The West London's RWC blog

And The Winner is...Mrs Masoe of Savai'i (Samoa)

She wins an all - expenses paid trip to France (Cardiff branch) with her husband,  to feel Sebastian Chabal's tackle.

Meaty Beefy Big And Bouncy..!

We will see some big men this weekend. Some bigger than others - and some who will stay in your mind...

Where's Shabby?

Half term at Rugby World Cup and the kids are getting bored. See if you can track down that barrel of fun Shabby Chabal on his day trip to the beach in Rhyl before their home game against the All Blacks  - in Cardiff.
Rumour has it that if New Zealand reach the final stages in 2011, they are going to play at home, in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga... but let that not spoil our fun - Where's Shabby?

England v Asbostralia XV

England J Robinson (unattached); P Sackey (Wasps), M Tait (Newcastle), A Farrell (Saracens), J Lewsey (Wasps); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Harlequins); A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Regan (Bristol), P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: G Chuter (Leicester), M Stevens (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps), P Richards (London Irish), O Barkley (Bath), D Hipkiss (Leicester)

...COME ON!

Selection Boks

The French connection goes on and on... Jannie Du Plessis has been called in to play for the South African side in their forthcoming dust up with Fiji. Let's hope they get "merde on" by the Fijians eh?!
For England, I think Brian Ashton will be bold. ("Rubbish!" - I hear...) Hipkiss in the centre with Farrell, Corry in the Second row, Rees and Madman Moody in the back row, egging on Easter. Gommersall, Wilkinson, Robinson,Sackey, Lewsey... yeah yeah, it's all taking shape now - JUST IN TIME BRIAN! "Brian?....Brian?"...."Are you there Brian..?"
For the French, I like the way Dusautoir plays. Along with Elissalde, Thion and Nallet, Jauzion, Traille, Poitrenaud, Michalak - plenty of choice there then. Will it be enough? Only if the mentality is there - New Zealand are on their self-destruct mission as of now and if a team can capitalise on that then..BOOM! Bye bye Blacks!
Australia have got Larkham, Barnes and Rocky to set stuff up. Control them and England can win.
Got a view on the All Blacks? Most people seem to be ignoring them. I'm sure South Africa would like to avoid them in the final. But will South Africa avoid going through the Argentine mincer in the semi-finals? Will Scotland come forth and bridge the divide between North and South? Things are warming up for SuperSaturdaySunday!

The History, Man!

This is a little story of how this relationship between ‘France’ and ‘England’ began. For those of you who have visited once or twice, with a certain detachment  - naturally – you can have no idea…indeed I was engrossed by the history and decided that it merited space within this forum of rugby. There cannot be many teams that have sustained a relationship such as ours – through thick and thin – arriving in the 21^st Century, talking to each other via email! “If only they could see us now…”

C'est une petite histoire qui raconte le commencement d'une relation entre la France et l'Angleterre. Pour ceux qui y sont allés, avec un certain détachement, naturellement, ont aucune idée... j'étais tellement captivé par l'histoire que j'ai decide que ça pouvait faire parti du forum.  Il n'y a certainement pas beaucoup d'équipes qui ont gardé une relation telle que la nôtre, à travers le calme et la tempête, arrivant au 21ème siècle, conversant par email! "Si seulement "ils" pouvaient nous voir maintenant"....
Of course, even I am not that much of an old fart – I was one month old when the first visit took place – and the history related here is condensed from an article by the late Jack Herman for our original club’s 50^th Anniversary programme (1984) – “Mr Rugby” – who did more than most to sustain rugby and relationships. He participated in and organised the first 29 tours! Ultimately we have arrived at today’s West London and, hopefully, will venture into the future, inspiring and helping Plessis- Meudon to achieve their goals… We are all bit players in the universe of history and have one chance to help, to enjoy and to participate. Never underestimate the opportunity and pleasure that sporting friendship gives – it is everlasting.

Naturellement, même que je ne sois pas un vieux machin - J'avais un mois quand la première visite c'était faite - et l'histoire racontée ici est le concentré d'un article écrit par Jack Herman pour le 50ème anniversaire du club (1984) - "Mr Rugby" - qui a fait plus que tous pour garder ensemble l'amitié et le rugby. Il avait organisé et participé dans les premières 29 tournées! En fin de compte, nous sommes arrivés aujourd'hui à West London, et avec un peu de chance, nous nous  aventurerons dans le futur, en inspirant et en apportant notre soutien au Plessis-Meudon pour qu'ils achèvent leurs objectifs. Nous sommes tous un peu des joueurs dans l'univers de l'histoire et avons une chance d'aider, de s'amuser et de participer. Ne jamais sous-estimer l'opportunité et le plaisir que l'amitié sportive apporte - c'est éternel.

