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Rise up, clansmen

Last summer I went to Culloden, which is near Inverness. There is a brilliant museum, exhibition and live act bringing the whole history of the famous battle to life. To wander the battlefield itself, and to take in signposts telling you where each of the clans stood to begin their charge (and where so many were massacred by the guns of the Royal Artillery before they even joined battle) was wonderfully evocative. Butcher Cumberland's triumph over Bonnie (and hopeless) Prince Charlie and the Scots, in what one historian described as a "welter of carnage" marks the day, they say, when the powers of the clans ceased for ever.

There is still the occasional stirring, however, even though the somewhat genteel atmosphere of Scottish rugby seems to be at odds with the kilted ferocity of their rampaging forefathers. Scottish rugby has been quiet for a long time, somewhat apologetic and doom-laden and too often showing minimal resistance on and off the field.

It is usually the arrival of England that stirs Scottish rugby and brings out some of the old beast in them - makes them bloody-minded to play against, gives Flower of Scotland an edge of passion, and which causes followers to rant and rave in columns and websites and in bars at the notion of English superiority and the English media writing them off.

It is always even more of a goad when England come cocky - and big favourites - as they will do a week on Saturday. Suddenly, when the old enmities revive, we are transported, not as far back as Culloden - although that allows us to understand a little of the deeper motivation - but as far back as when Murrayfield was a fortress, a horrible place to come.

When it happens, the whole Six Nations gains in power. What is it going to be this time, Scotland? The easy subsidence? Or the glorious, bloody-minded charge?

Sensation! Rugby in deep crisis!

Here are some of the main elements of an official International Rugby Board press release which appeared last week:

*Rugby World Cup 2007 was the most successful Rugby World Cup tournament in its 20-year history. The tournament smashed all previous attendance, broadcast and economic impact figures.

*The tournament attendance shattered the previous record set in Australia in 2003. Over 2 million attended a Rugby World Cup for the first time with the total attendance reaching 2.25 million. This represents an average match attendance of 47,000 across the 48 tournament matches in France, Scotland and Wales, with a 97% attendance rate across the 42 matches held in France.

"Rugby World Cup was the biggest sporting event to be staged last year. The rugby was of exceptional standard, generating fascinating matches both in the pool stages and the knock-out rounds. Off the field the tournament captured the hearts and minds of the French public and the wider global rugby community," said IRB chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

*Mirroring the massive demand for public ticket sales, the tournament's travel and hospitality programme exceeded 100,000 sales. This is more than the 1999 and 2003 tournaments combined, highlighting the tremendous success of the commercial corporate hospitality and international travel programme.

*Backing up the record attendance figures was massive interest from international broadcasters. In total 119 international broadcasters televised the action across 202 TV territories with a potential cumulative reach of over 4.2 billion (up 800 million on RWC 2003). Live coverage also increased dramatically on 2003 levels from 5,500 hours to over 8,500 broadcast hours.

*Television coverage doubled in Spain, Italy, Portugal and across Asia, while enhanced levels of coverage were also gained in the emerging rugby markets of Russia, India, Canada and the USA.

That's enough statistics. Here is the big question. Here is the point. Can someone please tell me why we are trailing extensive, controversial, misguided and speculative new laws designed (so they say) to improve the appeal of the game? Answers to the IRB.

It's a small "World"

This week brings the "World" Club Challenge in rugby league. Don't laugh. They had to call it that. Well, the grand title "Small Bit of England v Small Bit of Australia Challenge" has no ring to it for the marketeers. It wasn't a great week for the wriggling code. It was no fun whatsoever watching the desperate struggles of Lesley Vainikolo in Paris. There is the thought that his recent bereavements may well have sapped his morale and concentration, so full marks to him for at least fronting up. And a pound, please, for every time I have been asked: "What has Josh Lewsey done to Ashton?"

But does this mark the final frontier, the very last cross-coder? Union has been burned too many times. Jason Robinson was a freak, a total one-off. Otherwise, rugby league players, one by one, famous or not, to a man, have failed. Often miserably. They have not been good enough to play union. Period. Some were only average, some humiliatingly bad, some brought lurid disciplinary problems.

