Bring on 2015

Following the superb and memorable Olympic and Paralympic Games we have a wonderful opportunity, with the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015, to stage another truly world-class sporting event.

A great start has been made with Debbie Jevans, the highly respected director of sport at the Olympics, being appointed as CEO of England Rugby 2015 and with the prospect of rugby being played in the Olympic stadium.

I must say I’m intrigued by the possibility that the Olympic stadium might be used for the Rugby World Cup. I’ve been to the stadium twice in recent weeks and it’s superb – for athletics. Whether it can be modified to accommodate a rugby audience successfully and still be used for major athletics events in the future (which really should be the stadium's legacy), however, remains to be seen.

I really hope so because it’s a fantastic venue in a fantastic position – the Olympic Park is an ideal place for international fans to meet and mingle and it’s far better positioned than Twickenham, for instance, to bring top class rugby to London.

Back in Blighty

Back after 2 weeks of 40 degree heat in Turkey and welcomed by cold drizzle at Luton Airport at 1.30 this morning - SO glad to be home!

Did I miss much? Apparently not, other than another (surprise, surprise) injury to the Artist Formerly Known as Gavin Church, a promising start by the Argentinians to the tournament formerly known as the Tri-Nations and the apparent sacking of Northampton hooker Brett Sharman following an alleged racist tweet on Twitter about British Olympic hero, Mo Farah. What a prat (that's Sharman, not Farah!).

I have to admit I'm still buzzing 2 weeks after the Olympics and very much looking forward to the imminent Paralympics in London. There's a most definite feelgood factor in British sport from which rugby in these parts can benefit - and I'm hoping in particular that the RFU can take a long hard look at the likes of British Rowing and British Cycling and realise that it is possible to produce consistent and sustainable excellence (and not only in sitting down sports).