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.