This is a week when the saddest of news has grabbed the headlines. The sudden passing of Scott Hastings has awoken much emotion in the rugby world, and this was a man whose greatness existed as much off as on the pitch.

I had a decent playing record at Murrayfield, but the two most scarring defeats of my career came at the hands of Scott Hastings together with brother Gavin and a host of household names who would grace an all time Scotland team. Their rampant victory in 1986 when Scott touched down under the posts for a crushing result was more than matched in 1990 when he confronted the might of the England backline and was a huge part of that unforgettable Grand Slam victory. A book was written, a film was made, so powerful a memory it left upon the rugby world, and forever written into history. Us English truly had to return home ‘tae think again’. Luckily we did, learnt some lessons and managed two consecutive Grand Slams of our own immediately thereafter although Scott was a big problem for us on all occasions.

He became a good friend over the years albeit from a distance, and his work on behalf of others, notably Doddie Weir, became legendary. He will be sorely missed but not forgotten as one of the greats of our game.

Scott could never have pulled on anything other than a Scottish jersey. In a world where residency and qualification rules have changed and some countries have had to adapt to their lack of resources through some creative ‘nationality accounting’, England is not one of those who have ever needed that licence. In fact we can be profligate in allowing top players to ply their trade elsewhere and sacrifice international status. Some have, to our detriment, but those are the choices we and they have made.

I have real reservations on the recent selection of 29 year old Van Rensburg into the England squad, widely flagged for months by the media on behalf of the England coaching team. People will know I rarely stray into these contentious areas. However, I have often written about the mismanagement and mis-selection of our midfield players ever since the era of Greenwood, Tindall and Catt. For successive England coaches, it seems that any centre three-quarter is dispensable, never trusted or given time to develop. It is one of the main reasons why England has failed to win anything of note for more than 20 years.

I will currently name at least six England centres who have more to offer than a man who is probably ranked outside the top 12 midfielders in his home country. I have seen him play in Champions Cup competition against top opposition and he simply is not good enough to warrant the exclusion of other contenders. Last weekend I do not blame him necessarily for the no show in Bristol’s must-win game against the Saints. It will not have gone unnoticed however that he and his colleagues were ripped to pieces with great nonchalance by many of the current England backline. He was nowhere to be seen but of course a general malaise can be catching. I also do not blame the man for aspiring to be the best version of himself that is possible but that should not extend to extreme bonhomie smacking of unwarranted desperation.

I was hoping fondly (and still do) that an Ojomoh/Freeman pairing could take on the perennial midfield challenge with pace and skill and be given a year to develop into the World Cup – which is what it will take when you look at the world’s best and England’s chances to rule the world. Ojomoh dropped into the Rec for a quick airing at the weekend and created at least 3 tries in 30 minutes due to his sleight of hand. Perhaps we could also work with the fast developing Atkinson, a to-be rejuvenated Lawrence, an increasingly talented Hartley, the pacey Will Wand  who is carving it up for Leicester or finally the known skillsets and class of Dingwall or Slade. Freeman, on his day and with some more centre play time, would make mincemeat of them all. So why would you bring in a new name this close to a World Cup when so much quality English talent is already at your disposal.

Finally, who is going to defend the national line with more passion when the going gets tough?

However BJVR performs, he is on a hiding to nothing because it will always be said that an English alternative could achieve much more, and I am firmly in that camp. Lee Blackett better have a good answer (I do not expect one from SB) because I cannot see it. Pathway, what pathway?

Meantime, in Bordeaux again after the drama of the Champions Cup semifinals, an understrength (is there such a thing) Red Roses repelled a ferocious effort by France to reverse an increasingly depressing history, unless you are a Red Rose in which case it is anything but. At the heart of this performance was inspirational Captain and midfield maestro Meg Jones. Speedsters and try scorers like Ellie Kildunne and Jess Breach cannot operate without the midfield creativity she provides and her leadership inspiration. No chopping and changing there, John Mitchell knows the value of that midfield stability together with Zoe Harrison. As other countries around the world struggle to bridge the gap, the Red Roses continue to write their own history. Kudos!