It is hideous that our best players are made to play for their clubs in the only rest period during the six nations. I am a regular at the Madejski and have always enjoyed immenseley when one of the Samoan lads puts a big hit on an opposition fly half. But when last week, Wilkinson was on the receiving end of one such huge hit, the collective gasp from the crowd was very loud indeed. It was a fair tackle and Tagicakibau actually checked to see if Wilko was ok before playing on, but every Englishman in the crowd had the same thought: Why on earth was our flyhalf and dare say talisman being played within the international period. Criminal, and shame on the RFU.
I am glad Catt is back but would like to offer an alternative opinion to the 'straight into the England coach' set up. At the moment Catt is being coached and mentored by one Brian Smith. A man who has performed miracles at LI. Smith, has had considerable success as a player and coach in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. He has also got experience at national level; sure you could argue coaching and managing the Aussie sevens isn't really top flight but its close enough for government work.
Mike Catt is no fool, and I am sure he is well aware that coaching experience gained at a forward thinking club under the guidance of a man who has possibly the broadest depth of experience of any coach in the world today, is going to be far more beneficial in the long term, than going early, to a set up which is being comprehensively undermined by the RFU's thirst for revenue, and one Mr Rob Andrew.
I am well aware that Catt is an Ashton/Bath favourite but let us not forget that Brian Smith is also ex-Bath and arguably their most successful coach in recent years. So it would appear that all the boxes are ticked for him stayig at LI and progressing up the coaching ladder there. To the long term benefit of the national game IMHO.
Finally. As a purely partisan viewer, and given he completely eclipsed both Wilkinson and Flood on Saturday, I would have gone for Shane Geraghty at ten, but earnestly hope he will get off the bench with sufficient time available to show that he is the true understudy to Wilko!
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