Almost right. What I didn’t see yesterday was Fin Smith replacing Marcus Smith on the bench for the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland. You have to ask, is M Smith’s star on the wane, and will his ‘maverick’ style of play always be a contrast to Steve Bortwick’s more conservative approach. I don’t know. Yes, Maro Itoje returns to his starting berth. Yes, Alex Coles drops to the bench. Yes, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George swap places.

Borthwick has been full of praise for Gregor Townsend insisting the Scottish fans should get behind him and not berate him. I, however, don’t think that will happen if Scotland fall to a crushing defeat against ye olde enemy on Saturday, which I suspect is likely to happen. The Murrayfield crowd will play a part, as I suspect so will the weather, but it is difficult to see beyond an English win. I expect Scotland will make a much better fist of it than the Welsh did, but that is not difficult, however pound for pound England are much the better side.

We’ll know soon enough, and despite Bortwick’s endorsement of Townsend others are not so sure. The Guardian headline reads: ‘test rugby coaches have a shelf life and Townsend must know he’s near the end’.

Hollie Davidson takes charge of her first Six Nations match when she runs out with the whistle on Saturday over in Dublin. Ireland v Italy will be a good challenge for her. I think it is appalling that even now, having proven herself over and over in the men’s game, there are still luddites out there who don’t think she should be in charge. I for one think she absolutely deserves to be there. Every game I have watched her officiate she has been excellent. Good on her. No matter the sex, colour, race or religion you need the very best person for the job in whatever job that is. All too often society becomes obsessed with woke and we find incompetence in jobs where placement has been made on a box ticking exercise. Ms Davidson is there on merit, so you morons who say otherwise need to get back in your box.

Interesting piece in WalesOnline about Antoine Dupont and Anthony Jelonch. The well known French sports newspaper L’Equipe has published an article alleging that both players have been receiving sponsorship money as a way of circumventing the Top14’s salary cap. The paper states the marketing and merchandising deals are spurious and solely a way to keep both players at Toulouse. The money paid to Dupont is significant to say the least. As I say WalesOnline for the full story.

From the same site plenty in Wales are saying Ellis Genge got off lightly after his act of ‘thuggery’ against Alex Mann. The former Irish referee Owen Doyle says he should have seen red. I think Msr Brousset deeming his head butt a push got it wrong, but of course I would say that wouldn’t I. There were other strange decisions from the Frenchman but hey, whatever the referee says, he is always right. I think, rather than looking at that incident in isolation, I would suggest Genge, who has been on fire of late, was the one England player not at his best on Saturday against Wales.

The grassroots is back this coming weekend. The 1st XV travel to Ashford, another pace where we have struggled in the past. Ashford are having a good season and will pose a real threat to our ambition of picking up points. The 2s are at home to Shoreham. That kicks off at 14:00 leading nicely into the Calcutta Cup at 16:40. I won’t be at either as Mrs Bleater and I are on grandparent duty. I’ll pick up on some of the other local games tomorrow.

The manoeuvrings behind Sir U-Turns back continue. Wes Streeting is this weeks pantomime villain. Sir U-Turn is now the puppet of the left. He has sold his soul to stay as PM and the country will lurch to the left as people like Rayner and Milliband and the Unions pull the strings.

Awful news coming out of Canada with ten dead in mass school shooting. We are no better as two youngsters were stabbed in a London school yesterday.

Before I go I bring you reasons why our pitches are currently unplayable. First up the dreaded Wealden clay. Always an issue. Then add the 2,500 tons of water per pitch that has fallen in Jan alone, which equates to an Olympic size swimming pool, you can understand the challenge. We are not alone. Eastbourne RFC have gone onto Facebook pleading for help as their pitches are in the same state as ours. Enjoy this morning’s period of dry weather.

Tuesday 10th Feb: 10:10

Another short missive today. Another gloomy start weather wise. Plenty in the papers about the dire state of Welsh rugby. Plenty of positivity around England but with the caveat French stand in the way of glory come the end of March.