Anyway, here’s the history…
En tout cas, voilà l'histoire...

On the weekend of 11^th -13^th February 1955, Old Gaytonians made the first French tour. They played Neuilly and beat them 11- 6. The connection was that Ted Blundell, Bobby and Robin’s Dad, was working at the British Embassy in Paris and playing regularly for Neuilly. Apparently it was a train, boat, train affair. The game was played on the Saturday and the team returned on Sunday morning. Didn’t stop the fun though and a good night out was had at the Mayol Music Hall on the Friday before the Saturday match, including a striptease by 'others; female'…just for a change the rugby players stayed clothed!

Le week end du 11 au 13 février 1955, Old Gaytonians ont fait leur première tournée en France. Ils ont joué contre Neuilly et les ont battu 11 à 6. La connection était Ted Blundell, le père de Bobby et Robin. Il travaillait à l'ambassade de Grande Bretagne à Paris et jouait régulièrement pour le club de Neuilly. Apparemment, c'était une histoire de train, bâteau, train. Le match se jouait le samedi et l'équipe s'en retournait le dimanche matin. Ca ne les empêchait pas de bien s'amuser le vendredi soir au Mayol Music Hall avant le match du samedi, tout était inclus même le striptease "par des femmes"... pour changer un peu les joueurs gardaient leurs vêtements!

The French came to England two weeks later - such was the bonhomie.
Les Français allaient en Angleterre deux semaines plus tard - telle était la bonhomie.

Arrangements were made the following season to travel on the same weekend as the international match took place – a pattern that was to continue for the next twenty six years. As happened so often in French rugby, the Neuilly club had collapsed in the intervening year and the President and Vice Presidents had founded another club, Du Batiment RFC. Stade Colombes was the venue for international matches at the time – the friendship endured, with many of the original players from Neuilly joining the ‘new’ club, in order to sustain this ‘amitie’ – this overwhelming friendliness.

Les Français allaient en Angleterre deux semaines plus tard - telle était la bonhomie. Les arrangements étaient pris la saison d'apres pour voyager le même week end que le match international prenait place - un circuit qui continuera pendant soixante ans. Comme cela arrive souvent en rugby français, le Club de Neuilly se plia dans les années intervenantes et le Président et Vice-Président fonda un autre club, Du Batiment RFC. Le stade de Colombes était, pendant ces années, la juridiction pour les matchs internationaux - l'amitié supportée pour toujours, avec beaucoup de premiers joueurs du club joignant le club, afin de garder cette amitié - cette amitie bouleversante et irrésistible.

Du Batiment continued until 1962, when they lost their ground. Another merger led to the formation of ‘Du Batiment – Plessis Robinson RFC’. As a new and vibrant suburb of Paris, Plessis Robinson was soon to become the name for the club, dropping the ‘Du Batiment’ from their title in 1964. Ultimately they became ‘CSM du Plessis-Robinson’ – and still the rugby and friendship prevailed! Some of the Plessis players also played for their midweek team – ‘COSNA’ – the then aerospace specialists and for a while, they played the Old Gayts second team. By 1975 the COSNA organisation had moved away from Paris and the connection came to an end. Fixtures continued between the first and second teams of Plessis and Gayts.

Du Batiment continuera jusqu'en 1962, date après laquelle ils perdent leur terrain. Une autre fusion et la formation du Du Batiment-Plessis Robinson RFC. Cette nouvelle et vibrante banlieue de Paris, le Plessis Robinson, viendra le nouveau nom du club, envelant Du Batiment de leur titre en 1964. Finalement, ils deviendront le CSM du Plessis Robinson et toujours le rugby et l'amitié persisteront. Quelques joueurs du Plessis jouaient aussi en milieu de semaine, pour leurs équipes - COSNA - les spécialistes en aérospaciale et pendant un moment ils joueront contre la dèuxieme équipe des Old Gaytonians. En 1975, l'organisation COSNA déménagea de Paris et cetteconnection toucha à sa fin. Les rencontres continueront entre la premièreet la deuxième équipes du Plessis et des Old Gaytonians.

