are coming together as a cohesive unit.

Craig Evans refereed this one. There were two head on head clashes during a tackle. One resulted in red, the other in yellow. Young Mr Evans application of the guidelines and his subsequent explanation of each decision was perfect. No-one could be left in any doubt about the difference.

I understand Munster v Leinster was also a cracking contest with Leinster edging it.

Today we see Harlequins host Bristol in what should have been a packed Twickenham. Thanks to the RMT and ASLEF arseholes this game has been switched back to The Stoop. First up are the women followed by the men at 16:15. Both games are on BT Sport.

From January 1st a “shot clock” will be introduced to speed up the game. Kicks at goal will be policed properly and the engagement of scrums and lineouts will have to happen within a set time frame. We’ll see how that is going to be implemented. For me the scrum does take way too long but it is the constant resetting that irritates most.

Obviously with time on their hands some of the hacks have been giving Steve Borthwick advice on selection for the upcoming Six Nations. A number have suggested Owen Farrell at 10 ahead of Marcus Smith. Good advice me thinks. If you play Farrell it has to be at 10. Yes, I know I have laboured this point so yes I’ll move on.

That’s it for the rugby news. The Premier league returned yesterday. Don’t mention Leicester City. Losing 3-0 to Newcastle was not good. Not that the Geordie’s will give a damn as their team sits pretty in 2nd spot but Newcastle are only doing well on the back of the money from another misogynistic, homophobic brutal regime.

Plenty of tragedy in the news to spoil the festive spirit. The rail unions are being slammed for their continued politically motivated economic terrorism. Good. Morons.

The NHS walkouts are getting less coverage unfortunately. What is getting coverage is the useless woke non jobs that are still be advertised and some of the pathetic politically correct bullshit that wastes even more money.

On that cheery note, have a great day and back tomorrow, I hope.

Thursday 22nd Dec: 09:20

Let me start with “breaking news”. Our wonderful catering manager Jacqui and her long time partner Nigel finally tied the knot this week in a secret ceremony somewhere in Crowborough. I am sure you will all join me in wishing them many congratulations on this happy and joyous news.

For some and equally joyous was to see water finally flow through the taps yesterday. Not everybody is back on line but I believe the bulk of the ‘Borough now has water.

I have trawled through the rugby papers and picked up on a few articles.

Firstly England’s popular prop Shaunagh Brown has announced her retirement from the game. The ebullient and extremely likeable Brown will continue as a BBC Sport columnist but her plans beyond that are unclear. I am sure she will pop up somewhere and reinvent herself equally successfully.

What a disgrace. Someone at Benetton rugby thought it was acceptable to send Italy’s black prop Cherif Traore a rotten banana at the clubs secret Santa party. There is no place for this in society.

Will Steve Borthwick start by radically overhauling the 45 man elite squad he can select from. Why not as he appears to have the blessing of his paymasters.

Interesting piece on the BBC Sports website about Wasps and their future plans. At the moment they are up in the air as the new backers still have many hoops to jump through before a side gets anywhere near the Championship.

Several papers have picked up on the assessment of Premiership Rugby’s immense debt mountain, c.£300m, and are speculating who might be next to go to the wall. If you have the Torygraph I think they cover it best. The business model is unsustainable.

That’s about it for now.

It is the Friday Club AGM at Spoons tomorrow so no blog now until Tuesday 27th Dec.

Don’t let the strikes, Wee Jimmie Sturgeon’s dangerous trans policies, the disgraceful woke jobs in the NHS or the weather get you down.

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS with your family and friends.

A huge thank you for reading this drivel and don’t forget binge watching rugby is not just for Christmas.

Wednesday 21st Dec: 10:20

Where to start. Perhaps the inconvenience of a third day without water. It is in some respects painful but with a supply of bottled water and a water butt full for flushing the loos it is manageable. What is interesting is realising how much water you do actually use during the course of the day and perhaps if we all think about that going forward it might prove to be a valuable lesson. Resources are finite, use them sparingly.

For many the news about Finn Russell will seem like Christmas coming early. Some Bath fans are already talking about title chasing next season. Woah there dobbin. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Russell might not be the panacea you so crave. Yes he is mercurial and on his day he can light up any pitch. Equally he can be a liability causing games to be lost with a misplaced cavalier attitude. At £1m per season he doesn’t come cheap and that will impact on the quality of the rest of the squad due to the salary cap. Finally he is sure to be in Scotland’s World Cup squad followed by the 2024 Six Nations. That’s a lot of games to be missed.

I read with interest that Wayne Barnes is setting up a referees group to help combat online abuse. Any abuse of match officials is unacceptable and players face certain bans for overstepping the mark. I think it is fair to question referees’ decisions but it has to be done in the right way because they are not always right. Online abuse is cowardly as it is often anonymous which makes it even more unacceptable. Worse is where the keyboard warriors who think they are so clever go one step further and make threats to harm, and even harm family members. Social media can be a source of goodness but those who go the other way need to be dealt with. Sadly in this lily-livered world it ain’t going to happen quickly.

Talk about selling your soul to the devil. The British & Irish Lions are in talks with the Qatar regime about playing a match there in 2025. I’m opposed to all this woke crap but misogyny and homophobia has no place in this world. Why should rugby make the same mistake as football and pander to the odious emirs with their bags of cash. The answer is the game shouldn’t!!!!!!!

Eddie Jones says he could feel the wind changing ahead of his dismissal. Why didn’t he fall on his sword? Money of course. He has been defending his period in charge and though I have of late been an arch critic he does have much to be proud of. He’ll pop up somewhere and the betting is that will be at RWC 2023, probably with Australia.

Sad to read that Max Brito who was paralysed during the 1995 World Cup playing for Ivory Coast passed away at the age of 54. It is equally troubling that Scotland’s Hamish Watson has been stopped from returning to the game as a result of repeated issues following a series of concussions.

Domestic rugby at the elite level returns this weekend. London Irish v Saracens is my Friday night game. Glasgow v Edinburgh, basically a Scottish trial ahead of the Six Nations should be a cracker. On Christmas Eve both Exeter v Bath and Leicester v Gloucester should be worth watching. The latter is the BT Sport option. The return of the Welsh derbies on Boxing Day is good news. Dragons v Cardiff and Ospreys v Scarlets, the latter being on S4C at 17:15. Munster v Leinster kicks off at 19:15.

