An unlikely scrummer…
On first glance, you would probably never guess that I—dilettantish fashionista and cosmetics aficionado—used to play rugby. Admittedly, I never once desired to pick up the pigskin and engage in rough-and-tumble, but a high school dare-gone-wrong somehow resulted in playing at the Canadian national championships some years ago. And yet I still don’t know the rules.
Joke all you want about Canada’s struggle to play any sport without snow or ice; having lived in London for over eight years, I’m happy to claim British successes as my own. On the cusp of the RBS Six Nations Championship, it’s never been a better time to be an England supporter as our burly boys are the bookies’ favourite (at 15/8) to bring home the illustrious trophy.
English domination of the tournament is long overdue; having won the first two Six Nations back in the early 2000s, their record has since been wounded with tragic defeats at the hands of neighbouring nations. England has not won a championship, let alone a Grand Slam, in eight years and the entire country—rugby lovers, haters and all—will be cheering them on to a well-deserved victory.
London’s finest
London-born flanker Phil Dowson is set to turn heads in his international debut with top-class defending. Fellow back-row and London Wasps veteran Joe Worsley, touting 76 caps for England, will start on the bench, while Harlequins’ Nick Easter from Surrey will start against Wales as Number 8. Gigantic prop Andrew Sheridan from east London will prop up the scrum, while outhalf Toby Flood hails from Frimley, which is close enough to London that we’ll call him one of our own.
Fixtures in London
Kicking off on 4 February with the grudge match against Wales, England will face the four other competitors—Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy—over the coming month in roaring home stadiums across Europe. London’s Twickenham will play host to three nail-biting contests that are sure to draw in a fierce crowd of proud “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” singers.
12 February England vs Italy
With first-game jitters gone, England look set for an easy triumph against captain Sergio Parisse’s Italy, who, with just seven victories in 55 Six Nations games, are not looking like much of a challenge for Martin Johnson’s on-form side.
26 February England vs France
The most successful Six Nations team in history, second favourite-to-win and defending Grand Slam champions France will make this a match not to miss. England’s determination will be spurred by bloodlust from a heartbreaking defeat at the Stade du France last year.
13 March England vs Scotland
Having struggled to finish anywhere above 3rd in the last 10 years, Scotland are looking to make an impact at this year’s competition. Their unpredictable hit-and-miss form means it could either be an epic battle or runaway victory for England.
East Midlands Trains will get you there
With tickets for the Twickenham matches still on sale, there’s never been a better time to book a trip with East Midlands Trains to London to show your support for the English rose.