Some even had the brass neck to pretend that they had done brilliantly but decided to go back to league. Most were quite staggeringly slow, which is amazing but true. Few could hack the extra demands of the game itself and the longer union season.

If your club is about to go to "league" for a player, issue the following warning: Chev Walker, Wendell Sailor, Andy Farrell, Matt Rogers, Brad Thorn, Gareth Raynor, Iestyn Harris, Gary Connolly, Karl Pryce, Lote Tuqiri, Henry Paul, Robbie Paul, Barrie-Jon Mather, Richie Eyres, Karl Pryce, Brian Carney, Nathan Blacklock. And goodnight.

What do you think? E-mail Stephen at rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk with your opinion and he'll reply to the best of the letters next week. Just remember to enter through the gate - don't stray offside

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>>>>>LIST OF THE WEEK<<<<<

In a new feature for The Rolling Maul beginning today, I produce my personal choices of the top of the rugby pops. This week, my top five referees of all time:

1. Wayne Barnes

Full of courage and brilliant refereeing in finally putting a stop to Richie McCaw's personal and premature trialling of the experimental law that the ball can be played with the hand in the tackle. Missed a forward pass in the New Zealand try in the World Cup quarter-final.

2. Paddy O'Brien

He rewrote the whole history of elite refereeing in New Zealand. In fact, he IS the whole history of elite refereeing in New Zealand.

3. Gwyn Walters

Was he dapper, or what? Charming bloke in a blazer from the 1960s. He didn't send you off, he asked if you'd mind leaving, old chap.

4. Dave McHugh

Brilliant Irishman who bothered to speak French to Frenchmen, rather than shouting at them in louder English.

5. The home coach who refereed Bromley U15s v Maidenhead U15s a few years ago

Bromley trailed by one score at the end of normal time. It was meant to be 30 minutes each way. The match went on. And on. And on. The half approached the hour mark when he had to blow up because night was falling and the groundsman wanted to lock up.

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The Stephen Jones Debate

I always read with great interest your ding-dong battles with Stuart Barnes and note how polarised you have both become on the issue of "winning v performance" since you first started debating it a couple of years ago. I would venture that the truth lies somewhere in between. In England's current position winning should be the absolute priority - it constitutes both achievement and progress. Against teams of a similar standard (Wales, Ireland, France, Australia), winning should take precedence over all else. At present, an encouraging England performance in a ten point defeat against a very strong All Blacks side would be more pleasing than creaking to a four point victory over Italy. England must progress to the stage where they have the armoury to beat anyone on any day, they must develop several ways of playing and winning. England's huge forward platform blew away the French, but at some point further dimensions must be grafted on top of this to defeat teams with competitive packs like New Zealand and South Africa. To achieve this, England are going to have to ease the likes of Geraghty, Simpson-Daniel, Cipriani and Tait into the team at some stage, not en masse, but gradually alongside the experienced players who have established the winning habit.

Also, I am not sure I agree with your comments on kickers lacking the accuracy and distance of old. Poor kicks are simply being punished more effectively and this has much to do with the advent of the back three being utilised as a unit. In the past, the wingers were attacking weapons and, with a few notable exceptions, the first job of a full back was seen as defensive. They now work as a team of three going back and forward, with "auxiliary full back" a crucial part of a winger's job description. In the past the full back would be obliged to cover the entire area behind the defensive line on his own, leaving acres of space for kickers to aim for. Nowadays, teams trust their inside defence to the extent that they can afford to drop at least one more man back to help out the full back. Not only that but full backs and wingers stand very deep so it is extremely hard to put the ball behind them. This vastly reduces the options of the kicker who knows that any inaccuracy will be punished. Players such as Chris Latham, Butch James and Ronan O'Gara have a far greater range of different kicks in their armoury than their predecessors and I don't recall seeing many people hit the ball as far as Andy Goode. Stuart (Wimbledon)