I think the Premier League also returns so for the sports lover there will be a veritable cornucopia of stuff to watch while you slob on your sofas.

In other news it is the striking ambulance staff that dominates. Should they be on strike? Not really, but you can only accept being undervalued for so long. The problem is the NHS needs a total overhaul. Too many people use the ambulance service because they can’t see a GP and worse some use it as a taxi service to hospital. The politicians are terrified of making the tough decisions where the NHS is concerned because they’re afraid of the political ramifications. Their position on the gravy train essentially. Major surgery is required and if that means some services are no longer available and others no longer free then so be it. It is also an absolute disgrace when you see the NHS advertising pathetic woke positions with salaries in excess of £100,000 when nurses and ambulance staff are undervalued.

In the league table of hypocrites Gary Neville is way up there along with the whingeing Sussexes. Joining them is Joe Lycett the comedian who recently ranted on about David Beckham and his role with the Qataris during the World Cup. Well, it turns out Mr Lycett has in the past pocketed a few bags of silver from the Qatari regime. Get your own house in order is what I say.

Tuesday 20th Dec: 09:20

The turnout at Dutch’s funeral yesterday was a testament to the man he was. I don’t exaggerate when I say hundreds turned out. It was standing room only, almost back to the car park. Friends, family, business associates and a very large contingent from Crowborough RFC. This in turn reflected the impact Dutch had on the club since becoming one of the first minis way back in the 70s. It was typical Dutch that his “exit” song was “another one bites the dust” by Queen. He’s gone now but never to be forgotten.

Up in Melrose another packed out service remembered a great of the game, Doddie Weir. The great and the good of rugby, not just in Scotland but from all over turned out to pay their respects. His legacy will be heightening awareness of MND and hopefully taking the scientists a step closer to finding a way to slow down the horrendous degenerative disease thanks to his tireless fundraising efforts.

Life goes on and for Steve Borthwick that means at the helm of England. What we have known for some days came to pass yesterday. In my mind the more important element of the announcement is Kevin Sinfield coming in as his number two. What Borthwick has done with a previously hapless Leicester in a short space of time needs to be replicated with England. Sir Clive Knowitall thinks he can do it.

The Fail carries a good piece on the drive Sinfield has and his amazing fundraising efforts for his good mate Rob Burrow who is also plagued by MND. It is suggested that will rub off on those he has around him making England a more steely outfit than they have been before.

Richard Wigglesworth takes over as interim head coach at the Tigers. He finally hangs up his boots after a stellar career. It’ll be fascinating to see how he gets on.

The EPCR are copping plenty of flak at the moment: Ulster having to move their game to Dublin, allowing Munster to play in a shirt that became indistinguishable from Saints on the TV, and for including the South African franchises. On top of that questions are being asked about the Challenge Cup with the French sides fielding 2nd XVs, as in fact did Newcastle in their defeat to Cardiff.

My good friend Damper, like me, says the South African sides are simply adding cost and complexity. I agree. He believes that the inclusion of teams from say Spain or Portugal would make more sense.

The CEO of Coventry RFC has taken a right royal pot shot at the RFU about the state of the Championship. Parachuting Wasps into the league is unacceptable in his opinion. I agree. He also goes on to say the funding cut to Championship sides has been detrimental to the game. This is where I disagree. Clubs from the top to the bottom have to exist on their own due diligence and good financial management. Surviving on handouts from the RFU or living the highlife as a result of the largesse of owners is a recipe for disaster, as Wasps and Worcester are finding out. BBC carries the story.

Arrogance knows no bounds when it comes to Bernard Laporte. Despite his conviction he is still refusing to stand down. Sorry, but isn’t that typically French.

The Premiership and URC returns this weekend. More on this tomorrow. It’ll be later than normal however.

What a World Cup Final. A game packed with drama and excitement. I thought it was brilliant and the best side won. I see the French are whinging about everything bar their own failings. Zut alors!

England cricketers complete an excellent 3-0 series win. Hoorah.

No such hoorah for that hypocritical champagne socialist Gary Neville. If the staff at his Manchester hotel were able to say what an amazing employer he is then he might just have a case. He doesn’t.

I remain firm in my view that NHS staff, nurses and the ambulance teams have a case and need to fight and fight dirty if they have to. Where the Neville (and the RMT) case collapses is the very people he pretends to talk on behalf of are the very people most affected. Get back in your box with your champagne and your millions, much of which has come from Qatar, and stick to football matters.

Monday 19th Dec: 09:25

David “Dutch” Holland is being laid to rest today. As a mark of respect to a wonderful character there is no blog today.

Have Dutch, but more importantly his family and friends in your thoughts during the course of the day.

Sunday 18th Dec: 10:15

I have to start over at Cross in Hand home of Heathfield & Waldron RFC. Like Steel Cross their pitch was snow covered and unplayable. That didn’t stop me and Mr Eddie B going over for a splendid Christmas lunch, in great company at an excellent club. I always prefix The Greenies or H&WRFC with “our good friends” and yesterday proved why. Excellent hospitality and great fun. Didn’t win anything in the raffle though. I know one or two of our good friends read this stuff so to them and all at H&W I say “THANK YOU”.

Unlike us their league position makes them safe from relegation. Two games did go ahead yesterday Thanet won at Deal 21-16 and Ashford won at Folkestone 22-21. Neither result helps us as we with Aylesford Bulls look adrift at the bottom of the table.

None of that will matter much as Champagne, Cheese & Carols gets underway at Steel Cross later today. I won’t be there but plenty of others will. Pay at the door. Details are on the website.

Some cracking European rugby yesterday. The Ospreys winning in Montpellier has to be the stand out result. They were deserved winners, albeit the French outfit got on the wrong side of the referee way too often.

Ulster’s second half comeback was something special. Shame it wasn’t in Belfast in front of a full house. Exeter’s win over the Bulls was impressive. Likewise Saracens holding Lyon at bay stands out.

