When Tennis Was Cool - Back to the 1970s

Awww man. Came across some old magazines someone had thrown out into the street during a house clear-out. From 1974 I give you Guillermo Vilas, a young Bjorn Borg, bonus cheesy 1970s ad for Fred Perry + super double cheesy bonus tennis lifestyle ad.

It's Always Handy To Have A Jonny

As my dad used to remind me when I hit late teenage years and started going out with girls - always keep a jonny in your back pocket, just in case. Brian Ashton, newly installed England Rugby coach, must have given the same advice to his own sons and taken heed himself of this excellent advice. Re-introducing Jonny Wilkinson to the England fold for this season's match vs the Scotch was in many ways a risky choice. With only 42 minutes of rugby under his belt this season, and precious little time on any rugby field since his last-minute drop goal to win the world cup back in'03, many were the critics of this bold decision. The fall-out if Jonny had got injured would have been horrendous. Or even if he had performed badly and let the Scotch gain momentum in the early stages of the game you knew the press, the slavering wolves of hackdom, would have slaughtered Ashton.

But the England supporters were all for it. Jonny W was their talisman. The key to the lock. The little engine who could. The atmosphere at HQ was totally changed from that last, horrible outing vs the Boks. Tension was absent, pre-match beers were sunk in hope rather than dread, the chat was upbeat. They agreed with Ashton.

And then... Oh boy and then. 70 minutes later, with 27 individual points in a total over 40, blinding breaks, creation of tries, a full-house of scores (try, conversion, penalty and drop goal) the hero was substituted to a standing ovation. Jonny was back. England were back. All was well with the world.

A quick mention must also be made of Jonny's teammates who also came good that day. Jason Robinson returned to the national team after previously retiring - and scored a try. Andy Farrell (or 'Faz' as the League boys insist we should call him) played solidly and was a great foil for Jonny. The forwards finally looked like English forwards should -frightening. Harry Ellis at scrum-half was magnificent (my personal MOTM) and the new chap at full-back, Olly Morgan (who attended my alma mater - Millfield School), acquitted himself well too.

God how I love international rugby union. No other game makes me so revved up. It takes true courage to front up in this game. It makes me laugh when football commentators talk about courage before a match. Don't get me wrong, I love footy, it's a brilliant game requiring many athletic skills - but it doesn't require courage. Vinny Jones wouldn't have lasted 2 minutes on a rugby field. He'd have been found out for the bully he is before he could grab anybody's nuts. No, international rugby union is the toughest team sport on the planet and all the men who play it - yes, even the Welsh - should be lauded as present day gods.