Whingeing Pom?

I see England forwards coach Graham Rowntree agrees with my initial impression of the performance of ref Steve Walsh on Saturday. 

Rowntree is to seek clarification from the IRB on some of Walsh’s less than even-handed officiating at the scrum and at the breakdown.

He is perfectly entitled to do so, of course. I only wish he hadn’t made it so public. 

This isn't football.

Wales v England: Prediction

What the hell am I doing, trying to predict the outcome of THE BIG ONE tomorrow in Cardiff?

I NEVER do predictions. Well, hardly ever, as predictions do have the nasty habit of coming back to bite you on the arse, much like an old college mate of mine (but that's another story).

One thing I will predict - it’ll be BRUTAL.

Anyone expecting a festival of running rugby is likely to be disappointed. After the Italy game England will, if anything, rein in what little attacking instincts they possess and play an aerial game, and I expect Wales will do likewise. IT WON'T BE PRETTY, but it’ll still be edge of the seat, squeaky bum stuff.

It’s going to be as tight as a gnat's chuff and last time I looked that was very, very tight. I can see either side winning, but not by very much. My biggest fear is that ref Steve Walsh will ruin everything by awarding a series of scrum penalties. In a game so tight he'd better be BLOODY SURE OF HIMSELF before putting whistle to lips. It might help if he watched the scrum rather than himself on the big telly screen.

OK, here goes. If pushed I’m going to say ENGLAND by 3 to 6 points, but it could just as easily be Wales by a similar margin. Fence sitter? Me? HOW VERY DARE YOU!

(Apologies, I'm so wound up I keep USING CAPITAL LETTERS).