In the secondary cup Toulon with Dan Biggar pulling the strings put Bath in their place. Impressive wins for Cardiff and Scarlets. Perhaps Welsh rugby has life in it yet.

Three cracking ties today with Saints v Munster, Toulouse v Sale and the pick of the round Quins v Racing 92 at 17:30.

The Steve Borthwick announcement is imminent. It’s not about “if” its about “when”. Chatting yesterday there are some who are not enthusiastic about his pending appointment. I’ll reserve judgement but the turn around at Leicester speaks for itself.

Plenty of coverage of Courtney Lawes return to action and the hoops he has had to jump through to get back. The Fail carries two articles about his brain scans and the demand for more regular use of brain scans following concussions. Well worth a read.

The RFU have well and truly torpedoed Worcester’s hopes of returning to elite rugby at Sixways. The potential new owners have stated the conditions being placed upon them are too onerous and therefore unacceptable. Plenty of papers carry the exact details. Wasps on the other hand have been given the green light to play in the Championship next season.

That’ll do for now except to say it is World Cup Final day. I go Argentina over France and yes I will be watching it. It will be the filling in my Champions Cup sandwich.

Is Mick Lynch and his mob going to be eating humble pie as support for his misguided class war starts to wane. People are waking up to the fact that those who are being most affected are the very people unions were meant to protect. It is the working class that is suffering not the fat cats. There are plenty of them in his union by the way. Many earning over £100,000 per annum.

Friday 16th Dec: 15:20

NEWS: This will come as no surprise.

Tomorrow’s game against Heathfield & Waldron is OFF

Thursday 15th Dec: 08:45

Let’s talk weather first. Right now there is zero chance of any games going on at Steel Cross. That said the 1st XV are away at Heathfield & Waldron. I understand a preliminary pitch inspection will take place tomorrow afternoon when the first sign of a thaw is expected. If their pitches are, as I suspect they will be, unplayable then the game will be pulled then. If there are signs of improvement then a second inspection will take place sometime Saturday morning. I will do my best to bring you news but that may not be possible.

Note: if the game is on remember parking is always difficult at H&WRFC. Please respect the club’s neighbours by not parking where you shouldn’t.

Elliot Daly and Jamie George sign new contracts to stay at Saracens. How the players in the Welsh regions look on enviously.

Dave Rennie and Rugby Australia are heading for a clash. Firstly, RA wants to tweak the selection criteria making it harder not easier for Rennie to select players who ply their trade overseas. Secondly, the spectre of Eddie Jones hangs over Rennie. Why stay on when you have someone so autocratic and opinionated being forced on you as a consultant. It ain’t going to work mate!

Several of the rugby websites are saying a breakthrough in the RFU talks with Leicester and Steve Borthwick is close and announcements could follow, even as early as today. I’m not convinced but what do I know.

Finally there might be clarity for the Welsh regions as the WRU say the salary contract freeze will be lifted in January. I’m not sure what all that means so bigger brains than mine might be required to explain it, and of course most of you don’t care about Welsh rugby.

Netflix are rumoured to be readying themselves to produce a documentary / come reality show about rugby centred around the Six Nations. Something akin to the F1 stuff. Being Netflix we’ll see Georgia winning the tournament with Harry and Meghan presenting the trophy. France will lose to Portugal in a relegation play-off while Wales play Lichtenstein in a division 4 contest. Mail Online carries the story so it has to be true.

World Rugby have come under immense pressure to cut all ties with the disgraced Barnard Laporte. Good.

I watched the Champions Cup highlights last night. Some cracking tries, and it seems some cracking matches. Yes Anthony Watson’s try was a thing of beauty but there were plenty more stunners on show. The crowds in South Africa were bigger than I had expected but still not where I think they should be. Yes, the franchises added something but in mind it still doesn’t outweigh the complexity and cost which is already a burden clubs are finding too hard to bear.

Some exciting European ties this weekend so if you don’t want to brave the roads, Christmas shopping fills you with dread, your plans have been scuppered by the RMT then BT Sport has plenty for you to enjoy.

Thoroughly enjoyed the football last night. Oh I so wanted Morocco to win. It wasn’t to be but they can certainly head home with their heads held high. I guess France v Argentina is the final many non English wanted to see. They have their wish.

The news has changed little since yesterday so that’ll do for now. Keeping checking the website for news on the status of our game v H&WRFC.

Wednesday 14th Dec: 09:55

Well, well, well. On this gloriously sunny winter’s morn it comes to pass that a Frenchman has been convicted of corruption. I’d never thought I’d read of such villainy from the French. The tragedy is it is the top man of French rugby, one Bernard Laporte who has been found guilty. A two year suspended sentence and a £64,500 fine for showering his mates with lucrative contracts and pocketing thousands as a result of lucrative speaking gigs on behalf of his mates. Sacre bleu, the man has the brass neck to continue to plead his innocence, is contesting the findings and is refusing to resign. Take him to the guillotine is what I say. An absolute disgrace.

The Guardian carries a decent summary of the case. The paper also includes a Robert Kitson piece highlighting the vast array of riches at the next England coaches disposal. The challenge is for said coach, lets call him Steve for the time being, is to pick players in form and play them in their right position. Ignore how big they are or what they have done in the past, select them on what they are doing right now. Zac Mercer must be a shoe in for the World Cup. Kitson even suggests as he is on his way back to the UK why not pick him for the Six Nations. As always a good read from Senor Kitson en el diario El Guardian.

The Premiership announce their revised fixture list from round 19 onwards. The changes reflect the absence of Wasps and Worcester meaning the big gaps each weekend have been eliminated. premiershiprugby.com is where you’ll find the full list.

A modicum of common sense has arrived in the dark and dingy corridors of the WRU. Rumours abound that talks have already started with regard to changing the straightjacket that is the 60 cap rule. It comes as no surprise as not only are top flight players heading off so are are hot prospects like Cardiff’s Max Llewellyn.

It seems like enough was enough for Andy Robinson as he resigns from his role as Head Coach of Romania. Reading between the lines it would seem the language barrier and pressure to have a Romanian in charge final got to him. It’s still a shock with the World Cup getting closer by the day.

A number of players, including Ulster’s Andy Warwick for his head clash with Manu Tuilagi, have been called to the Citing Officers office for a telling off. Good, the system works.