After Ireland’s poor showing there are a number of the pundits having a go about selection. Is it time to ditch loyalty and look toward 2027 and the RWC. The BBC ask: ‘will wounded Ireland shuffle pack for Italy game?’. It goes on to say Andy Farrell has been a loyal selector but is change now needed. The Torygraph headline a similar piece saying: ‘Ireland and Scotland have gorged on project players - now its coming home to roost’. Of course everyone is asking what does Steve Tandy do. In essence there is no easy answer. When compared to England and France the other nations will always struggle to compete. Let us set aside Italy who are massively over-performing for the time being. The big two have playing riches in abundance and the unions are two of the richest in the game. You know there is a gulf when England for example can start with a bench loaded with British & Irish Lions. Then you have the league structure. The Premiership and Top14 are probably the best in the world, packed with some of the best players in the world. It is no wonder Robert Kitson writes in The Guardian that ‘Six Nations on road to perdition unless chastening Celtic wake-up cal is heeded’.

The URC is a busted flush, as are the European tournaments. The addition of the South African sides has added nothing but cost and complexity and not improved the quality of the game one iota. Something has to be done. Get rid of the South African franchises. Make room for more cross-border games with the English and French sides, even if this is the equivalent of the Premiership Cup. Give the youngsters who currently languish in academies doing not a lot, or farmed out to substandard sides, certainly that is the case in Wales, more quality game time. Improve the player pathway from the schools upwards. Just a thought.

What to do about Welsh rugby. Sacking the board and the coach is not the answer. Going down to three regions makes sense. Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, the three big cities. Get rid of the regional academies and put the best players under the wing of the WRU. These players will then be allocated out to the next level down a) to give them more game time, b) to improve the quality of the league below. The player pathway has to be resolved, and that includes finding a way to re-energise the now largely defunct schools playing network. If the schools can’t do it find clubs that can bring the youngsters through the ranks. All this is of course easier said than done when change is nigh on impossible thanks to the dinosaurs who want to keep feathering their own nests, bit of a mixed metaphor there, sorry, and money. Money is the issue. Unlike France and England there is not the money to go round which is why something has to give. One region and the money wasted on the dinosaurs riding the gravy train for example. Whilst Scotland are under pressure at the moment they are still punching above their weight. Likewise Italy have been a revelation. Why? The focus on just two regions each and packing one of the sides with their best talent. Glasgow and Benetton are effectively the Scottish and Italian national side. To a lesser degree Ireland do the same with Leinster. Wales spreading their limited talent pool across four regions is not working. There you go, for the odd Welsh subscriber to this drivel, this may be of interest.

Looking ahead England are likely to keep the same backline when they travel to Scotland. I would anticipate Maro Itoje starts with Alex Cole on the bench. There is the chance that Luke Cowan-Dickie starts with Jamie George adding to the waiting buffalo on the bench. Oh, and adding to my points above, it does seem that the Celtic nations can’t match England and France with regard to physical size. Wales in particular look like Lilliputians by comparison to England’s leviathans.

I see Sir U-Turn has been given a stay of execution. The machiavellian shenanigans in the background are truly something else. We voted for change, and even here we got more of the same, in fact it is worse.

I’m giving the other big news story a swerve.

There are still plenty of news items about our incredibly bloated benefits system and how easy it is to get on that gravy train. Some asylum seekers are now being given £1000s in benefit handouts for example. The legal system is broken with criminals who should be banged up for a long time walking free thanks to the pathetic lily-livered judiciary. Freedom of speech is becoming a thing of the past. Cancelled elections, speakers being barred from meetings, and the press twisting reports to fit their own bias agendas. Ok, Ok, I know that is a bit rich when I spout my often extreme view.

Monday 9th Feb: 10:10

Good morning. I hope you are feeling better than I do. Yes, still grumpy because I can’t shift this cold, but then again grumpiness is a year round issue with Bleater.

Just the one result to bring you and that is Eastbourne beating Trinity 42-5. Good result keeping Eastbourne in 6th in Surrey/Sussex 1, especially after a poor run of form.

The Premiership Cup continued over the weekend with wins for Leicester, Exeter, Harlequins and a thumping win for Bath over Sale. Plenty of games still to go before the knockout phase, I think!!

