It’s amazing how quick we can be sometimes to consign a sportsman to the realms of yesteryear.
It seems the second someone is no longer showing their former prowess they are ranked as a has been who no longer has a great deal to offer.
Lleyton Hewitt was seen by many as an old-stager in the twilight of his career before an impressive showing at Wimbledon reminded people he is still only 28.
Andy Roddick, who came so close to a heroic championship win, was also widely regarded as a player whose best days were behind him - and he’s just 26.
Hewitt’s former flame Kim Clihsters, who retired two years ago, is talking about a come back to the sport and anyone writing her off may need to be reminded she is still only 26.
It was not very long ago that rumours were circulating that Michael Owen might never kick a football as a professional again.
In the same summer he has just completed a shock move to Premiership champions Manchester United and don’t think Alex Ferguson has signed him for a retirement swan song.
Owen may lack the pace and spark of his early career but he is 29 and a natural goal scorer who, if United give chances to, will score goals.
If he is fit and playing Owen is among the best finishers in the game and will continue to get in goal scoring positions.
It is amazing how often the simple task of putting the ball in the back of the net can prove a problem for the top sides and Owen’s fox-in-the-box approach could offer United an extra weapon.
One compromise Owen has made in signing for a club like United is the lack of a guarantee of first team football.
Throughout his career Owen has maintained he is at his best and most dangerous when playing week in, week out.
With the likes of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to compete with for a place in the starting line-up, that is unlikely to happen at Old Trafford and he will have to make the most of the time he does have on the pitch.
Nobody is pretending he will make up for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Fergie knows the value Owen could add and his experience could also be vital off the pitch in the development of emerging forwards such as Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda.
United fans will remember the positive impact Henrik Larsson had at Old Trafford when he came on loan at the age of 35 and the former Celtic forward also proved a more than useful option for Barcelona in the twilight of his career.
Filippo Inzagh, a player very similar to Owen, was often used as the spearhead of the AC Milan attack at the age of 35 last season and his striking instincts saw him hit 16 goals.
Despite a four-year spell at Newcastle and a season at Real Madrid, Owen will still be seen by most as a former Liverpool player and, given the ferocious rivalry
between the two clubs, may have his work cut out to win over the United fans.
But if he gets playing and doing what he does best – scoring goals – all will very quickly be forgiven.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Lion-hearted O'Driscoll shows class in defeat
Following Saturday’s dead rubber in Johannesburg, the next time the Lions run out for a test match they will have gone 16 years without a series win.
An epic test match in the Loftus Versfeld saw the tourists edged out by the indomitable Springboks and condemned them to a third straight series defeat.
The losing streak has posed serious questions of the values and approach of modern Lions parties but there has been plenty in the two breathtaking encounters in the last two weeks to offer hope for the future.
The Lions are far from their lowest ebb, things started to go wrong in 2001 when they somehow contrived to throw away the series in Australia having made all the early running and cracks started to appear in columnists penned by touring players.
The side hit rock bottom in New Zealand four years ago when an over-sized tourist party and back-up staff led by Sir Clive Woodward were wiped off the park by an outstanding All Black team.
On the current tour the Lions have again been up against a very special team with an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Lions have produced some outstanding rugby and matched their opponents in almost every area.
They floundered at the last, though, against the unbreakable rock of a South African team that has developed into an experienced and clinical rugby unit which has found the habit of winning very hard to break.
The Boks have also developed an annoying habit of producing precociously talented, game-changing players with that inherent self-belief that South Africans do so well.
Several Lions players, however, have enhanced their reputations massively on tour and can use the experience as a springboard to push on.
Jamie Roberts left these isles as a highly promising utility back and will return as a truly world class centre – the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Stirling Mortlock.
Rob Kearney produced a definitive performance of full-back play under a barrage of high kicks in Pretoria and Adam Jones will forever be hailed as the man who tamed ‘the Beast’.
There was one man though who confirmed his position among the true greats of modern rugby.
