Sir Clive Woodward, who left Southampton FC to start his own sports consultancy firm last week, soon turned his attention back to rugby when he heard All Blacks coach Graham Henry bleating about dangerous tackling. Henry was even supported by Helen Clark, New Zealand’s prime minister, who said Australia’s Lote Tuqiri (who has been banned until November 2 for a spear tackle) was guilty of assaulting All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw in a recent Tri-Nations match. ‘Many people will find Graham’s comments supremely ironic and maybe even a little distasteful,’ the former Lions coach said yesterday. ‘Richie McCaw was tackled illegally but at least he was carrying the ball and escaped injury. Brian O’Driscoll was nowhere near the ball when he was dumped on his shoulder and neck by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu in the first Test of the Lions tour in 2005. Tuqiri has also made a written public apology to McCaw. We raised the subject of the tackle on O’Driscoll several times, yet there was no apology or expression of concern from Graham Henry or his captain’
Rugby Wags
Undeterred by the England footballers wives’ and girlfriends’ unflattering shopping and drinking sprees during the football World Cup, now rugby Wags are signing up for a five-part television series. Sarra Elgan, wife of Ireland international and Llanelli Scarlets captain Simon Easterby, has agreed to appear on Rugby Wives, to be screened in Wales on S4C. So has Jo Popham, wife of Alix Popham, the Wales and Scarlets No 8. ‘We’re certain they can give the English football Wags a run for their money in the glamour stakes,’ says S4C
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Curly locks
Falcons fans had better watch out for a dodgy mullet when Newcastle second-row Andy Buist runs out for their televised match against Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens this afternoon. Buist’s excuse for his curly locks dates back to a bet he struck with engine-room partner Geoff Parling last Christmas: the first to visit the barber pays out. Word from the Geordie dressing room is that their teammates plan to pin them down and do the job themselves to save further embarrassment
Band of brothers
David Blaney, who was back-up to younger brother Brian at Leinster, has joined Bristol as cover for Mark Regan, the 34-year old former Lions and England hooker. Blaney’s elder brother, James, appeared as a replacement hooker for Frankie Sheahan during Munster’s Heineken Cup final defeat to Leicester in 2002
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Tour de Force
If Gloucester’s players thought their pre-season training schedule was tough, they had an easy ride compared to Dean Ryan, their boss at Kingsholm, who rode a stage of the Tour de France. ‘It was the hardest thing I’ve done,’ says Ryan, 40, after completing the 117-mile stage to the top of L’Alpe d’Huez in 10hr 59min
Fit club
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Phil Davies, back at Llanelli after 10 years at Leeds, has signed up one of England’s 2003 World Cup-winning team. Nutritionist Dr Adam Carey, who cashed in on his World Cup success by transforming overweight stars on the TV programme Celebrity Fat Club, will help the Scarlets players’ bid for fitness perfection
Reviving rivalries
Old cross-border rivalries could be renewed if a new Anglo-Welsh league between England’s 16 National One clubs and the 14 sides in the Principality Premiership can find a sponsor. ‘There’s a long way to go, but it’s an interesting idea,’ says Geoff Cooke, chief executive of National League One. The idea belongs to Steve Lewis, chief executive at the Welsh Rugby Union. ‘We hope we might have something in place for the season after this,’ he says
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England women chase semi-final spot
South Africa and France stand between England and a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Canada. The Six Nations champions, who are ranked second behind holders New Zealand to lift the trophy, beat USA 18-0 on Thursday. The female Springboks are next up for England, tomorrow, followed by France on Friday. France beat Ireland 43-0 in their opening game, while Scotland beat Spain 24-0