Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mick Cleary reflects on a year in which rugby’s reputation has taken a number of knocks.
"There's an easy Christmas wish list for rugby: No more 'Bloodgate', no more drug exposés, no more gouging, no stodgy, boring, kick-and-chase, no more laboured England, no more Springboks banging over penalty goals from 53 metres to deprive the Lions in a series-deciding second Test.
“The game is badly in need of an ethical clean-up and a stylistic makeover. If Father Christmas can deliver on that, then we’ll all be happy. Well, not England’s opponents perhaps but the neutrals might have cause to appreciate some rugby worth the admission price.
“There is a moment of reckoning looming for Martin Johnson - the opening Six Nations match against Wales on Feb 6. The insurrection up in the Twickenham stands could well grow into open revolt. Johnson is acutely aware of the issues. Losing to the southern hemisphere big boys is one thing, defeat by the Celts on home turf quite another.”
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