By The Prof
March 28 2003

After last week's wild excitement of our first away win for a long time, this week we had to rely on international rugby to get out kicks, happily Quins’ players have been heavily involved. On the Quins side of things James Hayter has signed a new contract that will see him at The Stoop for two more years to come. Those of you who have seen him play for the seconds will know what a fine player he is and he will certainly be pressing Tani and Ace for the number 2 shirt.

The U19s beat Nottingham turning round a 21-5 half-time deficit in the process, it was a good fight back which was lead by prop, Mark Lambert, fullback Matt Baker, hooker Puttick and winger Adie Rose. One downside to this win was the serious leg injury to winger Neil Covell.

On the injury front people seem to be following Jase’s lead and progressing well. Burke has pulled out of the Ireland A team but should be fit to play our next game which is away to Leeds next Friday. Our two injured props Bruce Starr and Laurent Gomez are both recovering well and might be playing before the end of the season and Woody and Pat Sanderson are both coming along well too.

With no Six Nations Ball this season the Club have decided to have an informal party which is on in The East Stand Bar on Friday at 7:30.

Farmer Martin is leaving us to take up the Head Groundsman post at Epsom College, we wish him well and hope his replacement (Farmer someone) can keep up the high standard of the Stoop pitch.

Elsewhere in the club if the Amateurs win this weekend against Old Abbotsonians they will earn promotion – here’s wishing them all the best.

On the international front England beat Scotland 40-9 and Jason Leonard and Will Greenwood had good games with Greenwood again showing that he is the most imaginative and creative centre in England at the moment, his little chip and chase near the end was beautifully executed but why didn’t he pin his ears back and score himself? Alternatively he could have passed the ball to one of the out and out wingers we had on the pitch – Dan Luger (who came on as a replacement) or Jase?!

Chris Bell and Ugo Monye both played in England U21’s victory over their counterparts from north of the border.

Leah Carey of the Ladies team made her England U19 debut, playing at No.8 and being pack leader. She was part of a team that trounced their Welsh opposition 0-66 with Leah scoring a try and being mentioned for her fine play.

This weekend we have a number of players involved in internationals with Jase, Will and Dan all being named in England’s squad to play the Grand Slam decider against Ireland. If England win it will be a great boost before the World Cup and it will mean Jason will be the only Englishman to have won four Grand Slams.

Whatever the result Jase will get his 102nd England cap this weekend which will put him one above David Campese and to be honest anything that pushes our beloved Campo further down the honour lists the better!

According to the RFU web site Chris Bell has withdrawn from the England U21 squad but that still leaves us being represented by Henry Barrett and Tom Williams – in fact the RFU has Barratt mentioned twice in the squad list, now I think he is a great player but for him to be in two positions at once is just too much for the lad! Ugo Monye who played last week is involved with the England 7s squad as England try to defend their title at the Hong Kong 7s. Last year England won with Gollings and Duncombe in the team. It was nice to read in an interview with Clive Woodward that he regards Nick Duncombe as one of his sporting heroes.

The fact that the Beijing 7s tournament has been cancelled (it was due to be played over the weekend of 5/6 April) means that Ugo will be returning to us earlier than expected and with our dismal injury record with 7s this can only be a good thing!

North of the border Tim MacCormick gets his first call up to the Scotland U21 squad congratulations to him.

Best of luck to all the Quins who are playing this weekend especially the Amateurs and the lads in Dublin – I could do with celebrating another England Grand Slam.