SJ: Stuart, don't you get tired of being right all the time? It's getting boring. I have to say that I agree with much of your excellent post - though I still think that winning in a terrible match by a lucky drop-kick is better for everyone. How much better do we feel about the England team this week after a very decent, if unspectacular performance but a brilliant win! I agree about the need for an all-round armoury but you can only start developing these other weapons and toying with the way you play with the confidence of winning. Yes, not every pack will be blown away by England but until they meet a team that is not blown away, then keep blasting. Regarding kicking, of course you are correct. The defence against kicking and the counter-attacks is much better and it is interesting that you single out Andy Goode. Love him or hate him, he can't half hoof it. Many thanks for writing.

Winning is not everything - you can ask New Zealand that! Winning is important but you must also build for the future and ensure the expansion of the game. England's biggest weapon is its player base that we have never fully exploited adequately. This year we have more talent than we have ever had, not only among the senior squad but at all age levels. With all the academies churning out players and the planned RFU academies this looks set to continue. The biggest issue that England face is the structure of the system and utilising the talent coming through. I would like to see England going to play in what would be the quad nations or add Fiji and Samoa and have a southern hemisphere Six Nations. England A and Argentina take the place of Italy and England with a junior tier competition for the likes of Italy, Romania etc. Perhaps a full European cup? One last issue is the standard and vision of coaching in England, which is dire. To have players in a full squad that cannot kick for touch accurately, cannot spot overlaps and cannot execute 3 on 2 or 2 on 1 situations is criminal. Play the basics at speed and then let the natural flair of players finish it off. We are in danger of being like footballers who earn millions but cannot kick with both feet. Tyrone Matthews

SJ: Phew. Radical stuff Tyrone. Sorry for harping on but the confidence of winning, the momentum of winning, allows you to change things. Nobody ever has the guts to expand their game after a few defeats. Rivals of England might suggest that they are not qualified at present to dictate global changes in the structure!

So is Michael Lipman still an "average" player? 21 tackles, which was 11 more than the next player and numerous carries that got over the gain line surely prove he has what it takes to make a mark at international level. Anonymous

SJ: Dear Mr No Name. Lipman had easily the best game of his career in Paris.

If England had triumphed at Murrayfield in 1990 they would have not only won the grand slam but the Webb Ellis trophy at Twickenham one year later. Their coach decided to alter tactics that had swept all before them in the previous matches with a style and elan that you would never associate with the red rose of the past decade. Defeat breeds fear and pressure which are conditions hardly conducive for free flowing, progressive rugby. Cooke tried to make sure this kind of debacle never happened again and destroyed the very side he had created. Victory is the only benchmark by which one can judge a team because it is only the victors that are remembered by the supporters and pundits many years after the event. An example would be the Scotland team of 1986 that won three games and lost to the boot of Thorburn in Cardiff after playing better rugby than the team that won the grand slam two years earlier. The Jim Aitken side of 1984 is fondly remembered whereas the Hastings inspired '86 vintage is largely forgotten. Win ugly, win flamboyantly but just win. Sheila Westwood

SJ: Sheila, it is easy to pose "what-ifs" but your what-if is fascinating and I have always felt the same. That England team in 1990 played three brilliant games before the Grand Slam but that defeat at Murrayfield sounded the retreat. They went so far back into their shells they never really emerged again. Really interesting.

Vainikolo is not getting enough ball, pure and simple. Winning is all that matters and France showed amazing naivety trying to run everything from their own 22. Steve Upshon

SJ: They did indeed, Steve. I am afraid it was Cloud Cuckoo Land stuff. Vainikolo is not getting enough ball? Well, has someone passed a law that he cannot go looking for it?

