Congratulations to England

Congratulations to the English rugby team for an excellent performance and win this morning against New Zealand.  I watched the first half on television and though England completely controlled it, then listened to the second half on the radio.  It may surprise some to hear, but I actually enjoy seeing demonstrations of positive English nationalism, and the English rugby supporters certainly embrace that.  Too often we see United Kingdom / England used interchangeably and in the wrong context, which I find hugely frustrating.  So well done to England and to all the English supporters.  I hope you enjoy your celebrations.  England will start as favourites in the final regardless of whether their opponents are Wales or South Africa.  I hope it is Wales - what a final that would be.

A couple of observations on rugby more generally.  First of all, I am fed up with the Haka and think I is time for the rugby authorities to say enough is enough.  It was fine when rugby was an amateur sport, but in the professional era it looks completely disrespectful.  Imagine another team being allowed to jump up and down and shout aggressively at their opponents before the start of the game?  I don't think so.  Time for it to go.  Secondly, we shouldn't forget that Scotland completely outclassed England at Murrayfield in the Six Nations only 20 months ago.  The fact England have improved so much since then, and that Scotland have deteriorated so much, is something we should be asking serious questions about.  We have gone considerably backwards in that time.  Why has it gone so wrong?  Here's a question: if we had a coach like Warren Gatland or Eddie Jones, could Scotland be in the semi finals of the world cup?  I think we might, but we'll never know.

Finally I'm not long back from Cumbernauld where I watched a wonderful display of high quality cross country running at the Lindsays National Cross Country relay championships.  It was great to see athletes of the calibre of Callum Hawkins, Andy Douglas, Sol Sweeney, Ali Hay and many other show their talents.  I have to admit I felt very old presenting the Edinburgh University ladies team with their medals after their win.  Hopefully I'll be back again running at these events, and one of the joys of these events is the way that people of any ability can take part, but it was a reminder that my best days of running were quite a long time ago.