He’s only been gone a few days and Eddie Jones is already planning his return to Twickenham. He‘ll take charge of the Barbarians when they play a World XV in May. Won’t be much of a Barbarians side nor a World XV with unions keeping their stars under wraps ahead of the World Cup.

Looking ahead to the weekend we are due to play our good friends The Greenies. Never say “never” but as I type I can’t see how that is going to happen. The weather is due to change on Saturday but will that change be dramatic enough for a 14:00 kick off to go ahead. Regardless I am hoping to be enjoying lunch with good friends from Heathfield & Waldron on Saturday.

The European jamboree continues with what could be a stern test for Gloucester as they travel to Leinster on Friday night. Exeter v Bulls and Leicester v Clermont Auvergne jump out on Saturday but it is Toulon v Bath in the junior cup that catches the eye. Will Dan Biggar make his debut for the French side. On Sunday three cracking ties await; Quins v Racing, Northampton v Munster and Toulouse v Sale. Looking at the travel I am more than ever convinced having the South African sides in the tournament makes no sense. Financially it must be crippling and whichever way you travel it is 13 hours on a plane and that is draining.

Moving on, there are some nice photos of the Friday Club Christmas bash on the website. A splendid day it was too.

So who will Argentina face in the final of the FIFA World Cup. It is sure to be France, isn’t it? The Croatians looked tired against a well organised Argentinian outfit. There can’t be any cost of living crisis at home as it felt like we were in Buenes Aires and not Doha. I’ll be watching tonight. It is sport after all.

As we approach Christmas let us not forget war continues to rage in Ukraine with the tragic loss of life on both sides of the conflict.

You wouldn’t mind quite so much if that economic terrorist Mick Lynch and his mob arrived at the negotiating table with even a scintilla of a chance they would make concessions and move into the 20th century. It is totally unacceptable that he is holding the country to ransom and destroying the livelihoods of millions of hardworking Britains with his intransigence to move away from out dated working practices and embrace modern technology. Trying to get the Trotskyist to move into the 21st century is nigh on impossible so why don’t we ship him and his acolytes off to North Korea where he can embrace the dark ages with impunity.

Tuesday 13th Dec: 10:40

Sorry for the late posting of this drivel. I had a lie in reading my book. First time for a very long time. The weather (and the RMT assholes) continues to wreak havoc around the country hence the lie in. A treacherous trip to Bridgnorth for 24 hours was not going to happen.

So what is in the rugby pages?

Premiership Rugby is heading for a “reset” ahead of the 24/25 season. Top of the agenda is financial transparency through an independent body managing due diligence. Relegation from, and promotion to the top table will be clearly defined and the parameters set in stone. Having a clear rationale for the Championship to exist is another key aspect of the “reset”. Where Wasps and Worcester fit in to that I don’t know. The BBC carry the full story.

Talking of Wasps and Worcester whilst everyone is eager to see them rescued I have an issue with the fact they are not having to start back at the bottom. If they are saved from extinction and they are parachuted into the Championship then what incentive is there for others to keep their house in order. None, is my answer. The RFU are relaxing the deadlines for decisions on who has enough cash to buy the clubs and whether they are fit and proper people to do so.

Warren Gatland holds his first press conference today with many saying any hope of him saving the game in Wales has to come with major reform from top to bottom. He is also facing an exodus of top flight players so unless the 60 cap rule is scrapped his ambitions will be shot to pieces in an instant.

The England - Steve Borthwick saga is building. It is all about the money…. Again!! Plenty of praise for Borthwick from players who he has worked with.

It appears according to some fringe rugby website Owen Farrell is “the most hated player in the world”. For the record what a disgraceful reason to have a poll, what an appalling way to treat a top flight player. This is not sport reporting this is bullshit to drive readership. Criticism of Farrell is fair enough, heaven knows I’ve had a pop on more than one occasion but to come out and say things like this is a disgrace.

My good friend and regular reader tells me Sevenoaks v TJs went ahead on Saturday and he is right. According to englandrugby.com TJs won 5-17.

It is the time of year when the Christmas list is written. In the case of rugby no change from me. Sort out the mess that is the scrum. Get the ball in play more often. Cut the bench to three across the game. Put muzzles on the TMOs.

The FIFA World Cup semis start tonight. Go Croatia…. but Argentina will win.

As already stated the weather is high on the agenda of many in the news media. It is pretty awful out there so be careful. The strikes continue and as a consequence so I continue to call the RMT and ASLEF strikes shameful. An improved offer was rejected yesterday reinforcing this is not about pay this is about anarchists bringing the country to its knees. Putin loving clowns who want to keep Victorian working practices and be paid way ahead of the national average. Worse, their actions are keeping those who do crucial work in the NHS and those scratching out a living from their workplaces. All that while the union leaders earn well in excess of many of the people they claim to despise.

Oh, and for heavens sake why oh why are people still talking about Covid. It is not Ebola or the bubonic plague. It is no worse than the common cold. If the Government did one thing well during the height of Covid it was to turn everyone into cowering, paranoid wrecks.

Do spare a thought for the parents of those boys who tragically lost lives in the freezing waters of Solihull lake. They must be inconsolable right now.

Monday 12th Dec: 10:00

Winter has arrived with a vengeance. Several inches of snow, freezing temperatures and Crowborough, like many other places, has ground to a halt. Mrs Bleater and I were due to be heading off to Bridgnorth this morning. That is looking very unlikely right now.

Anyway, had a quick look at the pitches when I collected my car yesterday morning. Frozen solid and positively dangerous. Not surprisingly all mini & junior activity was called off.

There were some games played over the weekend so here is a quick run down.

You know about Thanet losing to our friends H&WRFC 18-0 so on into Sussex 2 where we find Eastbourne’s remarkable season continuing. They beat Seaford 47-19 and remain top on maximum points. A little way behind them in second is East Grinstead who beat Crawley 75-12. In Kent 2 Hastings & Bexhill lost at home to Old Dunstonians 25-26. In Regional 1 South Central Brighton lost at Havant 41-23.

All other games of note were postponed, including Sevenoaks v TJs.

