War of the Minds - the Six Nations

clipped from www.guardian.co.uk Six Nations: England seek escape from six years in the wilderness Why has the world's richest rugby nation not won the Six Nations since 2003? They are the richest union in world rugby, with the deepest pool of players, but England have lost 16 of their last 33 internationals at Twickenham. The inevitable break-up of a great old team was at the source of that dismal run. Yet complacency and a startling lack of vision, allied to the wrong choice of coaches and bitter conflict between the Rugby Football Union and the Premiership clubs, meant England finished no better than third in the four championships which followed 2003.

In a week when the British media is obsessed with the sexual antics of a kick ball player with a woman of fair looks and modern attitudes towards none-contraception, what is exciting is that, except for the 80 minutes of murderous contact, the peoples of Six Nations can sing, drink and chant together in universal adulation of their SPORT.
The individual genius of some solo performance is a part of the magic and hard grind of what could be a great season for one team. Whichever side that is, I pray that it is done with style and grace.