Yes, it’s been a busy time recently, so apologies for the lack of updates (although, I have tried to stick in an Odd Spot entry once in a while even if I can’t compose a full post).
Over the past couple of weeks, a mix of a full five day weeks at work as we push towards hitting deadlines running through to a mid-April publication, plus evening events, lectures, Saturday morning Mandarin classes and the like have kept me on my toes.
But at least I have had the chance to watch some of the RBS Six Nations rugby union championship this weekend. I cast my mind back nearly 4 years ago, in a post I dug up from my archive website (didn’t things on this place look so different then? 
). All the way back then, England were almost invincible, a Grand Slam win in the 6 Nations ultimately led to England winning the World Cup. Three years on, and how so different. England have struggled as the old guard retired, a string of poor results and no Jonny Wilkinson for three years out due to injury.
But with Brian Ashton stepping into the Head Coach’s hot seat, England pulled a surprise out yesterday. Jonny Wilkinson was back, and sublime, setting new records, as he led England to a 42-20 win against Scotland, scoring an albeit dubious try and a plethora of kicks. Jason Robinson, returning from his self-imposed international retirement came back to score two tries, Andy Farrell, rugby league’s former Man-of-Steel, made an impressive debut, and Harry Ellis, who should have been given the man-of-the-march award (save for some rare sentiment for JW by BBC pundit, Brian Moore), gave one of the best scrum half displays of any nation for a very long time.
Everything seemed to click for England. Gone were the handling errors that dogged England’s performances in last autumn’s internationals, the lineouts were working brilliant (except for Scotland’s first try of course), and the back row forwards provided constant pressure on Scotland as the front five dealt with the scrum.
All the fans will still have four years ago in the back of their mind. England will be going out to defend their title in the autumn, but given three years of dismay, this was a solid foundation of what needs to be a huge confidence build if England are to win the World Cup again. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Scotland were lacklustre and seemed out of ideas for most of the match, yet still scored two tries and 20 points in total. France performed brilliantly against Italy. And the All Blacks are the ones who look invincible at the moment. But for the start of a campaign in such a short time, England have made the best possible. And genuinely, it’s great to see Jonny Wilkinson back.
As a fan and follower of rugby, the southern hemisphere needs a good challenge from the north in the World Cup. It may well be that England could provide it.
France also played minnows Italy in Rome on Saturday, and their own challenge was on display as they thrashed Italy 39-3 in a very convincing win.
Links:
RBS 6 Nations – Official Site
BBC Sport – Rugby Union news and coverage
BBC Sport – Match reports: Italy 3-39 France | England 42-20 Scotland