So to the Six Nations aftermath. I think it is fair to say there is a degree of consistency with regard to what happened. France have made a clear statement of intent. Some of their play in wet conditions was sublime. Around the Friday Club breakfast table the opinion was clear, on a dry Thursday evening Ireland could have been blown away completely. Ireland need to get their mojo back, and quickly, especially as Italy were pretty impressive against Scotland, a Scotland touted to do well in many quarters. Plenty of chat about Gregor Townsend’s position. During the autumn there were murmurings of discontent. They got louder on Saturday after what was a pretty ordinary showing. His saving grace might be beating England next weekend. The pundits are clear that despite Wales pathetic showing, particularly in the first half, England came out of the blocks ready for anything, and a better Wales would have suffered a similar fate as England would have upped their game accordingly. Can Wales get anything out of this tournament is the big question. It seems the pundits think so. Fix the defence, and cut out the silly, unnecessary penalties. Easier said than done. Wales have talent but knowing how to harness it from an individual point of view, and making the sum of the parts greater than the total, is the challenge.

From a Welsh standpoint, no matter how vigorously the players say it isn’t, the shambles that is the game in Wales must be playing on their minds. Livelihoods are at stake. Brian Moore makes an excellent point in The Torygraph, it is mindless to continue saying what you don’t what, people need to say what they do want. I often fall into the same trap so perhaps tomorrow I’ll crystallise my thinking.

Part of my analysis will also take into consideration the role of the URC and the countries player pathways.

The in-game adverts have come in for some criticism. The issue for me is that it is a slippery slope from which we won’t ever climb back up from. Now we have an advert in each half, how long will it before there are six or seven? Currently however they have been positioned to coincide with a break in play and therefore have not been obtrusive.

That’ll do for now as I need to catch up on the debacle that is this Government, and all the other depressing news that comes from the media.

Well done the Seattle Seahawks. The Super Bowl for them.

Sunday 8th Feb: 10:05

Those who follow England will be ordering their Grand Slam winners t-shirts already. Wales fans will be bemoaning the fact B&M sold out of wooden spoons weeks ago. Yesterday’s game at Twickenham was a horror show for Wales, and little more than a training run for England. That first half was possibly the worst in Welsh rugby history. It was dire. They couldn’t pass, couldn’t catch, and worst of all their discipline was atrocious. Stupid penalty after stupid penalty gave England an easy ride. You have to take those chances, which England did with aplomb. Wales were lucky to be only 29-0 down at half-time. The second half was better from a Welsh viewpoint, and England were made to work in defence, which was very good indeed. Wales error count was still way too high, and not tapping the ball at a penalty was a mistake not even the U12s make. Perhaps with my WRU eyepatch on I thought Ben Thomas’s yellow card was harsh. He seemed to have ripped the ball before going to ground. I also ask, what was Tayne Plumtree supposed to do. Stop and think: ‘oh my, it is England’s poster boy, Pillock, I can’t tackle him, I must simply roll out the red carpet and let him score’. Wales were bereft of ideas and must now regroup and think long and hard about how to prevent another embarrassing debacle when France arrive in Cardiff next Sunday.

Let’s talk England. With their abundance of talent at their disposal they were always going to win. I think however, they cannot get carried away. I’m still not convinced Tommy Freeman is the right person to play in the centre. Freddie Steward at fullback is not as imperious as he has been previously. The one thing that is making it all work is George Ford. He had another excellent game yesterday, as did Ben Earl. If I was in Steve Borthwick’s position I wouldn’t be wasting any time analysing yesterday’s game I would be concentrating solely on next Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland. A very badly wounded Scotland.

Italy held out at a water soaked Stadio Olympico. The Italians played some really good rugby scoring two cracking tries early on. They defended with their lives when the Scots had the ball and held out for a well-deserved win. Scotland were poor. One dimensional, lacking a cutting edge. No matter how hard they huffed and puffed it wasn’t good enough. Blair Kinghorn sat in the stands getting drenched. Surely he has to start next week. Italy will pose a threat in Ireland next weekend but I struggle to see anything other than an Irish win, despite Ireland being fairly insipid against a very good French side.