The European Cup continues to give us some cracking rugby. Saracens 30 - Edinburgh 26 was top drawer. Sale put Ulster to the sword. By the way that was quite a smack to the face Manu Tuilagi had and why the Ulster player wasn’t shown a yellow I don’t know. Didn’t watch the Ospreys v Leicester game but understand Anthony Watson scored a “stunning” try to win it and George North suffered a nasty facial injury.

In the other cup Scarlets beat Bayonne convincingly. The French clubs generally don’t take the Challenge Cup seriously so I suspect both Cardiff’s win and Scarlets victory are not quite as impressive as they seem.

Another veritable cornucopia of fixtures next weekend but more on that closer to the time.

It comes as no surprise that Owen Farrell has said Eddie Jones sacking was “unbelievably disappointing”. Farrell was without doubt Jones “blue eyed boy” for long periods which is why he persevered with him in the side, even out of position. That said at fly half for Saracens yesterday Farrell showed some of his incisive brilliance. That cross-field kick and that try saving effort after he gave away the interception.

Very little other rugby news. In cricket England win the second test and clinch the series in Pakistan. The coverage of England crashing out of the World Cup continues. There is great encouragement for Gareth Southgate to STAY. Now that is novel for an England manager. The Johnny Wilkinson / Harry Kane kicking video has been unearthed and is doing the rounds. Google it if you haven’t yet seen it.

The rest of the news is dominated by the weather which without doubt has contributed to the horrendous explosion on Jersey and the lake tragedy in Solihull. My issues about getting to mum’s and ensuring this week’s appointments are kept pales into insignificance when loss of life elsewhere fills the papers.

That’ll do for now. One way or another I’ll be back tomorrow.

Sunday 11th Dec: 09:20

The inevitable came to pass yesterday with us having to postpone our home fixture with Cranbrook. The triangle of pitch in front of the clubhouse was frozen, way too hard to take any sort of chance. At 11:30 our alternative pitch was marginal at best but with the sun already moving off it the hard bits were only going to get harder as the day progressed. In fact when I did a pitch walk at what would have been half time the pitches were unplayable. The toughest of tough calls but the right one.

As disappointing as that was there was a significant upside. The Christmas lunch was now a leisurely and significantly more boozy affair. No mad rush to get three excellent courses, and they were excellent too, in before 2pm. I am sure those there and there were a lot of people there would agree with me what a splendid day it was. Jacqui, the food was brilliant. Louise and team, the service was brilliant. Thank you.

As Mrs Bleater and I arrived at the club she reminded me to take it easy as we had the grandchildren to look after in the evening. As were about to sit down to eat Mrs Bleater gets a message to say our son was feeling under the weather and they weren’t coming. “You can me pour me some wine, we’re walking home now” was her response. We didn’t have to as we blagged a lift after what was meant to be a sedate Christmas lunch turned into ……. Well you can work out the rest.

There was meant to be a moment of reflection and a minutes silence before kick off to mark the passing of David “Dutch” Holland. Instead our DoR Paul Gray, with Dutch’s family present, got up and gave a poignant and very apt eulogy to one the club’s erstwhile great characters. Well done Graysey.

Looking through the results last night very little grassroots rugby went ahead. I’ll pick the bones out of what did happen but I can tell you Heathfield & Waldron travelled to Thanet and did us a favour beating them 18-0.

In the European games I watched some of London Irish v Montpellier on Friday evening. I think the Creavy red card was extremely harsh but I intend to watch the highlights to be sure. What I saw was a cracking encounter. Good wins for Gloucester and Exeter, and a very impressive win for Leinster at Racing 92. Northampton were put to the sword by La Rochelle. I saw the first half of that and can say the French outfit were good. No wonder England had expressed an interest in hiring Ronan O’Gara. The South African outfits did well at home, the Sharks v Quins was a pretty good match up apparently.

Four cracking ties today and with the weather remaining cold an afternoon of viewing is likely to be the order of the day. Sale v Ulster, Saracens v Edinburgh (its on ITV), Munster v Toulouse, and Ospreys v Leicester.

Just a mention for two Welsh regions in the lesser cup. The Dragons earned a draw in a thrilling encounter against the Lions and Cardiff were imperious against Brive.

I thought the soap opera that is Eddie Jones would go away. Nope, it seems that Australia are keen to get him involved down under ahead of the World Cup.

So to other sports. England are looking good in the 2nd test in Pakistan. The headlines are of course all about England’s exit from the World Cup. It was about penalties again! Harry Kane firing his second spot kick over the bar condemned England to defeat. It wasn’t a classic game but compelling nonetheless. I said to Mrs Bleater if England go through they’ll win the tournament. If France go through they’ll lose to Argentina in the final. Only time will tell.

I will continue to watch until the final ball is kicked next Sunday. I remain firm in my commitment that it was a disgrace that Qatar was given the tournament and understand some of the organisation remains shambolic. On the pitch some of the games have been outstanding, some have been sleep inducing. The TV presentation has been ok but at times tedious: too long-winded, with lots of hypocritical pundits pontificating. The commentators trying too hard with their endless diatribe of stats. Still, much better than going anywhere near the bullshit that Netflix is portraying as fact.

Plenty of other news but that can wait. I do ask the question though: are the Sussexes along with Mick Lynch becoming the most hated people in Britain right now, not that those those hypocritical self-serving tossers the Sussexes are actually in Britain.

Must go, time to walk to the club and get the car. Brrrr. It’s FFFrrreeezing!

Thursday 8th Dec: 09:05

What a brilliant lunch yesterday. The highlight of the Friday Club social calendar. The Kings Arms Rotherfield put on a splendid lunch for 23 old farts who in turn did justice to copious amounts of wine. Thanks to the club for their generous contribution and well done Simon and Bob for their after lunch presentation. Thank heavens not a PowerPoint in sight!!!!!

Much talk about last week’s game and the disappointing results thus far but many will still be at Steel Cross on Saturday for both the club’s Christmas lunch and the game vs Cranbrook. The 2s are also at home. Both games kick off at 14:00

Not much sympathy, let me correct that, no sympathy for Eddie Jones from the old boys. With several attendees also supporters of Premiership clubs there was concern around how Jones intense trading regime often left players battered on their return to their clubs. More concerning was how mercurial talent, e.g. Marcus Smith was sent out on international duty effectively in a straight-jacket.