In some of the most competitive and high-class international rugby seen in recent years, Brian O’Driscoll was simply in a class of his own and was always the opponent the Springboks feared above all.
The Irish centre had a dream of a season with Ireland and Leinster and will have been heartbroken that he could not cap it off with a Lions series win.
Lions’ skipper Paul O’Connell admitted after the cruel second test defeat that O’Driscoll’s injury in the second half was the one that hurt them the most, calling him ‘the linchpin of the team’ – something of a brave admission when O’Connell had only just edged the centre in the captaincy selection.
His nickname may be ‘God’ but, unfortunately O’Driscoll’s body is still human
The ferocity of his tackling and his body on the line approach eventually took its toll and you could feel the South Africans’ spirits lift when he went off.
Stuart Barnes pointed to his colossal hit on the man mountain Danie Rossouw as a potential turning point in the manner of Scott Gibbs’ crunching of Os Du Randt twelve years ago.
It proved to be just as crucial but for the entirely opposite reason.
While the sight of a stunned Rossouw being wheeled off may have temporarily raised the tourists’ spirits, O’Driscoll’s departure with suspected concussion a few minutes later left the Lions devoid of one of their most potent attacking weapons and their defensive fulcrum.
If he misses next Saturday’s fixture it will be the second cruel end to a Lions tour for one of the greatest to wear the red jersey and – at 30 – it may be the last we see of him for the special side.
While O’Driscoll may not have another tour in him the likes of Kearney, Roberts and Tom Croft will come again and will be better for their chastening experience.
Australia may not be the world’s greatest team at the moment, they are certainly not in South Africa’s class, but anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby will expect them to put out a more than competitive side when the Lions head down under in four years’ time.
However, despite their defeat, the Lions seem to have rediscovered their core values on this tour and 2013 could be their best opportunity in decades to secure a tour win.
An epic test match in the Loftus Versfeld saw the tourists edged out by the indomitable Springboks and condemned them to a third straight series defeat.
The losing streak has posed serious questions of the values and approach of modern Lions parties but there has been plenty in the two breathtaking encounters in the last two weeks to offer hope for the future.
The Lions are far from their lowest ebb, things started to go wrong in 2001 when they somehow contrived to throw away the series in Australia having made all the early running and cracks started to appear in columnists penned by touring players.
The side hit rock bottom in New Zealand four years ago when an over-sized tourist party and back-up staff led by Sir Clive Woodward were wiped off the park by an outstanding All Black team.
On the current tour the Lions have again been up against a very special team with an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Lions have produced some outstanding rugby and matched their opponents in almost every area.
They floundered at the last, though, against the unbreakable rock of a South African team that has developed into an experienced and clinical rugby unit which has found the habit of winning very hard to break.
The Boks have also developed an annoying habit of producing precociously talented, game-changing players with that inherent self-belief that South Africans do so well.
Several Lions players, however, have enhanced their reputations massively on tour and can use the experience as a springboard to push on.
Jamie Roberts left these isles as a highly promising utility back and will return as a truly world class centre – the Northern Hemisphere’s answer to Stirling Mortlock.
Rob Kearney produced a definitive performance of full-back play under a barrage of high kicks in Pretoria and Adam Jones will forever be hailed as the man who tamed ‘the Beast’.
There was one man though who confirmed his position among the true greats of modern rugby.
In some of the most competitive and high-class international rugby seen in recent years, Brian O’Driscoll was simply in a class of his own and was always the opponent the Springboks feared above all.
The Irish centre had a dream of a season with Ireland and Leinster and will have been heartbroken that he could not cap it off with a Lions series win.
Lions’ skipper Paul O’Connell admitted after the cruel second test defeat that O’Driscoll’s injury in the second half was the one that hurt them the most, calling him ‘the linchpin of the team’ – something of a brave admission when O’Connell had only just edged the centre in the captaincy selection.