Despite the wet conditions France looked to be back to their imperious best on Thursday evening. They played some scintillating rugby at times, defying the persistent rain. Their backs and forwards linked well and they have gas to burn out wide. Ireland by contrast looked listless, unsure, and lacking in fight, especially in that first half. They did make a fist of it in the second half, but were still way short of their very best. You have to say that if France continue in the same vein throughout the tournament then they will be favourites to lift the trophy towards the end of March.

Being somewhat under the weather I didn’t get to the club on Friday evening. I understand the club is working hard to resolve the problem of pitches etc. Instead, feeling very sorry for myself with a hot toddy, I watched England U20s v Wales U20s. Wales were outstanding in the first half. Playing an exciting brand of rugby tearing England apart. The second half was a total transformation. Wales didn’t play badly, England simply came out for the second half a totally revitalised side. They turned around a 0-16 deficit winning at the death 19-16.

The last game of the weekend was France v Ireland U20s. Boy oh boy the French were excellent. I did ponder what’s the difference. The answer was clear. Most of the French youngsters feature regularly in the Top 14 or the ProD2. Whereas the young men playing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland are not exposed to that level of competition week in week out. In fact some of the Welsh boys were still at school !!

That’ll do for now. No rugby today so it’s either football or the Olympics. Those young men and women sliding on ice on a tea tray at 90kph are bonkers, as are those kids leaping off ski ramps and doing somersault after somersault in the air.

Plenty to get the blood boiling in the news, and plenty of ‘et tu Brute’ moments in the world of politics.

Thursday 5th Feb: 10:05

Not long now. Yes, the summer will be here soon, I hope, especially as this persistent rain is so depressing. It was good to get out yesterday and feel the sun on my face and not have to worry about how wet I was going to get.

I for one, am excited the Six Nations is back, and what a way to start, France v Ireland from the Stade de France. It is somewhat selfish, especially as it will incur the wrath of my Irish friends, but I hope for a French win. I cannot see anything other than England strolling through the first four games and reaching the final game of the round unbeaten. France win tonight and they should be in the same position. We then have a proper final day shoot out. Yes I’m getting ahead of myself as England have to get past Wales first. Yes, of course I’m joking. A Wales win would be akin to Foinavon winning the Grand National or Leicester City winning the Premier League. Right now a fantasy of epic proportions.

Wales announce their side shortly. On paper it will look a decent side, but when you set it against the England squad it will look weak. It will be physically smaller, lacking in experience and way behind on the talent front. I suggest of the 23 about to be announced I can only see three Welsh players getting anywhere near selection for England. Dewi Lake, Tomos Williams and Louis Rees-Zammitt. Saturday will be tortuous watching, but watching I will be, proudly wearing the red of Wales. I will constantly be reminding my self that Wales is a country with a population half the size of London, and when you consider a single county like Yorkshire has c.125 rugby clubs, where as the whole of Wales has just c.320 it puts the challenge into perspective.

If there was a single straw to cling to it would strangely be the soap opera that is Welsh Rugby running in the background. Yesterday’s revelations that the Ospreys will soon be assigned to the bin has caused a tsunami of protests. Players livelihoods are at stake. Is there a better shop window to show off your talents than the Six Nations. Can the players in red channel their significant frustration, and often real anger, positively into the contest against Wales. The English arrogance with many talking about playing France and that being a stepping stone to World Cup glory will also be a motivating factor. Ok, Ok, England will win easily. It will be embarrassing.

ITV are covering most of the games and have spent a substantial amount to secure the TV rights. In order to recoup some of their investment ITV will an air advert during each half as a split screen. It is planned that it will be aired before one of the (many) scrums is set. The live feed will still be shown in one half, and the advert in the other. I see this as a very slippery slope, one which I hope the broadcasters of rugby don’t slide down. If they do, rest assured, it will become the norm for all sports.

Are any of the coaches under pressure? Of course they are. The Six Nations is a big thing. Borthwick is safe, on the basis of current form. Questions will be asked if England don’t lift the trophy. Tandy is safe, he has been dealt a terrible hand so to remove him would be madness. Quesada over in Italy is safe. He is doing a fine job. Galthie is in the cross-hairs. Anything less than a final day showdown with England and his days could be numbered. Townsend is in the firing-line too. An underwhelming Autumn series, and the news he is off to Newcastle after the 2027 World Cup, could make it easier to get rid of him if Scotland fail to impress. A loss in Cardiff to Wales for example could see the exit door open wide. Farrell has plenty of credit in the bank so I’m sure he is safe. Or is he? The autumn wasn’t great for Ireland, and mid table mediocrity could see wolves at the door. It all starts tonight!!

