Rugby
Kick off
Christian Hesketh
Ater what seems like an interminable succession of stops and starts, while the RFU hierarchy sorts out its differences with the players, the first shots in the rugby season have been fired and we have wit- nessed, with huge pleasure, the first round in the battle of the Five Nations.
Before considering the implication of Wales's spectacular victory over Scotland and Ireland's less inspiring contest with France, it is important not to overlook the whirlpools and strong currents which are at present adding fresh disturbances to the unsettled waters of international rugby.
Keith Barwell, who is the enthusiastic owner of my home team, the Northampton Saints, has recently issued a warning in a match programme. The danger he publicis- es should not be ignored because, as he points out, the dispute between the players and the RFU is not nearing the conclusion many felt was in sight. What appeared to be a compromise between the two sides has been nullified by the Union's legal inter- pretation of what the other side thought had been agreed. Even if, as all fans hoped, the agreement between the two contenders can be secured, rugby now presents a pic- ture in which each new shake of the kalei- doscope reveals a different pattern. The danger to which Keith Barwell rightly draws our attention is that a continuing wrangle between the two contestants puts in jeopardy the Five Nations Championship itself.
Having started this article on a warning note, I would like to continue in a more optimistic mood by extolling some of the play witnessed last week in the first round of matches, whose outcome will decide not only the ownership of the Triple Crown, but the composition of the British Lions. And by British Lions I mean 15 top rugby union players who represent the British Isles when they tour the southern hemi- sphere, not the rugby league players who inexplicably have been allowed to usurp their rival's proud title.
Let us now turn to the two matches which have marked the start of what I sug- gest may be not only an exciting season, but one which may produce some unex- pected results. On Saturday, we saw Scot- land well beaten 34-19 by a new-born Welsh side. It added shame to the nation's grief that the venue was Murrayfield, where a fervent crowd contributes several points to the home side's score. On the same afternoon, Ireland lost 15-32 to France, and like Scotland the losers were playing on home ground.
England was not involved in this first round of international contests, but it is worth noting that at club level Leicester notched up an impressive 37-10 score against Toulouse. England has great strength at club level and this should be remembered when so many are going over- board celebrating Wales's undoubtedly spectacular demolition of Scotland.
When rugby league creamed off some of its rival rugby union's brightest stars, Wales was the chief loser. Now some of the lost players are back in the national side, and on Saturday's showing they have learnt to stay on their feet in situations where union players often fail to do so. As an admirer of Arwul Thomas, I was delighted to see that talented young player's dash has not been blunted by the flack he endured last sea- son. So much for the winners.
Scotland, the loser, must decide how to make better use of the side's most talented player, Gregor Townsend. After Saturday's match, the pressure to return him to his preferred position as fly half will be over- whelming with Redpath back in the team. Saturday was a dream day for goal kickers with no wind or rain. Neil Jenkins can cope `Of course its a TV dinner, I'm a TV chef' with both, but doubts surround his opposite number, Shepherd. Compared with the Murrayfield game, the contest between France and Ireland was less dramatic. Eric Elwood's impecca- ble kicking kept Ireland in the lead for most of the game, but to raise the players' expectations it is tries that they need.
Next stop for me will be Twickenham where Scotland faces England on 1 Febru- ary. For those who like a gamble, the odds against a Scottish win will be very attrac- tive.
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