I have a solution: I'm 16-years-old and live in England with an Irish passport - I shall step up to the plate and play half for Ireland if given the opportunity through academy and under-21 teams. I shall make myself known to Eddie O'Sullivan as a replacement, whether it be permanent or temporary. I do play fly half at least once a week. Oh, and if Keith Wood is around soon please tell him he was the man who inspired me to take on this amazing sport. Ben O'Rourke

SJ: Ben, do not joke. If you are 16 and play once a week, I think in Ireland at present that puts you No 2 to Ronan. Are you OK for the next Ireland A game? I can see the basis of the Wood reference. I cannot off hand recall many more inspiring sights on the field than Keith in full charge.

It's very easy to castigate the Celtic unions for their approach from the comfort of an English armchair. The current situation isn't perfect, but it's realistically the best option that is available. In professional sport it's money that counts and most of this comes from TV companies looking to sell advertising time on their channels. The fact that Scotland, Wales and Ireland put together have a population about the same as London means it is impossible for the Celtic countries to attract the money that the English and French clubs can from TV. Can't you see this? Privately run rugby clubs are just not viable in Scotland given the lack of TV money here, unless a British league is formed which allows them to share in the funds available in England. But how likely are the English clubs to agree to this? Not very. In the mean time, the only option is for the union to run the clubs here. So rather than crowing about how much better everything is in England and France, I look forward to reading your serious suggestions as to how things could be improved. Ian Bruce, Pathhead, Midlothian

SJ: Ian, nobody begged the Scots to set up their structure. They made shocking early errors in the first days of professionalism, they forgot that teams need a sense of belonging (and they teamed up Edinburgh with the Borders - how crass was that?), and teams controlled from the crumbling centre have no appeal. Nobody is saying that they had a potential Leicester or Toulouse on their hands, but they should be ten years on from the mess they are in. By the way, we don't have armchairs.

The Celtic nations will always struggle against England and France. The occasional successes are welcome when they occur, but reflect more on good fortune that an exceptional group of players that are active at the same time rather than a triumph of club structure. Both England and France have a huge player base and by rights the Celtic nations should almost never triumph over them. The English and French unions could simply pull names out of a hat and still produce reasonable quality teams. The current provincial structure in Ireland has proved remarkably successful since the advent of professionalism. It is disingenuous of Stephen Jones to suggest that the introduction of the English/French club system would somehow solve the Celtic nations' shortage of top players. Michael O'Brien, Dublin, Ireland

SJ: Michael, I didn't suggest that, I just pointed out that four, three or even two teams does not give you nearly enough of a development platform. The Irish structure is producing good crowds, reasonable success in the Heineken Cup, but no new crop of Test stars.

Many years ago I was discussing the England 1966 World Cup team with a friend who is a professional footballer. I said that I didn't understand why Nobby Stiles was a member of the team: funny little fellow, took out his false teeth, took off his spectacles, put on the shirt and ran onto the pitch. My friend laughed and said that showed how little I knew. He is there, he said, because he could always read the game, was always in the right place and always could be relied to cover you. As a consequence he inspired confidence in the rest of the team and took pressure off them so that they played better. That's how I see Jonny Wilkinson - not the fastest, most exciting, or greatest out-of-hand kicker perhaps. But as a team member? Top drawer. Colin Grayson, Paris.

SJ: Fair point, Colin. It cannot be denied that England like having him around and that he inspires confidence. Whether or not he inspires a back division is, to me, another matter.

Mr Jones you are consistent I will give you that. I read your column and invariably laugh out loud at your jaundiced view of the world and particularly your slighted views of all things Irish. You really seem to dislike us. I can remember reading your article in Cardiff the morning after Munster won the European Cup, your language was so begrudging and you attempted to defend the indefensible that the Biarritz try was not in touch. We were European Champions with 60,000 fans in the stadium supporting a team mostly made up of local lads from Munster and you hated it. How many teams in Europe can claim either local make-up and command such support? Is it not blindingly obvious that Ireland is a small nation, our national sport is Gaelic Games, then football and then rugby. Of course Ireland will struggle to supply a production line of talent, we always will. The secret to our limited success is that we punch above our weight and maybe it's that that really gets you. Jarlath, Sligo, Ireland

SJ: If one Grand Slam in 120 years is punching above your weight then you can't weigh very much.

