Rugby World Cup 2015 – who should be hosting games?

After being fortunate enough to ensnare tickets for the opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham, and feasting on the near wall-to-wall ITV coverage from the opening weekend of games, I feel like a spoilt child at Christmas were I genuinely feel this could be the best ever tournament. But there are two things about the stadia being used which slightly rankle.

Firstly, this is supposed to be a World Cup hosted in England, probably the world’s richest rugby nation blessed with a plethora of international-standard rugby (union and league) and football stadia, so why is Cardiff’s Millennium stadium being used? Nobody doubts its unique atmosphere and size, but it gifts Wales an unfair advantage of two home games, when they should be on the same level playing field as every other nation, bar the hosts England. As I’m sure Scotland and Ireland would love the opportunity to play two pool games at Murrayfield and Croke Park respectively.

And this leads directly into my second point, about the paltry number of RWC 2015 games being shared with, hosted by and played in the North of England. Beyond the Midland counties, a mere six games from 48 are being played in the ‘North’ – at Elland Road in Leeds, the Manchester City Stadium and St James’ Park in Newcastle. Whilst the organisers are busy gifting six matches to the Millennium stadium, it’s frankly a disgraceful number to reward sporting fans with in the North of the country and an almost moronic missed opportunity to grow the sport beyond its traditional Southern strongholds. If the RFU and tournament organisers were really serious about ‘growing’ the sport, spreading the rugby gospel and attracting new fans, they’d forget about the pound signs associated with filling the Millennium stadium and instead focus on giving the people of Northern England a greater slice of the tournament.

Nobody wins when sports stars attack those they acheive success with

Each year brings yet another revealing-must-have-warts and all autobiography from a sporting icon either retired, soon to pack it all in or in the cases of Messers Beckham and Owen, still safely in mid-career (cashing in whilst their celebrity stock is high).  Last year it was football’s ‘Sir Alex’ and this year it is cricket’s ‘KP’, two men united by their almost unparalleled success, forthright opinions, unshakable self-belief in their ability, and confidence bordering on (and sometimes crossing into) the arrogant. So it comes as no surprise that both has upset, and continues to rile, former colleagues, friends and team-mates as they re-count past glories, victories and defeats.

What is surprising and slightly saddening is that the mud-slinging is from two men who both played instrumental roles in periods of uncharted success for Manchester United and the England cricket team respectively. Nobody is naive enough to believe that in every team, everyone is best friends, whistling in the shower, holding hands and singing ABBA songs to one another. Like any successful organisation – in fact, ANY organisation – not everyone will see eye to eye. But whether it’s the pursuit of silverware and trophies, or promotion and pay-rises, human beings have long ago realised the best teams / workforces are ones that pull in the same direction.

However true or accurate their accounts actually are, they only serve to cheapen and tarnish the all-conquering sides they were both integral to. Sports men and women involved in elite sport are incredibly driven souls and the pursuit of success requires that few prisoners be taken and that quarters are not often given, but it shouldn’t mean we then attack and even humiliate those who’ve sweated blood to help us achieve success. Because then we are effectively saying it’s okay to use, manipulate and exploit anyone as long as they help us achieve our goals. A scary prospect if we all applied that kind of thinking.

Should Andy Murray have said ‘No’ to tweeting about the Scottish Referendum?

After receiving criticism and no shortage of Twitter abuse, Great Britain‘s Andy Murray this week apologised for tweeting his support for Alex Salmond’s now defeated ‘Yes’ campaign ahead of the Scottish Referendum vote, specifically the ‘way it was worded’ where he openly criticised the successful Better Together campaign.

But after the almost inevitable fallout driven largely by the British sporting public and media south of the border who feel betrayed after years supporting Murray at Wimbledon, during Davis Cup matches and at two Olympics, should he have got involved in the first place?

The quick-fire would be no as surely Murray, with a history of being quoted (or misquoted) making anti-English remarks and now a resident of leafy Walton-on-Thames, didn’t want to risk alienating and losing the support of the British sporting public. Hard won support after initially being caricatured as a screaming, on court tantrum queen and previous auld enemy baiting episodes, which include joking about wearing the shirt of England opponents Paraguay during the 2006 World Cup and claiming he would always support ‘anyone but England’ at the same tournament.

But as a passionate Scot – a survivor of the horrific Dunblane disaster no less – Murray is well entitled to an opinion about the future of the country of his birth. But with emotions and tensions running high on both sides of the border as voting D-Day approached, Murray was ill-advised to keep quiet for so long, only to tweet his support and take an open swipe at the ‘No’ campaign on the morning of the vote. Combining my day job working in PR and being a sports fan, I know what I would have advised him.