Since that time, Plessis have reorganised and are now known to all of us as Plessis Meudon (EPMR). They have their own figurehead, Pierre Cettour-Rose,  an energetic guy working unselfishly for the enjoyment of others, whether he’s serving a drink, appearing on a municipal committee or just enjoying the games.  West London is the result of three former teams amalgamating; Old Gaytonians, Old Kingsburians and Roxeth Manor.

Depuis, le Plessis c'est réorganisé et est maintenant connu de tous sous le nom de Plessis-Meudon (EPMR). Ils ont leurs propres prête-nom, Pierre Cettour-Rose, un homme énergique qui travaille généreusement pour le plaisir des autres, si ce n'est que  pour servir une boisson, assister à une réunion du comité administratif municipal ou pour tout juste s'amuser. West London est le resultat de trois clubs fusionnés; Old Gaytonians, Old Kingsburians et Roxeth Manor.

We are all busy making history, taking our share of what has gone before –it is nice to know that others that follow you will benefit in the same way…taking a little of what you leave behind and giving something different in exchange. Hopefully this blog will form part of that – don’t quite know how but hey! I’m a rugbyman, not a clever dick! Enjoy your rugby – make your friendships, keep them and remember them! Relive them from time to time – it’s better than chicken soup for the soul!

Nous sommes tous très occupés a écrire l'histoire, à prendre une part du passé -c'est bien de savoir que ceux qui nous suivent profiteront de la même facon... Prends un peu de ce qui reste et donne autre chose en échange. Avec un peu de chance, ce blog fera parti de ça -je ne sais pas trop comment, mais hey! Je suis un ‘rugbyman’, pas un ingenieux!  Appreciez votre rugby - faites- vous des amis, gardez- les et souvenez- vous d'eux! Revivez les de temps en temps - c'est meilleur que la "chicken soup for the soul"! (soupe de poulet pour l'âme).

France Front Row Man In Nightclub Scandal...

Shocking news today as it was revealed that Pieter De Villiers was 'moonlighting' as a puppet cabaret act.  He originally thought he was going for a job as a stage prop.
Bernard Laporte, - 'le chef' - mindful of his next job,  is  studying technique apparently!.  See for yourselves - here's another secretly filmed video from our agent Sue La Blanquette...

France Cast An Eye Over New Zealand...

Les Blews - who sells the Cardiff Herald outside the Arms Park thought he was in a dream and someone had named a road after him...all he could hear was "Alley Les Blews"...

Yep. A dream. And next weekend is the dream fixture for France - playing the toughest All Blacks squad in downtown West Of England aka Wales. The French public will be impressed.
I have, however, received a spy satellite picture of the France XV casting an eye  - "jeter un coup d'oeil" - over the hunky boys of the Silver Fern...take a look!

Time For A Quote

A) England, South Africa B) Australia, Wales C) New Zealand, Italy D) France, Argentina...


This was my original speculation for the outcome of twenty four days rugby - after seeing the key teams in action.
Not bad - considering that with a little more nous Italy might have 'shaded' it over Scotland. Wales were the biggest disappointment for everyone who has seen them play I think - totally lacklustre and massively pressurised by 'lesser' teams - as were all the e;ite participants. New Zealand are the only side not to have been under the cosh for sustained periods...but. They have this inbuilt choking ability and, as a little gentle pressure has been applied, have made their own mistakes. Luckily, none of their oppo have been good enough to capitalise and further pressurise. Give Serge Betsen that opportunity and BAM!  Elissalde and Jauzion will pounce. Fiji will be ground down by a better team than Wales and I fear for a flat footed England side who look laboured in their actions. Contrast that with Berrick Barnes or rampaging Rocky for the Aussies - that looks like a hatful of trouble, without adding Gregan, Larkham, Smith etc etc  'into the mix' (learned that phrase by litening to inane 'interviews' with players from , mostly, the home nations!)
Next week - a few days of rest and reflection. Have a good reflect everyone and make sure you are tuned into 'Radio Le P' (that means here!!!) for a fun week of frolicking activity.
Salut, bonsoir and goodnight! (Unless I get a dose of insomnia and think of something stupid to write...

Day 24 - Sunday Matches

 

Big party time for the French before the serious business in Cardiff (Oh how 'international' is that piece of organisational merde?)  next week. Great.
South Africa  - the Springboshers can look forward to Fiji in Marseille
Ireland could possibly change all that Arms Park business - unless their wheels come off yet again when they meet the Argentina XV. A 30-0 win for the Greens will be good for Guinness, good for Ireland and brilliant for France. On form though, it is goodbye - see you in four years.