A couple of news things. I read with great annoyance how those activists who broke into a munitions factory causing damage, and one of them breaking a police officers spine with a sledge hammer walked free from court. The evidence was overwhelming yet free they are. If there was ever an advert to abolish jury trials this is it. It is a disgrace that the jury came to this decision.

Secondly are Sir U-Turns days numbered. I think the current scandal, which is not for me to cover, is a scandal too far. However, I urge caution. Whilst he has earned a triple gold in ineptitude you have to look at what the alternatives are. Angela Rayner is manoeuvring like a cobra sneaking up on its prey. A kill and she becomes the queen of the forest. If that were to manifest itself then we the nation, and us its citizens, are well and truly screwed. Be careful what you wish for.

Wednesday 4th Feb: 09:55

Another late start this morning but being a grouchy old pensioner, I can. At least this morning it is not raining and we can escape the confines of the house.

If you move beyond this drivel and look at the website and match reports, you’ll often find an accompanying album of excellent match day photos. These are provided by Denys Clarke. Unfortunately, I understand Denys’s wife Joy is unwell at the moment. All at CRFC wish her a full and speedy recovery, and send our best wishes to Denys at this challenging time.

The French have announced their team for tomorrow evening. Whilst many of the names are unfamiliar it looks a very strong squad, especially across the backline. Any team with a fit, and raring to go Antoine Dupont in it is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Mattieu Jalibert is at ten, and he too is in fine form. Where France have an issue is at prop, but this is a worry across all of the nations I think. Come Friday morning I fancy some of the French players who you might not recognise now, will be in your consciousness by then.

Looking through The Guardian’s form guide it is clear that England are starting as out and out favourites, albeit it is very presumptuous of many fans to be fretting over the final game even before the tournament has started. I am struggling to find any reason why Ireland will spring a surprise and come home from Paris victors. Their form in the autumn was less than impressive, and they are hampered by injuries to key players. France at home are always a force to be reckoned with and I simply cannot see anything other than a home win.

Wales announce their side to face England tomorrow. I’ll bring you my thoughts at some point during the day.

A number of papers pick up on the role Henry Pollock will play, not just as an amazing impact player but as a ‘wind up merchant’. Whilst having charismatic players who are not scared of getting under others skin is good, they have to perform on the day too. Wales have Alex Mann, similar in style to Pollock, and also one who knows how to press the right buttons to wind up the opposition. Go no further than Eben Etzebeth’s reaction in the Springboks game against Wales. The game and the players can be somewhat sterile so players with character, who don’t always toe the party line, is a good thing.

Don’t forget the curry night at the club tomorrow. I won’t be there, but maybe that is a good reason for you to make it. My written drivel is bad enough, my verbal garbage is often worse.

Can I also remind you about the meeting at the club on Friday. I hope to be there for that.

The round ball game, goes on unabated. Leicester City are at Birmingham on Saturday if you are interested, which of course you are not. The Super Bowl is Sunday night into Monday morning. I might, but probably not, stay up for some of that. The Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots. Should be a good one.

The papers are still full of stuff I’m not going anywhere near.

The dramatic rise in benefits claimants is still a hot topic. The system is broken and needs fixing. Not only that, cheats are being let off with paltry fines and no incentive to pay back their ill-gotten gains.

Likewise the lily-livered legal system strikes again. An illegal immigrant who committed an horrendous crime was spared jail because he was too old to be sent to prison. Call me a fascist b’s…. but he should have been sent to prison to rot, not released.

Then you’ve got the Government opposition, who happen to be the Labour backbenches, objecting to the proposed nuclear energy program.

The politics of envy and dogma could see successful school academies closed because, as far as I can tell, this Government doesn’t like success and progress.

If, like me, you were glued to the snooker in the 70s and 80s, one player stood out, John Virgo. He went on to became the voice of snooker on the BBC. Sadly he has just passed away at the age of 79.