 | The scrumptious Lawrence
was looking very confident
of the imminent squad
announcement,
still seen partying at
2am...... |
Kia Ora my lovelies! [as they say down in the Pacific Islands] I do hope you're coping admirably with this depressing season of detox, diets, and breaking new year's resolutions. You must look at it this way, spring is fast approaching and hopefully it will bring an end to the doom and gloom of an horrifically miserable January.
To lift your spirits and bring some sunshine into your day, I bring you news of the first rugby bash of 2006. The Rugby Writers Annual Dinner was held at Cafe Royal in London on Monday. The great, the good and the positively incorrigible attended the sparkling gala evening, and the ultimate event of the season boasted guests not just from the home unions, but also a very respectable turn out from our enchanting neighbours from across the Channel. In attendance were the likes of heartthrob Jonny Wilkinson, cutey Mark Cueto, the formidable Andy Sheridan and our great leader, Andy Robinson, along with every rugby journalist known to man, and high ranking representatives from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 
www.actionplus.co.uk I can gleefully report that the night was a huge success, as the formalities were charged through at the speed of raging bulls to get onto the main purpose of the evening - copious amounts of alcohol. Welsh giant Gareth Thomas was awarded the Rugby Writer's Player of the Year trophy, but what was more noticeable was his excessively worrying taste in ties! And the French Heineken Cup champions, Toulouse took home a coaching gong. At 50, rugby's 70's Easy Rider, Andy Ripley was looking very sprightly and well. The legendary sportsman is known not just for his 24 England caps and being part of the 1974 Lions Tour to South Africa, but is also a master yachtsman, world indoor rowing champion, Cambridge graduate, and BBC World Superstars champion. He gave an insightful and moving speech, and we wish him the best in his fight against prostrate cancer.
And as for the rest of them, Paul Morgan, editor of Rugby World yet again managed to furnish his table with beautiful ladies - how does he do it?! The scrumptious Lawrence was looking very confident of the imminent squad announcement, still seen partying at 2am. And even the RFU and Premier Rugby managed to put aside their differences for the evening and shared in the festivities. And of course the party moved on to the usual haunt on Dover Street until the wee hours - I'm sure the hangovers were monumental the following morning!
Moving on to gossip, and it is rumoured that the South Africa team is angling to gain some insider knowledge of the England team before the World Cup next year by playing them twice in the Autumn Internationals [yes that would mean four games]. And in a very unusual move, they will not be staying in London, but at the Chateau de Montvillargenne in Chantilly, flying into London on the day of the match. Let's hope fog doesn't hinder a comfortable flight or two - and there probably won't be too much frollicking involved either.
Karen Earl Sponsorship won the Guinness account last year, and is currently interviewing for an account director to promote the brand to the rugby masses. So here's hoping that the new appointee is a generous soul, and sagacious enough to maybe implement a policy of free Guinness at all premiership matches?
Now, if you are planning on catching the early bird and booking your flights to follow your country through the Summer Tours, you may encounter a little problem. Unforutunately, despite the grandious presence of the home union websites, somehow they haven't quite managed to put up the schedules yet even though we're only six months away! It's only any good if you support France, and if you don't read French there's another complication.
And finally, the scoop of the year! I have it on very good authority that on May 19th, the day before the Heineken Cup Final, a spectacular sporting event, the Fight for Life will be held in Cardiff. A series of boxing matches will be taking place, with rugby celebrities hogging the limelight. Now, so far no names have been confirmed, but wouldn't it be fun to see Austin Healey knocking ten bells out of Justin Harrison, Brian O'Driscoll taking his revenge on Tana Umaga, Lewis Moody legally fighting off his team mates, or Gavin Henson fighting just about anyone! 
©www.actionplus.co.uk Well, that's it for now my sweeties, but to whet your appetite, in my next instalment I will be letting you into the rugby secrets of the delectable Pierce Brosnan, and of course will keep you up-to-date with the latest Six Nations news.
So until next time my petals, Ka Kite Anoo... Ruby xx
Previous Ruby Articles Ruby's New Year Ruby Writes Ruby with a view Ruby G |