His nickname may be ‘God’ but, unfortunately O’Driscoll’s body is still human
The ferocity of his tackling and his body on the line approach eventually took its toll and you could feel the South Africans’ spirits lift when he went off.
Stuart Barnes pointed to his colossal hit on the man mountain Danie Rossouw as a potential turning point in the manner of Scott Gibbs’ crunching of Os Du Randt twelve years ago.
It proved to be just as crucial but for the entirely opposite reason.
While the sight of a stunned Rossouw being wheeled off may have temporarily raised the tourists’ spirits, O’Driscoll’s departure with suspected concussion a few minutes later left the Lions devoid of one of their most potent attacking weapons and their defensive fulcrum.
If he misses next Saturday’s fixture it will be the second cruel end to a Lions tour for one of the greatest to wear the red jersey and – at 30 – it may be the last we see of him for the special side.
While O’Driscoll may not have another tour in him the likes of Kearney, Roberts and Tom Croft will come again and will be better for their chastening experience.
Australia may not be the world’s greatest team at the moment, they are certainly not in South Africa’s class, but anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby will expect them to put out a more than competitive side when the Lions head down under in four years’ time.
However, despite their defeat, the Lions seem to have rediscovered their core values on this tour and 2013 could be their best opportunity in decades to secure a tour win.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Into the Lions' den
Ian McGeechan names his Lions touring party tomorrow and, even before a name has been read out, there are concerns about the lack of creativity in the touring party.
The likes of Gavin Henson, James Hook and Danny Cipriani – three of the most naturally talented and exciting rugby players hailing from these shores – are expected to miss out on the trip to South Africa for a variety of reasons.
Henson is almost certain to be omitted on fitness grounds, Hook may stay at home due to poor form and for Cirpriani it would be a mixture of both.
The likely selection of Paul O’Connell as skipper for the tour is expected to set a tone of hard-nosed competitive selections that offer hope for a competitive series, but little in the way of inspiration.
O’Connell’s Ireland team mates Brian O’Driscoll is likely to be a key figure and proved that he is still amongst the world’s very best in this year’s Six Nations, but he lacks the ability to dazzle and the broken play threat of his earlier career.
The dancing winger Shane Williams may well be the only member of the squad who can claim the tag of genuine match-winner.
The fly half position seems to sum up this squad, with the test match berth likely to come down to a duel between Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara and Welsh stand off Stephen Jones.
Both are established test number tens and are reliable options but neither has the ability to produce the kind of inspired moments of magic of which Hook and Cipriani are capable.
Yes, there is a need for a tough approach against South Africa and Ian McGeechan will no doubt benefit from the selection of a number of fiercely combative and reliable individuals to mould into a test team.
But even the most solid and competitive side needs its jokers, its game breakers, and in a large squad on a long tour such as the Lions, where campaigns are often beset by injury, McGeechan would do well to have more than one joker in his pack.
Clive Woodward’s England World Cup winning side in 2003 was the perfect example of a unit that relied on grit and determination, rather than dazzling rugby to achieve success.
But just as important as the likes of Martin Johnson, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio – the driving forces behind England’s power play – were the one or two players capable of moments of individual brilliance, such as Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood, who could turn a big game.
You can also look at the Lions’ opponents South Africa during their own successful World Cup campaign in 2007.
Their effort was led by the brawn of the likes of Victor Matfield, Bakkes Botha and Schalke Burger, but their star was the sensational speedster Bryan Habana, while the precocious Francois Steyn also provided key moments of audacious skill.
McGeechan would also do well to place less emphasis on the versatility of the fringe players in the squad – with the likes of Toby Flood and Chris Paterson touted as possible back-up tourists – and more of the potential impact from the bench of, say, a Ben Foden or a Keith Earls.
In modern day rugby, which is becoming ever more a twenty-two-a-side game, the impact of replacements in a tight test match could decide the series.
The likes of Gavin Henson, James Hook and Danny Cipriani – three of the most naturally talented and exciting rugby players hailing from these shores – are expected to miss out on the trip to South Africa for a variety of reasons.