Which begs the question, did Murray take it upon himself to tweet, was he cajoled into doing so as a last-ditch attempt to sway voters or was his the joker card the ‘Yes’ campaign always planned to play on the morning of the vote? However it came about, Murray has surely learnt a valuable lesson about the potential toxic combination of sporting celebrities, politics and social media and will in future likely follow the more world-wise lead of Sir Chris Hoy (and the Queen) in staying diplomatically neutral.

What will a ‘Yes’ vote mean for British sport?

No, seriously. This is a legitimate question which has seemingly been forgotten and almost avoided amongst all the rhetoric about what a ‘Yes’ vote would mean for the pound, UK passports, border controls, military infrastructure, EU membership and bla, bla, bla bla Zzzzzzz….

(Bad) jokes aside, whilst not being sufficiently well informed enough about the implications of tomorrow’s referendum vote to offer a meaningful opinion on the political and social permutations, there would be a tinge of sadness if Scotland was to break free from the United Kingdom. Especially as a sports addict who has enjoyed – and on a few occasions had to endure – many memorable performances from Scottish sportsmen and sportswomen. Many of those on the BBC, though let’s not get started on that…

Putting the bleeding obvious Mr. Andrew Murray to one side – potentially destined to be called ‘Scotland’s Andy Murray’ in victory AND defeat from now on – in the event of a victory for the ‘Yes’ campaign, what will the British & Irish Lions rugby team call themselves? Will legendary, history-laden golf courses such as St. Andrews, Muirfield and Carnoustie still be permitted to host The Open championship? How would separate Olympic GB and Scotland teams cope without one another? And does this mean that ‘Andy’ could never again win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award?

Imagine for a second a British sporting history that didn’t include the achievements of Alan Wells, David Wilkie, Gavin Hastings, Sir Chris Hoy, Liz McColgan, Sam Torrance, Sir Ian McGeechan, Stephen Hendry or Duncan Ferguson. OK, maybe not the last one. It would certainly be much the poorer and only time will tell if a victory for Team Salmond will see the British sporting public continuing to watch, enjoy and celebrate Scottish sporting heroes in the same way they did before.

Quite possibly, maybe sport can be one of the few things that unifies the countries on this small island. Let’s just see what Friday morning brings.

Kell Brook’s boxing ambition must exceed chasing cross-Pennine bragging rights over Amir Khan

No sooner had Sheffield’s Kell Brook won boxing’s IBF welterweight world title from America’s hard-hitting Shawn Porter earlier this month, thoughts were already turning to a prospective all-British grudge match with long-time verbal jousting partner, one Amir Khan. A mouth-watering prospect for UK fights fans that would pit Brook’s undoubted skill against Khan’s box office combination of dazzling hand-speed, but questionable punch-resistance. Their long-running feud and taunts about who is the better boxer simply adding ice to the proverbial.

But before the lavishly gifted Brook potentially risks his hard-earned world title – a belt arguably well overdue at the age of 28 after suffering with injuries, fitness and motivation – against the quicksilver Khan, I hope he realises his full potential lies beyond beating Bolton’s finest.

Khan’s Olympic silver medal, media profile and early capture of world titles means he’s a British household name and notable scalp, but the realisation of Khan’s frailties with each defeat and the gradual ascent of Brook, means the latter has finally stepped out of the former’s shadow and can really now establish himself in what is undoubtedly boxing’s most talented and lucrative division. The other welterweight world champions are modern greats Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio, whilst a supporting cast of Adrien Boner, Marcus Maidana, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander – all multi-weight world champions in their own right – mean there are no shortage of meaningful and money-spinning big fights for Brook to choose from.

Unless Khan shocks the world and manages to beat (and even fight) Floyd Mayweather, a victory over him would be relegated to a mere domestic skirmish, when Brook should be setting his sights on conquering the world. Something he has the opportunity, and quite possibly the ability, to do. Froch v Groves demonstrated all-British ‘super’ fights get bums on seats and those bouts undoubtedly moistened Brook’s appetite for a showdown with Khan that is seemingly inevitable. I just hope cross-Pennine bragging rights aren’t the limit of Brook’s ambition.

Double points for final race is big minus for F1

The absurd decision to award double points for Formula 1’s final race from next season is a desperate attempt to help other teams keep pace with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who has dominated F1 for the last four years. Nothing else.

Justified by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as an exciting innovation to keep the F1 title alive until the final race of the season in the face of the German’s four-year domination, it will instead devalue and cheapen the championship, all the preceding races – where an inferior team and driver could potentially win the championship – and the sport as a whole.