We have a ready made replacement for O'Gara in Niall O'Connor of Ulster who is playing brilliantly and got man of the match against the Dragons last weekend. He is only 21, an excellent kicker and offers more of an attacking threat than O'Gara. I take the point, though, that the Celtic countries need more of our players to play abroad and give young players coming through a chance. Robert Behan, Kildare, Ireland

SJ: Robert, I ran the name past a doyen of Irish rugby and he confirms your high opinion of Niall O'Connor. I will be setting the video for his next Ulster match.

If you are supporting more Welsh, Irish and Scottish players coming to the Guinness Premiership, to go along with all those South Africans, Kiwis, Aussies, Islanders, French and Argentinians - even a Spaniard in the Sale team - then this can only create the same problem for England as you discuss for Scotland, Ireland and Wales. And since the RFU is so disfunctional and continues to create the unprecedented set of fixtures in 2008 that it has for a developing England team, then we need a bigger base and squad than ever. What do you think about the unbelievable fixture list for 2008? And how does this sit for a coach on a one-year contract that coincides with that fixture list? What sort of performance objectives and measurements has Ashton been given by Mr Andrew do you think? When I say that the RFU is disfunctional it is precisely because of the disconnection between their resource management and the workload that they have created for players and coaches. Then again, Andrew doesn't seem to front up on what he expects from England or Ashton in 2008, preferring to pop up after individual victories and spout platitudes. I think he deserves to be challenged, as do the RFU, on the 2008 scenario and longer term planning. Their approach to the England game needs to demonstrate perspective, continuity and vision - can't see that at the moment. Spainandy

SJ: Very good point but the severity of the fixture lists, the repetition, the focus on the very top nations at the expense of the developing teams, is a scenario with which we are all grimly familiar, Andy. Some of us gave up on this issue years ago when we were blue in the face. And yes, it would be nice for a touch of radicalism from Rob Andrew. Are you suggesting that Rob only pops up at winning press conferences? Perish the thought.

I enjoy reading both your and Stuart's articles, and think you both give huge, albeit often very varied, insight into the game. However, I have to say I disagree totally with your opinion of Toby Flood as England's No12. You always go to great lengths to say how much you like the Falcons and yet then criticise their backline. Which bit do you like then? The flaky front 5 (ignoring Carl Hayman)? Or just Phil Dowson? I, a humble armchair pundit, think Toby Flood has been excellent this season, proving himself heroic in defence, and a slippery and surprisingly powerful runner with a knack of running great support lines. And above all an excellent foil for Jonny Wilkinson. Would your criticisms not be better reserved for the mercurial pack, who have decided the nature of England performances over the past couple of years by whether they are in the mood to clear-out or not? Surely too many people have been harshly criticising this set of backs, bearing in mind that 'quick ball' has been in short supply both for the Falcons and when they have put on their England shirts? Stuart Barnes can talk about the need to stand flat for as long as he wants, but you both are aware of the folly of trying to force the game when you have slow ball, and yet you still focus on the shortcomings of the England backs. Should we not be more worried if we were the Scots and had such a plethora of decent ball, and yet still couldn't do anything with it? And what would you think of picking Cipriani or Tait at fullback, if you are prepared to finally get down from your soap box and accept that Brian Ashton won't pick Josh Lewsey? Regardless of how much of a risk it may seem, surely they would fare better than Balshaw has done thus far? Regards, Tom, Birmingham.

SJ: Tom, I can't help it if Barnsie is wrong all the time. I accept your point that nobody is going anywhere with the ball unless the pack have done their proper job and I accept that Toby is now seen as the best 12 by a majority of people. But I still prefer Barkley, and I feel that with Mike Tindall absent, Flood struggles for physicality.

This area of the e-mail is reserved for your views and boos. E-mail Stephen at rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk and he'll either agree, disagree, add some insight or come back firing...