The press continue to cover his departure. James Haskell and Matt Giteau have both stated loudly that it was madness to sack him. I can’t agree but both lay out their case quite eloquently. The key point is he has a good track record in World Cups and that is less than a year away. Not enough in my opinion, especially with the money that has been thrown at England.

The Barbarians have wasted no time by suggesting he could be the coach when England face the BaaBaas next year.

It had been suggested he was off to the USA in 2023. That could now be brought forward. Stints in Georgia and Australia could also be options. I’m not bothered quite frankly.

Warren Gatland has been dealt an early blow with news that Gareth Anscombe is likely to miss the Six Nations thanks to a shoulder injury he suffered in the Australia test.

As expected the move to install Steve Borthwick as the new coach has been held up because of money. It is rumoured the RFU offer of compensation falls a long way short of Leicester Tigers expectations. It is also stated that they have issued a “hands off” warning with regard to poaching Kevin Sinfield.

Talking of money the EPCR has done a deal with Viaplay the Scandinavian streaming service to cover some of European Challenge Cup games. When will rugby wake up to the fact that if the game is to thrive hiding matches behind pay-to-view walls is not the answer. It is bad enough that with the odd exception most domestic rugby is now with a pay channel.

Dan Biggar has arrived in Toulon and already made a positive impression on the Côte d’Azur faithful. He is back in training and sure to start soon.

Don’t forget it is a huge weekend of European rugby. It appears despite the cost of living crisis (as alleged by the state media) ticket sales for many of the games are exceeding expectation. It will be interesting see what happens with the SA teams as I mentioned earlier in the week.

No World Cup football today but the hype around England v France builds.

The impending strikes takes up a lot of column inches and there is much sympathy for those in the NHS who are walking out. I am delighted to say that is not the case with regards to the RMT and ASLEF anarchists.

I’m already fed up to the back teeth with the whingeing Sussexes and the impending Netflix series of lies, bullshit and exaggeration.

That’ll do for now. Back on Sunday. The weather has turned much colder. You be careful out there.

Wednesday 7th Dec: 10:00

Taxi for Jones! This apparently was how he left Twickenham yesterday after defiantly saying to the RFU “we’re not parting ways mate, I’m being dismissed”. Yep, dismissed he was. Andy Bull in The Guardian has produced an interesting piece that suggests a few puffs of wind in another direction and kicks against the All Blacks and Argentina would have been successful and Eddie Jones would still be at the helm. He also points out that Jones has the best win ratio of any England coach. That may be so but after the huge investment in Jones, his ever revolving coaching team, the players and the support structure I would argue that that win ratio is nowhere good enough.

Jones departure is a non story in many respects because his actions and the underperforming England team have forensically been dissected over many months. In fact I would suggest Japan 2019 was the turning point. England beat the All Blacks with one of the most emphatic, exciting and brilliantly executed game plans I have seen. Sadly one week later they delivered an abject performance in losing the final to South Africa. In many respects they have gone backwards slowly but surely ever since.

It is Jones intransigence in terms of game plan and selection that have held England back and subsequently his ever changing coaching team and as Chichester Geoff stated the loss of confidence in him by the players.

The newspapers have all plenty to say on the matter and I would dare to say that relief is the overwhelming feeling. What has taken a few by surprise is the announcement that Richard Cockerill will take over in an interim capacity. I am surmising that the fanfare announcing Steve Borthwick’s arrival was delayed due to contractual difficulties between RFU and Leicester Tigers. This uncertainty is not ideal but I think the announcement is imminent.

The current coaching staff, as is the case in Wales, will be wondering if their Christmas is to be spent at the Job Centre, or will the new coach retain them with the Six Nations around the corner and the World Cup less than a year away. Who knows? I don’t.

In other news the appeals by Wasps and Worcester against automatic relegation have been, quite rightly, dismissed by the RFU. Reading quickly through the judgements the RFU have not pulled their punches. Where that leaves the bids that are on the table at each club I’m not sure. I know one of the caveats for the Worcester takeover was the retention of Premiership status. Plenty more on this drama to come.

As highlighted yesterday some cracking European action on its way. A number of clubs and players are voicing their concerns about South Africa’s involvement. I am in the “it makes no sense camp”. When the previous paragraph is about the financial shambles Wasps and Worcester got themselves into I simply cannot see how including South Africa in a European tournament makes any sense, especially financial sense. The European cups have been a great success with travelling fans significantly adding to the occasion. This is not going to happen where the South African sides are involved. I will reserve some degree of judgement until after the weekend.

Talking of which the 1st and 2nd XVs are at home on Saturday and I am reliably informed there are just a few places available for the Christmas lunch. You’ll need to move fast to secure a place. The club will remain open for the England v France football with special offers available between 5pm and kick off, or something like that.

Talking of football, how the nighty have fallen. Cristiano Renaldo left on the bench looking like the spoilt child he has become. 6-1 was very impressive without him. Perhaps like England and Eddie Jones, Ronaldo should part company with Portugal as he has with Manchester United.

Plenty of the usual depressing headlines in the paper. I can keep ranting about those selfish, overpaid, anarchists at the RMT but I won’t. Plenty of others going on strike but what ultimately will it achieve. Despite previous opinion there is NO money tree. If you want more then it has to be paid for by savings and efficiencies elsewhere. You can’t have it both ways.

With regard to the NHS I believe it is rapidly heading towards implosion. Unless a radical overhaul and extremely difficult decisions are made it won’t survive. Cut out waste, remove the fat cats, remove targets, cut out procedures that are elective and focus on emergency and prevention. At some point some current NHS procedures are going to have to incur charges. The NHS has to start to reduce demand rather than trying to meet it.

Tuesday 6th Dec: 10:30

A very lazy start to the day today. I was at a County XV Society dinner last night and very enjoyable it was too. A society of old farts who have put many years of service into our game within the county of Sussex. One Graeme Pratt became a member of this august body last night, after his many years of service to the game, especially to refereeing.

