Do you know when you realise that you've made it as an amateur blogger? When a mate you haven't spoken to for years pipes up on social media, confesses he's a reader and asks to write a 'guest piece' on your site. Boom. Less work for me. So please welcome James Harrop-Griffiths, a rugby enthusiast if ever I met one - and, as you'll see below, his enthusiasm is infectious.
Speaking of infectious, I met James during freshers year at university, when he was the President of my halls. Which meant that his role was to to scream encouragement in my ear and pull my trousers down whilst I cried during an attempted 'yard of ale challenge'. Known affectionately - or should that be begrudgingly? - as 'Pres' (get the title now?), he'll be chiming in with a few gems I'm sure over the coming weeks.
Now where is that yard glass....
One week ladies, gentleman and props, one week. Friday 18th September will see England walk out onto the Twickenham pitch with puffed out chests and with shoulders carrying the weight of a nation. Now that is a classic cliche entrance to a piece of writing, but it serves a purpose to the anticipation simmering away throughout the country. Twenty national teams will contest for possession of that legendary gold trophy, made to look so small in Martin Johnson's paws in 2003. The excitement is building, advertising is starting to ween its way into newspapers, magazines, TV adverts and social media and it's now, finally, just one week before England (and Wales) host a global tournament which we hope will attract the hearts and minds of citizens from everywhere to embrace our glorious sport.
I have visited a number of locations throughout UK this year and there has been a reassuring presence of Rugby World Cup logos and flags watching over the locals. From the Tyne bridge in Newcatle to Teagues Bar outside Kingsholm, there has been the sense of a big event looming; and that's starting to generate momentum. You, the reader, as loyal supporters of this blog (probably here by accident, to be honest, Pres - ED) and our great sport of rugby union, have been waiting for this moment since the last tournament, since big Richie held the gold trophy aloft - or perhaps since you can remember, because 1991, the last time England hosted the global showpiece, is such a distant blob on the mind.
In 2015 the excitement started to ramp up in the Six Nations, as England showed a glimmer of something great, as Ireland emerged as second best in the world and genuine contenders, as we realised Wales have 70% of team who have been there and so nearly done it before in 2011, and since Scotland placed faith in untried talented players with a desire to cause an upset. Your excitement and anticipation has grown throughout the year and I encourage all to embrace both with optimism and back your team in a way that only a true rugby fan can - through appreciation of what the players are going through physically and mentally. Although many will argue that throwing ourselves around mud in darkest Surrey on a wet and cold Saturday afternoon in November does not have any similarity to hurling yourself in front of Julian Savea to stop a winning try in the last test of a series, that gut feeling remains the same.
My point is rugby fans share and respect the players who put themselves under huge pressure to perform and emerge victorious for their clubs and countries. There is fan appreciation of the tactics, the strengths, the weaknesses, the style, skill and, importantly, (my favourite) the crash ball! This is why criticism often rules, there is a desire for success and perfection from all fans watching their team play - as a case in point, England played France in Paris recently and were average at best, and were it not for a bench resurgence it would've been an ugly conclusion to the game. But these were the games are for testing, removing summer rust, getting the legs moving in a test match environment. I will be surprised if England remotely resemble the forlorn hope from Paris when they walk out of Twickenham tunnel against Fiji on Friday 18th.
The opening game will be a welcome sight and bring huge wave of excitement for teams and fans alike. I hope it is embraced and those in the stands cheer passionately, loudly, fiercely and enjoy the experience with those around them. It is a unique occasion and opportunity for all involved. We are celebrating our game on a fantastic stage. We can show occasional fans and new fans the wonder of the game - the rivalries, the collisions, the handling skills, the speed and, most importantly, revel in any win for their team or courageous loss. The fact is that some teams will be winners, others will be losers - but all teams will play with absolute courage, we only have to watch Jacques Burger put everything into every game for Namibia. These are the players and teams we know will fight. You know it from your games or old playing days, sometimes you're being stuffed silly by a better team but you still tackle and go down fighting. It is often not pretty and but it should be embraced and praised, not booed or dismissed.
So this is a call to arms to represent our sport in this World Cup, to seize the opportunity to grow rugby union in the British Isles and abroad - so put on your jersey with pride, paint the face, wave the flag and warm up that singing voice. Look at those tickets on your mantelpiece or your fixtures wall chart and beam with pride; it's here, it's on our doorstep and it will be a fantastic event. Good luck to your team, and may the best team win...
@JamesHG1986
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