It is hard to beat the arrogance of an Englishman when he is on top but even harder to find him immersed in modesty when his side or his beloved posession are being beaten out of sight. Stephen Jones once again offers us an insight into this mentality in todays' Sunday Times. The fact that the Northampton win has been inspired by 4 New Zealand journeymen an Irishman and a Frenchman seem to make him think that it is even more English in origin using the tenuous connection of the empire long since given away as the sun now sets on it before lunch time. I doubt if David Quinlan would be feel blessed at being associated with this now defunt obsolite institution nor any of the others for that matter. Is there indeed an Englishman in the house?The first week of the Powergen Cup brought three victories for Welsh teams against one by England. This has caused much discussion. One Scottish newspaper, clearly inspired by the fact that Scottish clubs have now given three good performances in the past decade alone, hinted that the Celtic League is now the equal of the Guinness Premiership. The fact is that the Celtic competition is still the palest imitation when it comes to any kind of significant measure.
Last season teams from the premiership only just managed to qualify by the skin of their teeth before going on to be beaten by the French. At least the Celtic League is in the main a league made up of players from the native countries unlike the cheque book philosophy of the Premiership and at least when Cletic teams go out to play is is for the club and not their mortgages. Speak to any real club supporter of the Premiership and they will tell you the same.
Colin
