Here be rugby
2020 was a fabulous year. If you’re a highly contagious virus. For the rest of us, it meant lockdowns, Brexit, and – most importantly – severe disruption to the rugby schedule. The Six Nations finished on Hallowe’en, and we had an odd Autumn Nations Cup, in which one nation never played. Leagues were all over … Continue reading 2020 Hindsight
Links to chapters One, Two, Three and Four Paulan clapped his slightly terrifying paws together and ordered a feast for all, which only increased his popularity. But he drew Peter aside, and took him to a hill that overlooked a very pretty castle that, he told Peter, contained four thrones that he and his companions … Continue reading The Lions, the Witch and the Locker: Chapter Five
Behold! I bring you tidings of great joy, for this writer hath just finished bloody work for the year, after a massively stressful month. If she had her way, certain developers and project ‘managers’ would be strung up by the bollocks (in festively fetching tinsel, of course) and hung from the top of the big … Continue reading European Cups
The briefest of all possible previews. Georgia v Fiji Fiji are a very good side, but have not played a test match due to their Covid problems. Georgia were much improved last week. Georgia by 5. Ireland v Scotland Both sides looking rather pedestrian at the moment. With the inexplicable void where Hamish McFuckface should … Continue reading Preview: Autumn Nations Cup, Round Four
Saturday 28th November 2020 Argentina vs New Zealand Newcastle, NSW Kick off 08:45 New Zealand shake up the pack, bringing in prop Nepo Laulala, lock Scott Barrett, and backrow Akira Ioane. Argentina make 10 changes with only Nicolas Sanchez, captain Pablo Matera, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer and hooker Julian Montoya keeping their places. Question: can … Continue reading Preview: Autumn Nations Cup, Round Three (and more)
Your week-end programme, unfortunately mostly brought to you by internet providers and subscription television. Italy/ Fiji : Saturday 1pm. Cancelled England/Ireland: Saturday at 3pm Wales / Georgia: Saturday at 5.15 pm Scotland/France: Sunday at 4pm But before that, right after breakfast, you’ll watch the most important game of the week-end, and it has nothing to … Continue reading Preview: Autumn Nations Cup, Round Two
The Nations Cup. My goodness, savour that. The Nations Cup. Mmm. The very name is redolent of a crackling log fire on an autumn afternoon. But wait, there’s more! Amazon Prime. That tingling feeling? That’s the realisation that a major re-structuring of European rugby broadcasting is upon us. Who says 2020’s been a miserable year? … Continue reading Preview: Nations Cup, Round One
Saner parts of the world, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa (and I never thought I’d write that) are managing to go ahead with their matches, but in the Pro-14, non-cancelled matches scheduled for today are rarer than gracious election concessions by Donald Trump. There are a couple of not-cancelled Top 14 matches … Continue reading Covid: ALL YOUR FIXTURES ARE BELONG TO US
Part I | Part II Having left Matadi and a newly enriched Customs Officer, we drove back on the Kinshasa road to Lufu, or any of the other names that towns in this part of Africa get called, depending on your language and which side of the border you nominally originate from. Lufu gets its … Continue reading Kinshasa, Part III
I considered writing a proper Six Nations preview for this weekend’s match, but as it’s Ireland v Italy, decided not to bother. This means that I have probably jinxed Ireland. Italy by 5. You can have the teams for the internationals, though. Scotland v Georgia Scotland: 15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. … Continue reading Lotsa Rugby
Ovally Balls 