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31

Percentage of possession Italy had during their 47-8 defeat to Wales last weekend

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The week in 60 seconds

Thursday:

IBANEZ PLAYS ON FOR WASPS BUT LOOKS TO START COACHING CAREER

The world's most capped hooker has agreed to extend his playing contract for another season, but will also begin to develop his coaching skills.

Report by David Hands

BERGAMASCO'S BAN A POKE IN THE EYE FOR ITALY

Italy's miserable season deteriorated further when the flanker was banned for 13 weeks for "deliberately placing his finger" in Lee Byrne's right eye in the match against Wales.

Report by Mark Souster

FEAR BANISHED AS MOODY TACKLES HAIRY BEAST

Lewis Moody, who if previously confronted by a spider "shook and whimpered like a girl", has overcome his arachnophobia.

Report by Patrick Kidd

Wednesday:

ENGLAND'S FUTURE LOOKS TOO GOOD BY HALVES

There are a clutch of young contenders at No 9 knocking on Brian Ashton's door after Richard Wigglesworth's confident debut against France.

Report by David Hands

HASKELL SETS HIS SIGHTS ON MURRAYFIELD RETURN

The England back-row forward could play against Scotland after treatment on an ankle injury sustained in the Paris victory.

Report by David Hands

Tuesday:

MACLEOD OFF THE HOOK OVER USE OF ASTHMA DRUG

Scott MacLeod, the Scotland lock, escaped suspension despite failing an out-of-competition drugs test. A disciplinary panel accepted he had made an administrative error after using a different brand of inhaler from the one he had registered.

Report by Lewis Stuart

ARGENTINA PUT CASE TO TAKE WORLD CUP FARTHER AFIELD

Argentina, the cuckoo in rugby's comfortable international nest, will bid to host the 2015 World Cup. The other countries to bid will be England, South Africa and Japan.

Report by David Hands

WALES WARY OF O'GARA'S THREAT TO TRIPLE CROWN

Warren Gatland has singled out the threat of the Ireland fly half when Wales attempt to claim the Triple Crown at Croke Park a week on Saturday.

Report by Mark Souster

Monday:

WILKINSON: DINING OUT ON SUCCESS WITH RUGBY OFF THE MENU

"It's not that I don't care if the public think I'm rubblish, it's that I don't care what they think at all"

Column by Jonny Wilkinson

QUESTION MARKS REMAIN AGAINST BALSHAW AND REGAN

Brian Ashton must consider changing a winning team when England play Scotland at Murrayfield.

Report by David Hands

SHERIDAN'S 'NICE EVENING' HIGHLIGHTS NASTY PROBLEMS FOR FRANCE

The England prop further enhanced his reputation as both a world-feared scrummager and deadpan comedian after a superb display in Paris.

Report by Owen Slot

Sunday:

ENGLAND'S POWER SURGE HITS FRANCE

Match report by Stephen Jones

France 13, England 24

Player ratings

FRANCE'S SHORTCOMING'S EXPOSED IN LAST NIGHT'S CLASH OF CULTURES

Analysis by Stuart Barnes

NOON'S TIMELY TACKLE LAID FOUNDATIONS FOR VICTORY

Comment by Jeremy Guscott

ENGLAND PROVE THEY SHOULD STICK TO THEIR STRENGTHS UP FRONT

Analysis by Stephen Jones

THREE DOWN, TWO TO GO FOR WALES

Wales 47, Italy 8

Match report by Nick Cain

IRELAND GET BACK ON TRACK

Ireland 34, Scotland 13

Match report by Peter O'Reilly

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Things you need to know about rugby: No 4

THE SALARY CAP AMNESTY

Here's this week's choice rumour. The breaches of the salary cap by certain Guinness Premiership clubs are so numerous that Premier Rugby Limited is considering offering an amnesty to all rule-breakers, starting all over again with a clean slate. Great for the miscreants, not so good for the likes of Bath, who have lost key players because they stick to the cap.

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Suggestions, fan mail and complaints: rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Suggestions, fan mail and complaints: rollingmaul@thetimes.co.uk