Henson is almost certain to be omitted on fitness grounds, Hook may stay at home due to poor form and for Cirpriani it would be a mixture of both.
The likely selection of Paul O’Connell as skipper for the tour is expected to set a tone of hard-nosed competitive selections that offer hope for a competitive series, but little in the way of inspiration.
O’Connell’s Ireland team mates Brian O’Driscoll is likely to be a key figure and proved that he is still amongst the world’s very best in this year’s Six Nations, but he lacks the ability to dazzle and the broken play threat of his earlier career.
The dancing winger Shane Williams may well be the only member of the squad who can claim the tag of genuine match-winner.
The fly half position seems to sum up this squad, with the test match berth likely to come down to a duel between Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara and Welsh stand off Stephen Jones.
Both are established test number tens and are reliable options but neither has the ability to produce the kind of inspired moments of magic of which Hook and Cipriani are capable.
Yes, there is a need for a tough approach against South Africa and Ian McGeechan will no doubt benefit from the selection of a number of fiercely combative and reliable individuals to mould into a test team.
But even the most solid and competitive side needs its jokers, its game breakers, and in a large squad on a long tour such as the Lions, where campaigns are often beset by injury, McGeechan would do well to have more than one joker in his pack.
Clive Woodward’s England World Cup winning side in 2003 was the perfect example of a unit that relied on grit and determination, rather than dazzling rugby to achieve success.
But just as important as the likes of Martin Johnson, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio – the driving forces behind England’s power play – were the one or two players capable of moments of individual brilliance, such as Jason Robinson and Will Greenwood, who could turn a big game.
You can also look at the Lions’ opponents South Africa during their own successful World Cup campaign in 2007.
Their effort was led by the brawn of the likes of Victor Matfield, Bakkes Botha and Schalke Burger, but their star was the sensational speedster Bryan Habana, while the precocious Francois Steyn also provided key moments of audacious skill.
McGeechan would also do well to place less emphasis on the versatility of the fringe players in the squad – with the likes of Toby Flood and Chris Paterson touted as possible back-up tourists – and more of the potential impact from the bench of, say, a Ben Foden or a Keith Earls.
In modern day rugby, which is becoming ever more a twenty-two-a-side game, the impact of replacements in a tight test match could decide the series.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Frank the footman carries out his duties
The Fabio Capello England bandwagon kept on rolling at Wembley with a solid win over a competent Ukraine side.
The Italian seems to have instilled a winning mentality into his side and even when Andriy Shevchenko equalised for the visitors, an England victory always looked like the only outcome.
Although England received a reality check against Spain in Seville in February, the side has come a long way.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss seems to be achieving the old trick of getting the best out of his players and the team are playing with confidence.
Most pundits and journalists have been waxing lyrical about the way Capello has managed to get the best out of both Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, with both men enjoying the same freedom they play with at club level.
But perhaps a more impressive change from Capello’s point of view is the way he has changed the mentality of Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea midfielder has experienced fluctuating fortunes during his international career, reaching the highs of England player of the year and the lows of boo-boy.
Under Capello his performances have almost crept under the radar but the Italian himself will certainly be impressed with his industrious efforts and shows of team responsibility.
Playing more of a holding role for his country, Lampard has reinvented himself as a highly effective cog in Capello’s well oiled machine – as opposed to the free-running individual of his early days that he still displays at club level.
He has been playing alongside Gareth Barry in the midfield engine room but the Aston Villa player is not the same kind of sitting player as Claude Makelele or his Chelsea successor John Obi Mikel.
It is easy to get world class players such as Gerrard and Rooney and get them to play with freedom and licence, it is much harder to take players used to that liberty to restrain their attacking instincts and play a disciplined role for their teammates.
The Italian seems to have instilled a winning mentality into his side and even when Andriy Shevchenko equalised for the visitors, an England victory always looked like the only outcome.
Although England received a reality check against Spain in Seville in February, the side has come a long way.