The equivalent would be to give Premiership football teams six points for the final game of the season, which would of course make a mockery of the previous 37 fixtures.

A championship or league is designed to test participants over a series of contests where they are awarded equal points at each. Apart from the obvious pitfalls and issues, the season’s last race might suit the style and dynamics of some teams and drivers more than others, instantly creating a handicap.

After Michael Schumacher’s ruthless domination strangled F1, Bernie Ecclestone is clearly concerned about losing viewers turned off by Sebastain Vettel’s brilliance after he was senselessly booed after winning several races this season, but he is just trivialising one of the world’s marque sports.

Toby Flood would be mad to swap Leicester for France ahead of a home World Cup

News of the seemingly inevitable departure of Leicester and England fly-half, Toby Flood, from Welford Road for pastures new come next season was the early Christmas present Tigers supremo Richard Cockerill didn’t want to find in his stocking. Despite Cockerill admitting last week that Flood – via a phone call – has confessed he wants a new challenge, Flood maintains he’ll decide his future in January, though the smart money is still on a move to one of the Gaelic heavyweights of Toulouse, Toulon or Clermont Auvergne.

Flood’s exit from the English club game – if and when confirmed – would admittedly leave Cockerill with the headache of replacing his captain, one of Europe’s best fly-halves over the last five years and a 60 cap international in the prime of his career. Though history shows the departures of even Rory Underwood, Martin Johnson, Neil Back, Lewis Moody, Austin Healy and Martin Corry haven’t stopped the Leicester trophy machine from rumbling on. The greater worry is arguably for England coach Stuart Lancaster, at the prospect of losing a seasoned, senior player and a proven creative spark because of the RFU’s firm stance of not selecting anyone playing outside England.

A policy I fully support, guaranteeing eligible English-based players are fully available for all England international training days, matches and official IRB windows, it’s emergence has had the desired effect where the vast majority of elite-level English players ply their trade on these shores, despite the Euro-millions on offer across the channel. But for a senior England player like Flood, in their prime at 28, to possibly put himself into international exile only two-years out from a home World Cup is a slight concern and Lancaster will hope it’s simply an anomaly and not a sign of an exodus the Welsh club game is currently suffering from.

But why would Flood even consider a move abroad with RWC 2015 on the horizon? It surely can’t because of limited international opportunities as he’s still a central figure in Lancaster’s squad, involved in nearly all games and it’s only in the last 12 months Farrell has moved slightly ahead in the fly-half pecking order. A long-term injury or loss of form from Farrell would see the 10 jersey nailed on Flood’s back. The decision would be stranger still as by waiting 12 months, such a move would have no affect on his World Cup chances as the 2015/2016 club season will in effect only start after the tournament for any players involved in the global showpiece because of the usual friendlies and training camps beforehand.

Without knowing Flood’s final decision or destination for next year we can only speculate on his motives, which could be a perceived lack of confidence from Lancaster and acceptance he’s now no.2 behind Farrell, a bumper pay-day in France or a combination of the two. But at the cost of playing in a World Cup on home soil in an ever-improving team, if he does choose the fabled ‘lifestyle’ in France, it would leave me scratching my head.

When is the right team to swan off into the distance?

Graeme Swann’s controversial decision to retire from representing England in all forms of cricket in the midst of the current disappointing Ashes tour – brave or selfish depending on your point of view – begs the question…when is a good time for elite-level sports men and women to retire? And if playing a team game where the decision is likely to come from above, should you jump or wait to be pushed?

In Swann’s case, this was apparently not a snap decision triggered by his poor performances (the worst since establishing himself in the side six years ago) or the unassailable 3-0 deficit England’s cricketers currently face in the Ashes. But a well-thought out one, born from creaking body and mind. Premature or not, whilst his exploits have helped propel England to the summit of the game, abandoning ship once the hope of treasure has gone – mid-series – does add substance to anyone calling him a deserter. Put another way, would Swann have done the same if he were playing equally as badly and England were 3-0 to the good? The feeling amongst some is that he jumped before he was pushed.

Another scenario is the battle-weary, iconic, feted hero in the winter of their career, who like an over-the-hill boxer is the last to know that time is up but has nobody prepared to tell them. For this condition, read Irish rugby union great and living legend, Brian O’Driscoll, who despite evidence highlighted during the recent Lions tour, should probably be hanging up his international gum shield and boots. But great sportsmen are driven souls, usually driven by big egos, who like punch drunk boxers, will only leave the arena on a stretcher. In the case of BOD, it’s an analogy I hope doesn’t come to pass.

