Programme Notes 2008/9
London Irish (EDF)
I admit to being in uncharted waters. I’m used to turning up to matches with a feeling of hope for the best, but expect the worst, particularly in the “Heinequin” Cup. Call it a defence mechanism. In fact, last year I had opportunity to speak to Paul Volley on the Eurostar over to Paris and, after a few complimentary wines, explained that we were going to have a great weekend, but that we didn’t expect to win. Hell no. That would be just plain silly. Talk about a pre-match pep talk! What concerned me before the Ulster match last week, however, was that I felt confident and I wasn’t disappointed, with both the result and display surpassing my expectations. The rugby world appears to have been knocked of its axis. I’m even reading the papers on a Saturday morning and there’s the statement at the end of the preview …. “Quins win”! It feels strangely different, but do you know what, I quite like it.
The Coaches’ decisions to field what some commentators described as a 2nd team, or what I prefer to think of as an experimental side, against Ospreys in the first EDF round, confirmed to me that Quins truly are the Arsenal of rugby union. The comparisons don’t just start and end with our willingness to treat minor competitions as an opportunity for younger players to test themselves, but also for the fact that the young squad is playing a brand of free-flowing rugby that is catching sides by surprise. The only difference is that our youngsters are English and Arsenal’s most definitely aren’t!! Thinking about it, it could have been disastrous had Deano modelled his side on Mark Evans and JK’s footy teams, Tottenham and Newcastle, respectively!! Heaven forbid!
But a more serious point is; the EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup, why? Those who prepare the fixtures for the Guinness Premiership treat it with contempt, and most English teams, and their supporters, can’t really be bothered either. Although we clearly gained much by our team selection, demonstrating fantastic strength in depth in the squad, this was forced upon us by having to play a proper fixture only three days before. It’s the sort of competition that could only be thought of by New Labour, with the advantage of both destroying the traditions of the premier national knockout competition and replacing it with a valueless political excuse to raise income for the Welsh regions. Please can we have our National Cup back again, with the commercial and playing opportunities focussed on clubs in the lower English divisions who need the finance and profile?
At the time of writing this, we have no knowledge of the Quins’ team selection, however, it will be very interesting to see whether we continue to use this competition as an opportunity to give our Academy players a chance to put pressure on the senior players. Personally, I think we should.
Just a quick reminder; I was at the Quinssa area in the Etihad Stand last week and tickets (only £55) for the Quinssa 6 Nations Dinner on 10th February, were flying off the table. If I were you I’d get over there quickly.
Cliff Funnell
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