Anyway, what’s happening in the world of rugby? One thing that has happened is the return of Warren Gatland after Wayne Pivac “stood down” as Head Coach of Wales. The move was widely trailed and will meet with approval from many and a hint of dismay from others. He is Wales most successful coach and will bring back a solid structure and robust game plan to Wales play. On the other hand that game plan is pretty boring attritional stuff. He will be without Shaun Edwards and I think that makes his task significantly harder. Rumours abound that Rob Howley could be in the frame to return. I wouldn’t bet on it but nothing would surprise me!

During his press conference he was very respectful towards fellow countryman Pivac. A “classy gesture” was how WalesOnline described it. He wouldn’t be drawn on the question about the England job. “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers” was his reply. I say don’t believe ANYTHING you read in the papers. He did say he was relieved that the four regions and the WRU have “verbally” reached an agreement on finances for the seasons ahead. Hoorah for that.

The story that will dominate tomorrow’s pages will be the widely expected sacking, and not before time, of Eddie Jones. Well placed and well respected hacks are all saying it is pretty much a done deal and Steve Borthwick will replace him. Jones going is no loss and quite frankly his sacking is long overdue. Borthwick might not be the messiah everyone wants. He has turned the fortunes of Leicester Tigers around but this season has not be as successful. Why? In my opinion because they have become predictable. Those who follow England, and those like me who follow the grassroots game in England want a successful international side. South Africa have a brutal but simple game plan. Is it enough to please the fans. Based on my experience in the summer. Yes! Winning is what they want. However when you are paying upwards of £150 for a ticket you need some entertainment. Will Borthwick bring that to the England party? I’m not sure, and I’m not sure the Springboks game plan is sustainable going forward. Teams have cracked the code and know how to beat them.

The word on the street is Kevin Sinfield will join the coaching team if Borthwick’s appointment is confirmed later today. Now that is a good move. The RFU will have to dig deep to make this all happen, about £1m is thought to be the cost.

If he is sacked will Jones go gracefully. We’ll know soon enough.

A couple of player movements have caught the eye. Luke Cowan-Dickie is off to Montpellier next season. Joe Marchant is off to Stade Francais. It is not 100% clear about the timing and how that will affect their England careers. It is believed Cowan-Dickie joins the French outfit after the World Cup is finished.

Talking of South Africa, thankfully Sbu Nkosi has finally returned to the Bulls. Based on the press reports the kid obviously has issues and his club are putting in place support to find a way through the said issues.

Europe beckons. London Irish v Montpellier is a splendid way to start on Friday night. Racing 92 v Leinster looks a cracker on Saturday as does La Rochelle v Northampton Saints. Munster v Toulouse is my pick on Sunday. All the fixtures look tasty and I’ll comment on a few others tomorrow. The secondary tournament also kicks off on Friday with struggling Bristol travelling to Perpignan. I understand BT Sport have a veritable cornucopia of options in terms of game choice.

How will the teams facing South African opposition fare? What will the crowds be like? Will the distance and cost make fans travel untenable? We’ll find out soon enough.

What a win for England’s cricketers yesterday. A bold move to declare paid off with a stunning win.

The RMT are threatening to ruin Christmas. There’s a bit of press hyperbole there but the economic terrorists at the RMT have flatly refused to accept any sort of pay deal that is linked to the removal of Victorian working practices. In essence the already highly paid union members want the cake, the icing, the cherry on top and cream on the side with paying a single brass farthing towards the cost. Let them strike for as long as they like. When the RMT war chest is empty then we’ll see what happens.

As an aside this will force millions onto the roads thus increasing pollution. Perhaps we could get the eco-zealots to blockade the RMT union offices and stop Mick Lynch and his mob going about their business.

Monday 5th Dec: 08:20

As you already know not a great day for us on Saturday losing to Ashford, a game which in my opinion we should have won. Elsewhere Folkestone built on last week’s result by beating Aylesford Bulls 29-24. They move ahead of Thanet Wanderers who lost at Cranbrook. At the other end of the table Old Alleynians confirmed their promotion credentials with a 27-13 win over Bromley. Deal & Betteshanger lost to Beccehamians and our friends Heathfield & Waldron lost at home to Charlton Park. The Greenies are in 7th on 30 points so looking pretty safe from relegation, unlike us on just 6 points.

In Kent 2 unsurprisingly Sevenoaks II are top after beating Dover. Hastings & Bexhill won at Westcombe Park II and move into 9th spot as a result.

In Hampshire 2 Bognor racked up 104 points beating Eastleigh II. They are second behind New Milton.

In Surrey/Sussex 1 Hove had another good day beating Kingston 31-8. It wasn’t enough for them to go top as old Tiffinians also won.

In Sussex 2 Eastbourne’s perfect season continues with a comfortable win over Shoreham. 10 games and 50 points for them. Uckfield lost at home to East Grinstead, Seaford beat Burgess Hill, Crawley lost to Pulborough and very sadly Haywards Heath were awarded a HWO as Lewes again failed to get a side out.

Upwards now to the Regional set ups and 2 South East where we find Horsham sitting pretty at the top after a 57-0 win at Dartfordians. They are now 14 points clear of Farnham. Chichester lost at home to Old Reigatian. In Regional 1 Tunbridge Wells beat Hertford and are 4th in the league. In the other version Brighton lost at home to Wimbledon and stay in 8th spot.

In the rarified atmosphere of the national leagues not a great day for Sevenoaks losing at North Walsham. Better news where TJs and Worthing are concerned. The former beat Dorking, the latter won at bottom placed Westcliff. Worthing are the best placed of the three “local” clubs in 4th.

Rounding things off Leeds Tykes drew with Cambridge, Bridgnorth beat Broadstreet, Salisbury lost at Witney.

No Premiership yesterday but Exeter progressed in the Cup with a win over Gloucester. In the URC Scarlets lost to the Lions. Having the South African sides in the URC is madness. It is summer over there right now and based on the games I’ve watched the grounds are empty. Why bother?

As expected the Eddie Jones saga rumbles on. An announcement is expected soon. Some papers are suggesting Steve Borthwick is NOT the answer.

Also rumbling on is the lack of clarity around budgets for the four Welsh season. Several key players are now in talks with clubs outside Wales as a consequence.