India’s ‘Little Master’ Sachin Tendulkar is that rare breed afforded the luxury to retire on their terms at the top of the pile, without the fear of the axe, accusations of a premature departure or of belatedly falling on their sword. When the flames from the fire burn no more, every stoned has been unturned and there are no mountains left to climb. Whilst having the wisdom to recognise waning abilities and vocal chords of the Fat Lady. Ala a certain Lennox Lewis.

In short, it seems picking the ideal time to retire is quite emotive, depending on several factors such as current ability, age and the quality of your opponents / successors etc. However, when you’re a senior player within an almost all conquering team, facing troubling results for first time, many people would say you should bite the bullet and see the job through to the end.

So Graeme Swann, amongst some British sporting and cricket fans, may never be forgiven.

Ten ‘alternative’ Jose Mourinho Christmas sound bites

Jose Mourinho’s post-match taunt that Arsenal players ‘like to cry’ after the Gunners and their manager vented their irritation with Chelsea’s tough tackling during Monday’s drab 0-0 draw got me thinking about ten ‘alternative’ festive or New Year’s statements you’re unlikely to hear from ‘The Happy One’ this Christmas*.

* Please note the below statements are all fictional and at no time is any claim being made they were uttered by Jose Mourinho or his staff (though I’d pay very good money to hear him say ANY of them).

Merry Christmas everyone!

1. I’m essentially a defensive minded coach whose success is routed in stopping other teams from playing. Win by taking risks? I’m the Floyd Mayweather of football m*therf*cker! I’m still learning how best to deploy attacking players, Ronaldo pretty much carried Real Madrid during my time there. And yet I still couldn’t win the European Cup. Not so special after all eh?

2. I send Rafa Benitez a Christmas card every year. Easter too, if I have time to get round to it. What a guy.

3. John Terry is a player with little shame, in all likelihood a racist, though if he helps win me football matches he is still a ‘champion’ in my eyes. What did he say to Anton Ferdinand again?

4. Of course I wanted to be Manchester United manager – who the f*ck is David Moyes anyway? The timing was perfect but I suppose I’m too controversial and never stay anywhere long enough to finish a big ‘project’. And even I couldn’t keep Anderson in my squad.

5. There’s nothing wrong with constantly reverting to players you trust and have managed before. You know the saying, age is just a number always more important than goals per season. That’s why Eto instead of Lukaku was a no brainer. Duh!

6. Hiding in a laundry bin? That’s rubbish! I mean, it was a rubbish bin and of course I was hiding in there. Take that Platini!

7. Sir Alex Ferguson is an infinitely better manager than me. I was rolling in money during my first spell at Chelsea and at Real Madrid and guess what…never took a team to a Champions League final. #winning!

8. Arsene Wenger is really my half-brother, we’re just siblings squabbling really. It’s ‘cos I got the looks at birth, hence why he’s always been determined to play more attractive football than me.

9. I fucking love sliding on my knees when my team scores. If only I could do a proper Klinsmann. Groundsmen never water the touchlines enough. Bastards.

10. ‘Special’ is a strong word, I did okay at Porto. And Madrid. Fair is fair, Rafa winning the Champions League with that Liverpool team of nobodies was way more special. I sent him an extra Christmas card for that, though The Drog will always be my Christmas number one.

After Tom Daley, true progess will be when news of gay athletes doesn’t make waves

In the same year that the UK government passed a landmark bill legalising same-sex marriage, this progress was mirrored by Olympic diving medalist Tom Daley taking the brave decision to reveal that he’s bisexual and currently in a relationship with a man.

Rumours and gossip about his sexuality had been circulating for some time – he denied being gay as recently as September this year – and whilst coming out was a surprise to some of his family, it was in truth something many commentators had suspected so was hardly ground breaking.

The real surprise, and a much welcome one, was the sight of a young man and celebrated British sports star who is already the subject of significant media attention and no stranger to uncomplimentary headlines, feeling comfortable enough to reveal he also likes guys; in spite of the inevitable tongue wagging.

By ‘controlling’ the announcement via a YouTube video he instantly removed the power of the tabloid / gossip column rumour mill and possibly weeks, months or even years of denials. He’s also now a shining example of why LGBT sports men and women – or from any walk of life – shouldn’t have to conceal or be fearful about revealing their sexuality. Living in an increasingly open-minded society has certainly helped, unlike Russia for example.

However, the true barometer of progess will be when a British sporting star or celebrity, or any nationality for that matter, reveals that he or she is gay or bi-sexual and it DOESN’T make headline news. Or better still, society doesn’t dictate they need to make any kind of confession or release a statement, as ultimately they shouldn’t have to.