The weekend sport

International week can be dreary for sports lovers but there was rugby and some international football games to enjoy.

Granite Grant has already covered the England victory over the All Blacks. The big winners were George Ford who has surely staked his fly half claim with 2 drop goals and a converted penalty and Olly Lawrence who was a powerhouse at centre I’m still not convinced by England though

Because it happened to be on I watched Harlequins Women lose to Exeter Chiefs. I don’t really follow women’s rugby but I was impressed by the physical commitment and spirit of Harlequins of fighting to the end of a match already lost.

Scotland disappointed for the second week running and failed to capitalise on à strong position. This time they were 21-0 up but ended up losing 33-24. In the fly half battle Carreras came out on top of his Bath teammate Finn Russell and the Pumas comeback owes much to him. Las Pumas will certainly give England à game next Sunday having already beaten the Lions on their summer tour and Australia and New Zealand home and away and the Boks at home in the Rugby Championship . George Ford did for them in the Japan World cup and he is unlikely to be overlooked this time.

Not much depended on England beating Albania 2-0 in the UEFA WORLD CUP qualifiers but we are used to England qualifying but not winning atrophy. Still they still seem to be the team to beat. Will Thomas Tuchel change things? He does select a team like Alf Ramsay rather than individuals like Jimmy Greaves and Jude Bellingham. However just like our Rugby team I can see this team not winning any silverware. The real surprise is that Italy have ton play 2 play offs to qualify. shamefully but typically their defeat to Norway was not broadcast