There is much talk around a Women’s British & Irish Lions this morning. Progress is clearly being made and based on the success of the recent World Cup makes some sense. However the team would be dominated by English players and the only viable opposition would be New Zealand. Will it get the go ahead? Only time will tell.

Obviously England’s win over Senegal dominates the rest of the sports news. It was impressive but France await and they have been excellent so far. Saturday night at 19:00 is your appointment to view.

The rest of the news remains awfully gloomy. The news media know how to hype a story out of nothing and make it seem like the moon landings. The strikes continue. The RMT have turned down an 8% offer. Tossers.

Before I go I did make it to the club yesterday and watched some of the Under 17s v Horsham. The visitors were very good but from what I saw our boys were not overawed. The place was busy too. Happy days.

Sunday 4th Dec: 10:00

Over the years The Bard and I have travelled far and wide supporting the boys. We have often come away from games feeling frustrated and disappointed, especially this season when luck has deserted us and we have been the architects of our downfall. When we left Ashford yesterday we both experienced a new emotion, not just frustration but anger. Anger because we could have, in fact should have won that game. We were in it at half time and looking the better side. In the second half our game fell apart and in a couple of cases so did our attitude. Our discipline went west conceding way too many penalties. Our ball handling and ball retention was unacceptable. Our decision making was questionable at best and nonsensical at worst. Two yellow cards didn’t help. That said they received one when the referee, who was excellent by the way, had lost patience with their persistent infringing.

I am not saying the game was handed to Ashford on a plate, they had to work for it. However when penalties are conceded in kickable locations you don’t have to work too hard.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Firstly the coaches had selection dilemmas pre-match with several first choice players returning. Defensively throughout we were very good. We tackled on or behind the gain line keeping Ashford to just one try. When we did click it looked good but all too often Ashford were able to hold us at bay. They ran out worthy winners in the end.

The Bard’s report will be on the website already so you can read his blow by blow account. Our league position looks dire and we now need a miracle if we are to rescue our season. It is not beyond us if we take the good things of yesterday and eradicate the horrors. Cranbrook next Saturday at Steel Cross. Kick off 14:00. Yes The Bard and I will be there. “Tin hats everybody!”

As always I’ll do a full league round-up tomorrow.

On Friday I enjoyed the Bath v Harlequins game. Bath could have won that one but for their inability to get the pointy end of the ball anywhere near the grass over the goal line.

Was home in time for Gloucester v Northampton yesterday. Glad I was as this was a cracking contest. That first half was one of wonderful sweeping attacks and abject defence. A great advert for our game.

Next up was Bristol v Leicester. This too was thoroughly enjoyable. By now my mate Mal Bec had joined me on the sofa which aided the positivity. Bristol looking down and out clawed their way back into the game to snatch the draw at the end. Not such a flowing game but absorbing nonetheless. With London Irish beating Newcastle it wasn’t enough however to prevent Bristol slipping to the foot of the table. A table that makes great reading if you are a fez head.

It was brilliant to see the sides pay tribute to Doddie Weir, and especially at Kingsholm where Ed Slater has been diagnosed with same horrendous condition.

Being a top flight rugby player can be challenging, especially when things go wrong. The Levi Davies situation is awful with everyone now fearing the worse. In South Africa Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi has gone awol from his club. Unable to travel to Europe with the Boks due to a rib injury the Bulls have become increasingly concerned as they have had no contact with him nor has his family and friends for some weeks now. Not great news.

The Welsh regions have faired badly in South Africa this weekend with another valiant effort by the Dragons falling short, Cardiff unable to match their wonderful showing of last weekend and the injury and sickness ravaged Ospreys eventually succumbing to the Sharks pressure. The Scarlets play Lions today, kick off 11:30 S4C - 134 on your Sky box.

In other sport Pakistan v England continues. Plenty about last night’s boxing in the papers, yawn! Football and the World Cup dominates. England v Senegal tonight. Yes, I’ll be supporting ……… England.

Can someone please tell me why some of the papers are giving air time to that lying, useless, devious, self-serving pillock Matt Hancock. He’s telling his side of the Covid story apparently. Ghost written by Enid Blyton no doubt.

Talking of lying, devious, self-serving publicists, when are the Sussexes going to shut up and stop their “woe-is-us” pontificating.

Under 17s kick off at 12:30. I might see you there.

Thursday 1st Dec: 10:15

A quick look at what lies ahead is the order of the day. You know we are at Ashford but alongside that there are some fascinating ties in our league. Folkestone v Aylesford for a start. Old Alleynians v Bromley jumps out as does Heathfield & Waldron v Charlton Park. A win for The Greenies would make them pretty safe, even this early in the season.

In the Premiership Bath v Harlequins is tomorrow’s offering and it is on BT Sport. On Saturday my pick is Gloucester v Northampton. In the URC all the Welsh regions are still in South Africa and at least one of the games will be on S4C, not that most of you are bothered. The pick of the week is Leinster v Ulster.

The soap opera that is Eddie Jones rumbles on. I thank my good friend The Bard for sending me the recent article in The Times that most eloquently highlights the many reasons he should go. Beware of what you wish for however as plenty of papers suggest Warren Gatland could be dropped in to get England to and through the World Cup. Yes there could be an upturn in results but the game plan would be “oh so boring”. It is also suggested that Steve Borthwick could work alongside him before taking over after the World Cup is done and dusted.

I’d like to call it a soap opera but the Wales situation is far worse than that. A complete and utter shambles springs to mind. The list of players out of contract at the end of the season grows ever longer. Wales could go into the World Cup with a team of those close to retirement, they would have 60 caps, and a plethora of unknowns who just happen to be free in September and October.

What makes matters worse is Wales footballing successes. I know the boys underperformed when it mattered but the love of the round ball game has never been better in Wales. Apparently the atmosphere at games is far superior to watching the rugby and bizarrely the behaviour of fans is also much better.

South Africa prop Michael du Toit gets a three week ban for his totally avoidable red card last weekend against England. It was an outrageous act of thuggery. Perhaps the game needs to review its tariffs. Three weeks seems a little lenient.

Despite the numerous voices in rugby saying there are too many games European Rugb