The West London's RWC blog

All you need to know about RWC 2007

Lolo Ferrari had her knockers

Alastair McGillivray and Gayt Paree - 1960

By way of a taster, here's a snippet of Alastair's vault of anecdotes - more to follow we hope..
This man was chugging back the wine as quickly as possible er... I mean leading players in France before most of you were born (I was five - bloody hell!)

"Plastered in Paris" was an expression which, I for one have used on occasions to describe our visits there, so I would certainly give it the thumbs up as a title.

"My memory only goes back to 1960, which was my first tour, but I do have some anecdotes from previous tours, when OGs played Neuilly, before M.Allias & pals moved on to build Plessis-R, and formed the RFC Du Batiment thereof.

 

Most of my direct comrades in arms, if not on legs, are still around the globe somewhere, although some of the 1960 team, alas are no longer. Bob Silsby was the latest casualty, and Paul Cook, Ken Sindell, Ted Blundell and the incomparable Nobby Clarke, have all gone to the great plasterboard ceiling in the sky, together with so many other camp followers and walking wounded such as Bob Buckland.

 

As for my French, the Norman twins would always remind me of my response to the Sunday lunch toast ("Vive la Reine") to which I came back with "et Vive la President!" Today, Madame Royale might have fitted in to both offices, but in those days, De Gaulle, like Queen Victoria, would not have been amused.

 

After that, I tried to make amends by offering round the slices of roast pork on the table, including an invitation to a good looking girl, "Voulez vous (aimez) plus de couchon?" I suspect she thought I was offering myself to her, which was not far from the truth.

 

I'm not at all familiar with blogs, so let me know what you would like in the way of any anecdotes, and I will try to circulate them, starting with this mailing."

Cheers for now,

Alastair


Thank you. See - that was easy! Here's the match day programme. For information, Alastair was the 1960s equivalent of Sebastien Chabal  - in case you want to 'draw' in your mind an imaginary picture of him...he looks more or less the same today...

 

A Cast of Thousands...

Hello everyone, whether you are young or old, the memory of a trip to Paris is everlasting. Some of you will have discovered how nice the gendarmes are, and realised that, after several 'petits coups' (OK - fifteen pints then) fluent French was a doddle.
We, as West London are priveleged to be invited to Paris for the bi-annual celebration of all that is good about rugby. The friendship, tolerance and comfortable doorways and park benches on which we have slept...We have been able to reciprocate and build this strange but strong relationship which, for some, has become absolute friendship and long may this special feeling continue. Oh, there's usually an International match going on but hey! don't stop the fun. (Big bums up to the authorities who have been arranging the France v England fixture on a Sunday pm - making our logistics difficult!)
Everyone knows Bobby Blundell - one of the Club stalwarts. It was the drive of his Dad, Ted, that saw the original fixture come about  - in 1955.
I'll mention only one other name out of many that have and do propagate this amity - Jack Herman "Cheers Cock!"
Plessis Meudon have changed shape over the years also, and are currently 'on the up' - under the changing shape of Pierre Cettour-Rose - a veritable man-mountain (when he is lying down!)
I know that our composition has changed over the years - arriving at the present WLRFC. No worries - a modern memory of a moment in Paris (or a Parisien's moment in London maybe?) is as valuable as any. So get writing and let all those who read this blog know just how much fun it is - whether you have played, are playing or just watching. All your memories count.

The England Team

The first game against USA is looming and it gives the 'mecs' of England a chance to 'beat about the Bush' by taking it out on some unfortunate American rugby players...
...or will they?
No pressure, plenty of fitness and a will to win can drive the Americans forward and make England's initial foray a bit awkward. Here in England we hope that superior skill will prevail and that the pack will flatten a less experienced opposition. In America, they are worried about the amount of ice needed for David Beckham's knee and er...I mean will be cheering on the Eagles come Saturday. OUCH! He's injured already!

Referees..."What's on André?"

Everyone knows the referees have it easy. They often get it wrong, and have to listen to whingers like Richie McCaw  harping on for 80 minutes.  However, the armchair pundit knows best.
Here you can post a comment about the multi-talented arbitrators, from those that blow the pea out of the whistle, to the gentle nice Mr Allan Rolland, the super Joel Jutge, the 'rosbif' Wayne Barnes, and ending with the dynamic duo of  Stuart Dickinson and Steve Walsh, who seem to be neck and neck in a    " I have my head so far up my backside" competition.
Luckily, André will not be in Paris...

Ruff Stuff!

Brilliant T - shirts for the World Cup can be found at this delicious site. English bcbg - without a doubt. Move over Serge Blanco (comment va ta regime Serge? :¬)  ) Shove along Eden Park... here comes Jack Russell. WOOF! Picture shows my dog Jack who was on the bench for the last game he played..."Cheers Cock!"

http://www.jackrussellclothing.co.uk/search.aspx?type_id=5

Don't Try For Me Argentina

Ah! 'La chanson d'Evita...OK - it's a bit corny but don't beef.
The Argentine XV are ready for a forward battle this Friday evening. Coach Laporte is scared of his forthcoming promotion to the French government   worried about the formidable Argentine spirit which has seen them pressurise the best of sides - for 80 minutes. He needs the result as much as the team as it represents the aspirations of government in France...  There will not be many 'gift' games like the one Scotland presented to Italy in the six nations last year but early success for the Pumas will make life difficult for France. Stay cool. The photo shows an Argentinian barman preparing for the match. His personal trainer is to the right and there is even a picture of 'Ben' in the background. You can get 66-1 for Argentina. 6-1 for France.

England United but Jonny in a State...

Ho hum - the injury list has started with Wilkinson sore. We knew there would be a twist in this World Cup - maybe this was it. Now the roast beefs will have to bank on Barkley to make the breaks and control the game. As it stands, tonight, England are 33-1 (la cote est 33 contre 1  - putain!)
The England coach, Brian Ashton:  " admitted there is concern over Wilkinson's injury, although he was reluctant to put a timeframe on his return to action." - I think he had better put a bandage on it - not an effing timeframe!
Anyway, Dallaglio, Rees and Worsley  add a sting to the back row.. I read some 'bons mots' in all the newspapers and it seems like a load of   (I don't want to write bullshit here because it doesn't seem like the right word but you know what I mean ...) stuff like " I will believe white is black and black is white if I have to...etc" Let's hope England get to meet the All Whites then Lawrence - that should be colourful.
So. In short, a good opener, with the England coaching staff preparing their first tranche of clichés as I write.

Oh ho the hakki wakki...

Can't post this direct to your screen but this video is worth  a look just to see how the Haka used to be...before the days of McDonalds in NZ! A case of Syd Going, going gone!

Your Best World Cup Match

For me, it has to be the France - New Zealand semi-final  in 1999. A great game made even more special by the first visit of the Plessis - Meudon Folklo (old gits XV) to our then clubhouse at Sudbury Hill. What a Sunday!
A lot of the older (nay - ancient) West London players and families have shared memories for 30 years or more, with rugby as the common bond. By the end of the 20th century, we were getting on a bit and it seemed fitting that a few of these veterans tours took place. (The art of inventing a piss - up). All this added to an atmosphere that was at first a bit sullen as New Zealand powered to a twenty something points to not many...
...then the fluid French machine kicked off and the clubhouse was in upheaval. A great game made better by the people around me - as it usually is.