The former Milan and Real Madrid boss seems to be achieving the old trick of getting the best out of his players and the team are playing with confidence.
Most pundits and journalists have been waxing lyrical about the way Capello has managed to get the best out of both Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, with both men enjoying the same freedom they play with at club level.
But perhaps a more impressive change from Capello’s point of view is the way he has changed the mentality of Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea midfielder has experienced fluctuating fortunes during his international career, reaching the highs of England player of the year and the lows of boo-boy.
Under Capello his performances have almost crept under the radar but the Italian himself will certainly be impressed with his industrious efforts and shows of team responsibility.
Playing more of a holding role for his country, Lampard has reinvented himself as a highly effective cog in Capello’s well oiled machine – as opposed to the free-running individual of his early days that he still displays at club level.
He has been playing alongside Gareth Barry in the midfield engine room but the Aston Villa player is not the same kind of sitting player as Claude Makelele or his Chelsea successor John Obi Mikel.
It is easy to get world class players such as Gerrard and Rooney and get them to play with freedom and licence, it is much harder to take players used to that liberty to restrain their attacking instincts and play a disciplined role for their teammates.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Irish eyes are smiling
This year’s Six Nations tournament ended on a high as two well-match teams locked horns in a brutal encounter in Cardiff last night.
International sides from the northern hemisphere may lack the flair of their southern counterparts, but the sheer intensity can at times be absorbing.
The Welsh and Irish teams both left nothing behind during a ferocious battle where every breakdown and every tackle area became a tooth and nail scrap.
It was not a classic in terms of free-flowing, attractive rugby but for passion and sheer drama alone it will go down into the annals of Six Nations history.
In games such as this one, where the margins are so tight and the stakes are so high, you look to your leaders and nobody grasped the occasion more than Ireland’s golden boy Brian O’Driscoll.
Ronan O’Gara may have sealed the win with his late drop goal, but it was O’Driscoll who led the second half comeback and – just like against England – was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
It is the mark of a true sporting champion when they seize the biggest stage and the crucial moments and find an extra edge to their already frighteningly high levels of performance.
Think Steven Gerrard against AC Milan in Istanbul, David Beckham against Greece, Steven Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in Sydney, Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup.
When the biggest questions have been asked, these champions have bent the occasion to their will and inspired their team to victory.
For O’Driscoll, so long the darling of Irish rugby, his mighty impact on this year’s tournament and key role in his side’s historic campaign is all the sweeter after a disappointing year last year.
It is also an extremely timely boost ahead of this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa, where he surely be a vital part of the tourists’ squad and could even go as captain – which would be a fine way to make up for his heartbreaking tour to New Zealand four years ago.
In his interview at the end of the game O’Driscoll, with typical modesty, was quick to praise the efforts of his teammates and there were several other notable performers among the men in green.
Paul O’Connell, another Lions captaincy candidate, was an immense rallying point up front and is the closest player to Martin Johnson to have graced the game since the current England boss retired.
The outstanding David Wallace outfought his opposite number Martyn Williams with his sheer athleticism and was relentless in defence.
For the Welsh, it was harsh to see their best player Stephen Jones miss the crucial kick that could have handed them victory.
Ironically though, Jones’ otherwise faultless kicking and assured display could see him selected ahead of man-of-the-moment O’Gara when it comes down to Lions’ test team selection.
Looking ahead to South Africa it will be fascinating to see all the players that have clashed so fiercely throughout this tournament lining up together in the same squad and we can only hope they can reproduce the same intensity against the Springboks.
My Lions starting XV
15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (England)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
2. Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Scotland)
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
6. James Haskell (England)
7. David Wallace (Ireland)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
International sides from the northern hemisphere may lack the flair of their southern counterparts, but the sheer intensity can at times be absorbing.
The Welsh and Irish teams both left nothing behind during a ferocious battle where every breakdown and every tackle area became a tooth and nail scrap.
