Spectator Sport

7 February 2009

Six of the best

What does seem pretty certain is that Martin Johnson’s England are looking beleaguered. An out-of-form Toby Flood has been preferred to Danny Cipriani at stand-off (shame on you, selectors), and there was little sign in the run of heavy autumn defeats that England had the wit or panache to open up their game. I’m told that Rob Andrew and even the saintly Johnno were rather snooty at a recent lunch, apparently viewing England’s place at the top of the rugby world as just part of the natural order. Ho-hum, we’ll see. The great club sides who have qualified for the final round of the wonderful Heineken Cup all play their rugby in an open, graceful way: look at Bath, where a high-risk, high-tempo, very un-English style of play is being masterminded by some brilliant South Africans, or the Cardiff Blues or Toulouse.

And Sunday’s match — when Wales, the pre-tournament darlings, travel to Edinburgh — could spring a surprise. Watch out for Shane Williams, of course, Lee Byrne, the commentators’ unanimous pick for Lions fullback, and the mighty Andy Powell, one beast of a flanker. Mark you, Scotland have the best No. 9 in Europe, the incomparable Mike Blair, and in Euan Murray an awesome tight-head.

France could be a real challenge to the Welsh. Coach Marc Lievremont is sounding increasingly bonkers, but they do have Toulouse’s Clément Poitrenaud at No. 10 — all Gallic brilliance and occasional moments of madness. And in their admirable hooker, Dimitri Szarzewski, they must have the best-looking man ever to scrum down.

The epic rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is assuming near-mythic proportions. And anyone who doubts that great sport can define the very best things in life itself should look again at Nadal comforting a tearful Federer at the end of the Australian Open. It was a moment that could teach all of us a lesson in grace and generosity.

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Barry Hanley

March 20th, 2009 3:22am Report this comment

Mr. Alton,

Love your musings on the cauliflower eared brigade but I detect no love for the Irish squad. Rookie International coach Declan Kidney has pulled off an extraordinary revival in a team that was circling the toilet bowl post World Cup. How about some recognition for the prospect of a first Irish Grand Slam in 61 years?? It's stirring stuff for Paddies everywhere.

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