Rugby World Cup

It’s not a question of lack of understanding, it’s a question of culture and upbringing. As you suggest complex and highly subjective subjects and McGeechan has spent his life in rugger – all over the UK.

What matters is his ability to offer objective assessments. You suggested his appointment was inappropriate whereas I think he is eminently suited to the job.

Yes, you are right, he is a worthy chap and I like him. However, you don’t understand heritage and ethnicity. Because he was born in Yorkshire doesn’t make him English. A dog born in a stable isn’t a horse ! Mr. McGeechan inherits his heritage and his ethnicity thru’ his parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc. Like many things tho’ it isn’t that simple.

At one time in his life he enthused about and supported to the ultimate his patronage of Scottish rugby. Now we’re asking him to remove his tam o’ shanter and plant a bowler on his head. As I inferred above, it seems a bit odd to say the least.

We are touching on one of the weirdest aspects of modern sport, in particular – with its appeal by various coaches to patriotism, culture and cohesion – rugby, and to a lesser extent soccer, with what seems to be a constant stream of overseas players whom we then try to include in our appeal to adopt the values and culture of the host nation and perhaps think of themselves as fully paid up committed members of that tribe.

I don’t know how successfully a coach or team manager can persuade foreign players that they are truly representative.

Wrong John. He is a Yorkshireman but played for and captained Scotland through parentage. He is currently Director of Rugby at Leeds Carnegie, in his home town, where he started with Headingley.

He has spent most of his career since he stopped playing for Scotland south of the border with the British Lions and English clubs.

I also think he is one of most objective and least opinionated commentators on the sport, unlike a few others I could mention. A worthy member of the panel.

I can’t get over this bit of rampant cheek !

Ian McGeechan, a former Scotland rugby star, has been asked to sit on a panel or committee convened by the Rugby Football Union to review the abysmal performance of England during the World Cup.

Not only that, it seems that originally, McGeechan might have had something to do with Stuart Lancaster’s appointment.

Without wishing to put too fine a point on it and possibly upsetting Meddle – yet again – McGeechan is a Scot and no doubt a patriotic one whose first and only sporting duty is to Scotland and not to the loathed Sassenachs. How can he be neutral in any sense of the word ?

None of this is to infer that Sir Ian is even remotely a supporter of the Andy Murray Academy of Sporting Supporters.

This info is gathered from the current edition of the Sport Telegraph.

Crikey !!

Oh! us of little faith, the Scots so nearly did it, well played Scotland I am gutted for you.

Your right John I won’t be holding breath either, but lets hope. A depression has settled across Ireland particularly at the size of the score.

I won’t be holding my breath on that one. I now firmly belong to the Andy Murray school of sports supporters.

I never thought I’d live to see the day that the Argies beat Ireland never mind putting 43 points past them !

If I hear that screetching bird yelling “der Weld in yew n’ yun” one more time I’ll reach for my gun.

All down to Scotland for the honour of the Northern hemisphere !!!

Now away for a few days but hopefully catch some of Ireland beating the Pumas and the Wallabies booting Scotland out of the tournament.

French obliterated. On the strength of tonight my money’s now on NZ going the whole way. Scintillating rugger.

Posted this in Snippets thread in error…

Great match – SA deserved winners!;)Now it should be All Blacks to beat Les Bleues.

Heck of a game! Boks just edged it at the death. Wales, I thought were excellent.

I’m sticking my neck out – SA, NZ, IRELAND and AUSTRALIA for the semis! And the Wallabies to pip the All Blacks on 31st October.

1st class performance by Ireland last night the pace of the game was 100mph. Great game to watch, however the injury list was serious.

Charlie thanks. I’ll make sure to repay your scrutiny or is that scrootany ?

Easter…..:)

Unimpressive win by England. Despite the changes, they still lack the fluency and adept handling necessary for the top table.

As one of the first of his fans, its good to see Jack Nowall deliver a fine performance, similarly Nick Easton.

Great to watch very impressive – I think they can go all the way.

Good to see fresh England faces tonight. I’d like to have seen Care in the mix before tonight.

All true UK rugby fans should surely be hoping for a Wales victory as well?!

I didn’t intend to leave out our Welsh cousins, who put on a great display, pity they did not win, Australia’s defence was amazing, another great game.