It was not a classic in terms of free-flowing, attractive rugby but for passion and sheer drama alone it will go down into the annals of Six Nations history.
In games such as this one, where the margins are so tight and the stakes are so high, you look to your leaders and nobody grasped the occasion more than Ireland’s golden boy Brian O’Driscoll.
Ronan O’Gara may have sealed the win with his late drop goal, but it was O’Driscoll who led the second half comeback and – just like against England – was ultimately the difference between the two sides.
It is the mark of a true sporting champion when they seize the biggest stage and the crucial moments and find an extra edge to their already frighteningly high levels of performance.
Think Steven Gerrard against AC Milan in Istanbul, David Beckham against Greece, Steven Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in Sydney, Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup.
When the biggest questions have been asked, these champions have bent the occasion to their will and inspired their team to victory.
For O’Driscoll, so long the darling of Irish rugby, his mighty impact on this year’s tournament and key role in his side’s historic campaign is all the sweeter after a disappointing year last year.
It is also an extremely timely boost ahead of this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa, where he surely be a vital part of the tourists’ squad and could even go as captain – which would be a fine way to make up for his heartbreaking tour to New Zealand four years ago.
In his interview at the end of the game O’Driscoll, with typical modesty, was quick to praise the efforts of his teammates and there were several other notable performers among the men in green.
Paul O’Connell, another Lions captaincy candidate, was an immense rallying point up front and is the closest player to Martin Johnson to have graced the game since the current England boss retired.
The outstanding David Wallace outfought his opposite number Martyn Williams with his sheer athleticism and was relentless in defence.
For the Welsh, it was harsh to see their best player Stephen Jones miss the crucial kick that could have handed them victory.
Ironically though, Jones’ otherwise faultless kicking and assured display could see him selected ahead of man-of-the-moment O’Gara when it comes down to Lions’ test team selection.
Looking ahead to South Africa it will be fascinating to see all the players that have clashed so fiercely throughout this tournament lining up together in the same squad and we can only hope they can reproduce the same intensity against the Springboks.
My Lions starting XV
15. Lee Byrne (Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Riki Flutey (England)
11. Shane Williams (Wales)
10. Stephen Jones (Wales)
9. Mike Phillips (Wales)
1. Andrew Sheridan (England)
2. Jerry Flannery (Ireland)
3. Euan Murray (Scotland)
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
6. James Haskell (England)
7. David Wallace (Ireland)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Monday, 16 March 2009
Johnson's England shine in spring sun
For forty wonderful minutes yesterday English rugby hit the kind of heights that have been few and far between in recent years.
On a glorious Spring afternoon at Twickenham Martin Johnson’s men produced arguably their best period of rugby since Johnson and his monobrow departed the international scene following England’s World Cup win in 2003.
Yes, England were helped by a shambles of a French performance, and the reality check came even before the final whistle as France edged the scoring in a scrappy second half.
But the men in white showed a ruthlessness and ambition many thought they were incapable of during the opening stages and you could almost feel the swagger returning to the Twickenham crowd as they dived into their first rendition of ‘Swing Low’ shortly after the half hour mark.
Tom Croft took the man of the match accolade for his flawless lineout display and industrious effort in the loose but there were a number of notable performances.
Riki Flutey was devilish in the inside channel with his dancing feet, quick hands and turn of speed, while Delon Armitage showed he has the pace and confidence to mix it with the best of them.
Steve Borthwick also finally provided the kind of domineering performance up front to suggest he could be a worthy successor to Johnson.
While there were many positives to take, one of the remarkable aspects of the win was how England dominated without any real direction coming from the key decision making positions.
Harry Ellis was solid at best and, apart from one delightful inside pass for Mark Cueto in the build up to Flutey’s first try, Toby Flood was hardly a dominant force before going off injured at the break.
Andy Goode was not much better in the second period and next weekend’s game against Scotland could be ideal chance for Johnson to recall the creativity of Danny Cipriani.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and Johnson will be keen to keep expectations at a reasonable level for his developing side.
