Rugby
Hope and glory
Christian Hesketh
In rugby terms this season is special in that it offers to all fans the prospect of see- ing national sides, drawn from all over the world, compete for glory in their efforts to reach the final. This will be played in Cardiff's handsome new stadium on 6 November. I cannot resist boasting that I will be there.
Before the fireworks begin, however, it appears an appropriate moment to look at our home teams. Where, first of all, does England stand? Dallaglio's demotion as team captain, though deserved, is regret- table not least because his successor, Mar- tin Johnson, seems to lack the even temper required of a captain leading a national side. Playing against Canada recently, he collected a yellow card through an alterca- tion with the ref.
What are England's strengths and weak- nesses? We have just seen a sporting Pre- miership XV lose by 17-92 to the national side. This is an encouraging signal to Clive Woodward, the coach, that his team's endeavours have paid off. Consequently, a powerful pack, which is England's strength, has fused with the backs to play the kind of quick-thinking rugby that is the key to the southern hemisphere's success. When the home side meets New Zealand on 9 Octo- ber, it will be interesting to see whether England can equal the visitors' imaginative play. No team playing New Zealand should ever forget Australia's recent victory over the All Blacks by 28-7, and England's play- ers have acquired a new confidence and a determination to act on Woodward's warn- ing that in defeat 'there is no next week'. The squad contains some talented players, among them the 19-year-old Jonny Wilkin- son.
In contrast to England's level-headed confidence, Wales is on a high. Victories over France and England and the impecca- ble kicking of Neil Jenkins, who seems to have reached his peak at just the right moment, have induced a mood of national euphoria. In vain does Graham Henry, the team's admirable coach, try to induce a more measured appraisal of its prospects. The Scottish selectors can only be thankful that Gregor Townsend, one of the team's few world-class players, is fit again after a recent knee operation. Injuries of any kind are a severe blow to the side in a country where a national devotion to soccer ensures that rugby lacks a powerful home base. Scottish rugby has an unnerving capacity both to raise the hearts of its devo- tees and inspire the blackest gloom. The recent matches against Romania and the Argentine illustrate the point.
In assessing Ireland, the side's recent 32-24 win over the Argentine showed the quality of some outstanding players. Brian O'Driscoll, still only 20, is one of them and will be worth watching in the weeks to come. The Irish XV, it deserves to be remembered, follow a noble tradition in including in its green-jerseyed ranks players from all parts of the island.
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