I was really pleased to see that centres and wings dominated the awards section for Player of the Six Nations Tournament. I am not sure of the enduring value of such an award because no one in the outside backs can profit without the efforts of others whether inspired half back play or the grunting efforts of the boys up front. But it tells you something about the increasing focus on creativity and more than that, it actually provides results as well as keeping people in their seats and attracting casual support whose eyes are easily turned. Talking of casual, Bielle Biarry’s cross kick in the in goal area to his opposite wing for an easier clearance will stay in my mind as outrageous skill in the Jeremy Guscott mould and there is no higher accolade.

Meantime, the mad cap, competitive, end to end rugby of the Premiership (unless you are Newcastle) continues. Nine or even ten tries in the first half alone seems to be the norm. This bears further scrutiny and my first reaction is to applaud the ambition. We cannot slate caterpillars, box-kicking and mindless route one running by forwards and backs, only to diminish the running efforts of many fine young prospects. Defence coaches have become insomniacs but I am so pleased to see the back of threateningly over physical double tackles and offloads becoming common place leading to clean breaks everywhere – back to the future!!

Warming to the theme, Max Ojomoh is suddenly being feted as a genuine England prospect, now lets see him under pressure. Also Seb Atkinson, who is thriving in a Cherry and White running revival which has me reaching for the smelling salts. Mike Teague and the ‘Glaws’ front row Union will be crying foul. The massed ranks of Harlequins hopefuls, Beard, Northmore, Waghorn and Joseph (himself Gloucester bound) must be itching for a chance to impress if they can get any gametime. Marcus Smith certainly knows how to get these boys running.

I sense this was instigated by the Northampton Saints conversion to the ‘run with the ball’ campaign. Their entire backline could do a job for England- Dingwall and Freeman in the middle, Fin Smith alongside and despite their curiously lowly position in the Premiership (caution, don’t have too many players in the England Squad) I sense that they could be a semifinalist in the Champions Cup as they are out of the running for the Prem.

Interesting to see that the three times winner Saracens – I handed them each of their trophies – sees the Champions Cup this year as a bridge too far and will not send their best to Toulon. I will never forget when they took apart the Galacticos on their own ground some years ago. It just shows how tricky the club season remains – let us not forget that the Leinster second team took down the Sharks on their own ground recently, who themselves put 40 points on a fully loaded Sale Sharks only weeks ago. It is all about squad management and whoever Saracens send will perform in line with their values which are second to none. I know. It also gives their young hopefuls, and they have plenty, game time.

Finally, on field fireworks were not matched by the damp squib of a Special General Meeting at the RFU last week. Manipulated by advisory groups and self interest, the agenda was predictable. Nothing was either decided or solved. The 1300 voting clubs did not have their say but I suspect they will in the few months to come without the proxies which were a dominant feature. Meantime let us not forget that 24 out of the top 26 clubs put their name to the need for fundamental change, alongside hundreds of other clubs within the RFU system. These are not splinter groups but a broad church that much is guaranteed.

Back to the midfield – now that Wrigglesworth is assisting the Lions, what better time than for Lee Blackett to help drive the next generation of England midfields… it has been too long and I am vaguely bored of the Greenwood Era, great though it was!

Hallers