But the England fans have been offered a tantalising glimpse of the potential of this team and the only downside to yesterday’s performance is that they will now be wanting more.
On a glorious Spring afternoon at Twickenham Martin Johnson’s men produced arguably their best period of rugby since Johnson and his monobrow departed the international scene following England’s World Cup win in 2003.
Yes, England were helped by a shambles of a French performance, and the reality check came even before the final whistle as France edged the scoring in a scrappy second half.
But the men in white showed a ruthlessness and ambition many thought they were incapable of during the opening stages and you could almost feel the swagger returning to the Twickenham crowd as they dived into their first rendition of ‘Swing Low’ shortly after the half hour mark.
Tom Croft took the man of the match accolade for his flawless lineout display and industrious effort in the loose but there were a number of notable performances.
Riki Flutey was devilish in the inside channel with his dancing feet, quick hands and turn of speed, while Delon Armitage showed he has the pace and confidence to mix it with the best of them.
Steve Borthwick also finally provided the kind of domineering performance up front to suggest he could be a worthy successor to Johnson.
While there were many positives to take, one of the remarkable aspects of the win was how England dominated without any real direction coming from the key decision making positions.
Harry Ellis was solid at best and, apart from one delightful inside pass for Mark Cueto in the build up to Flutey’s first try, Toby Flood was hardly a dominant force before going off injured at the break.
Andy Goode was not much better in the second period and next weekend’s game against Scotland could be ideal chance for Johnson to recall the creativity of Danny Cipriani.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer and Johnson will be keen to keep expectations at a reasonable level for his developing side.
But the England fans have been offered a tantalising glimpse of the potential of this team and the only downside to yesterday’s performance is that they will now be wanting more.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Tiger back on the prowl
Rarely has the return to action of a sporting hero been celebrated with the gusto in which the golfing fraternity welcomed back the iconic Tiger Woods.
Tiger and his reconstructed knee took to the tee for the first time in eight months at the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Marana.
The last time we saw the Tiger on the prowl was when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines virtually on one leg.
It’s fair to say that even in his absence he had remained the most talked about figure in the sport and the last eight months seemed to have only served to show how dependent golf is on Woods for its global popularity.
Padraig Harrington did his best to fill the vacancy left by Tiger, winning successive majors last year, but he lacks the charisma and awe-inspiring talent of the main man.
Rory McIlroy has also kept the British interest from waning completely with glimpses of his exciting potential but if you asked anyone in Britain to name just one golfer Tiger would almost certainly be the name to pass their lips.
The problem when one man is so dominant in his sport is that anyone who succeeds while the champion is laid off automatically has the validity of their victory questioned – what if Tiger were playing?
Woods won his first match on his return (should we have expected anything else?) but it may take a while for him to get back to his best.
All that is certain is that the world of golf needs a fully firing Tiger because the only way a true successor can step forward is if they step up to the great man’s impeccable high standards.
Tiger and his reconstructed knee took to the tee for the first time in eight months at the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Marana.
The last time we saw the Tiger on the prowl was when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines virtually on one leg.
It’s fair to say that even in his absence he had remained the most talked about figure in the sport and the last eight months seemed to have only served to show how dependent golf is on Woods for its global popularity.
Padraig Harrington did his best to fill the vacancy left by Tiger, winning successive majors last year, but he lacks the charisma and awe-inspiring talent of the main man.
Rory McIlroy has also kept the British interest from waning completely with glimpses of his exciting potential but if you asked anyone in Britain to name just one golfer Tiger would almost certainly be the name to pass their lips.
The problem when one man is so dominant in his sport is that anyone who succeeds while the champion is laid off automatically has the validity of their victory questioned – what if Tiger were playing?
Woods won his first match on his return (should we have expected anything else?) but it may take a while for him to get back to his best.
All that is certain is that the world of golf needs a fully firing Tiger because the only way a true successor can step forward is if they step up to the great man’s impeccable high standards.
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