Rugby

Bath 12 Harlequins 19

I have watched almost all of the football World Cup games to date but with little enthusiasm. So the autumn internationals and last night Quins’ victory over Bath Rugby were welcome relief. Quins were without Marcus Smith, who sustained an ankle injury against South Africa and will not play [...]

December 3, 2022 // 0 Comments

The case for Eddie Jones.

Given that the Rust has been one of the most trenchant critics of England coach Eddie Jones you may be surprised by the title of this post. Of course the RFU are reluctant to sack him for financial reasons but – despite his many faults and failures – a case can be made to retain him [...]

November 29, 2022 // 0 Comments

My sporting weekend

On Saturday evening I watched England entertain the All Blacks. I was amazed to learn the two countries had met so infrequently and pleased that the last time they did – in the 2019 World Cup semi final at Yokahama stadium – I was there in the presence of Wayne Smith and his Kiwi party. [...]

November 21, 2022 // 0 Comments

Sale 40 Harlequins 19

Ten years ago Sale Sharks’ Ryan Mills was preferred to Owen Farrell for England Juniors. After leaving beleaguered Wasps, Mills is now playing on a wet Manchester night in the Premiership Cup and Farrell is lining up for his 100th England cap against the All Blacks. I am here to report on Quins [...]

November 19, 2022 // 0 Comments

My sporting weekend

Saturday – from the comfort of my sofa – I watched 3 rugby games: the Women’s World Cup Final, England versus Japan and France versus South Africa. I must agree to differ with Sandra on her take on the World Cup Final whilst agreeing it was an enthralling contest. Lydia Thompson knew [...]

November 14, 2022 // 0 Comments

The Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

England’s Red Roses rugby union team duly came off second best against New Zealand’s Black Ferns yesterday by a score margin of 31 to 34 in the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup final played at Eden Park in front of over 40,000 spectators, thereby concluding their 30-match winning streak against [...]

November 13, 2022 // 0 Comments

Media comments on the sporting day

Yesterday was largely spent on my sofa following sport on BT Sport, Sky Sports, Amazon Prime, Radio 5 and Talk Sport. I was largely unimpressed by the coverage. BT Sport covered Chelsea 0 Arsenal 1 – a featureless match. In the second half I switched to Talksport 2 where Clive Tyldesley [...]

November 7, 2022 // 0 Comments

England 29 Argentina 30

It is a fact of elite sporting life that in the final analysis of historical perspective everyone involved – from the back-room staff, kit-men, physiotherapists trainers, managers and coaches right through to the players, athletes and participants are judged by their statistics and results – [...]

November 7, 2022 // 0 Comments

Rugby Union – the concussion issue and the Premiership: an observer’s view

THE INHERENT DANGERS OF PLAYING SPORT From time to time over the years we on the Rust have reported upon developments in the world of rugby union, often with a decidedly English slant. I refer here to matters relating to the England national team, the administration of the game generally in England [...]

October 5, 2022 // 0 Comments

Harlequins 35 Northampton Saints 29

The Premiership may be flawed, as Sandra McConnnell opined, but it does serve up great rugby… unless you are a Quins fan. As against Saracens and Exeter Chiefs the last few minutes were nail-biting. Quins’ 35 -15 lead had disappeared and one try and conversion would have won it for Saints. [...]

October 3, 2022 // 0 Comments

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ITV COVERAGE OF CHELTENHAM

March 14, 2026 // 0 Comments

I am in the camp of watching on tv rather than attending for the 3 Cs: cost , convenience and comfort. With the cost of travelling and attending Cheltenham and last [...]
Max Schmelling/ The Good German

March 4, 2026 // 0 Comments

In the unlikely event that I would be asked to nominate a Great Life on Matthew Parris ‘ show my choice would be the Black Uhlan Max Schmelling. In the 1930s thee [...]
The Tanner Report : Fulham 2 spurs 1

March 3, 2026 // 0 Comments

Prior to Fulham ‘s comfortable win over Spurs (2-1) I watched the big match Revisited featuring Chelsea 1 Arsenal 2 i guess in the early 70s It would be foolish to [...]
The Six Nations

February 24, 2026 // 0 Comments

The Six Nations continues to throw up surprises. England could not bounce back against Ireland , a resurgent Wales gave Scotland à close game with the Millennium Stadium [...]
Brentford 0 Brighton 2

February 23, 2026 // 0 Comments

The heat is off Fabian Hürzeler with Brighton ‘s 1st win in 13 games. Club owner Tony Bloom was not at the G Tech stadium due to a long planned family engagement but had [...]