Irony

This is a remarkable photograph in so many ways and not because Jonny Wilkinson is in it.

Those of you who read this and who know me well enough will understand why Jonny Wilkinson features in this post and I promise he will be featured in full pictorial post of his own one day.

The reason why I picked this photograph is because it's so pregnant with meaning.

This was shot when the England rugby team arrived in France for their World Cup campaign. I wouldn't call it a defence of their Championship because all but the most one-eyed of English supporters will admit that we don't have a chance of winning it this year, not least of which was the rather lacklustre performance against the USA yesterday although Olly Barkley (he yummy too) put in a very creditable performance.

For that reason, I'd be inclined to be quite cynical about "Hope & Glory" and given Jonny Wilkinson's ankle injury, I rather doubt that he'll live up to be England's "Hope & Glory" for this World Cup.

I still fancy Jonny but it's not going to be the same as the last final Rugby World Cup final where he kicked the winning goal against Oz. Poor Jonny.