It feels like it has all been said for the Women’s Rugby World Cup – but we know that this is only the start and actually the hard yards start now to build on a tournament where so much fun was had and with such meaningful fan engagement in a festival atmosphere.

We must pay tribute to the pioneers, such as the current RFU President Deborah Griffin who was a trailblazer from the early 90’s when there was next to no resource or profile. There she was handing over a trophy to the Red Roses at a packed out Twickenham. The stuff of dreams and high emotion. Or previous 1994 World Cup Winner Giselle Mather who was in the crowd and could hardly believe the changes which had taken place this past three decades. Tears were shed by many of the team, the achievement, the relief at getting the job done as overwhelming favourites, and simply an outpouring for what they had all sacrificed and dreamt of these last few years.

For me, the most pertinent comment came from one of their many leaders, Alex Matthews. Tears changed to a heartfelt wish that other countries would now pick up the pace and create more competition. She recognised openly that real sporting jeopardy for them only arrived at semi-final stage, excluding the wonderful win for the Springbok women over Italy and the parity they held with the Black Ferns for most of their Quarterfinal. South Africa may be a rising force but it all depends upon resource – England overinvested and got their reward but short of putting a B team into the tournament what else can they do except keep winning. I shall never tire of seeing Ellie Kildunne carve up the opposition with contemptuous ease but we need more than that. Canada and France showed great skill and ambition and the Black Ferns will rebuild although with their limited player pool it is not a given. After that it is quite fragile. The top players in the world mostly appear in the English Premiership so while there is no alternative to player improvement is it through this league that private investors will end up funding the global game, at least at an individual level? I shall be intrigued to see how the off-field leadership now develops to match the ambition.

Meantime in a Trumpian New York a different emotion was at work during the Ryder Cup. Those who remember Brookline some 15 years earlier, with the merciless abuse thrown at Colin Montgomerie and other excessive behaviours, will not be too surprised at some of the repeat performance from the American crowd. Frankly their own team’s golf was put under so much pressure by the visiting Europeans that this was desperation stuff. Whatever was said to Rory McIlroy resulted in him pulling out of a key shot and delivering a pointed ‘will you shut the f… up.’ The ensuing shot from the rough left the ball two feet from the pin. For me one of the greatest ripostes that I have seen in sport, akin to a touchline conversion against a chorus of boos but better. Sean Lowry’s heroics in playing top shot after top shot under similar pressure was  outstanding. He may have been a bystander to the McIlroy abuse in relative terms but he copped a load himself. The Irish ‘jig’ – or whatever that was – to celebrate the putt which closed out the Ryder Cup after some serious jitters will be one of the sporting moments of the year.

Away from the actual field of sport, we were reminded once again of the cruel hand of fate dealt indiscriminately to the best people. Lewis Moody, Rugby World Cup Winner, England, Leicester and Bath, announced a shock diagnosis of MND. It brings to mind my dear friend Doddie Weir, former England team mate Paul Rendall and of course Rob Burrow, just to mention a few sporting names among many more – this horrible disease respects nobody. I will not have been the only one reduced to tears by Lewis’ interview but also to be inspired by his courage. We will respond as we did when Doddie was diagnosed. He left us in no doubt that we must keep fighting to find a cure, raise funds and raise awareness. That we will do in whatever small way we can. The legendary Springbok Schalk Burger, combining with myself, Kenny Logan, Doddie and Jill Douglas, made a wine called the Doddie5 Red Blend back in 2019 to raise awareness. I have agreed with Schalk that as long as there is demand we should keep making it. A world ‘free of MND’ is what Doddie dreamed about, and I know that we will all keep that dream alive.

Sport brings out so many emotions, pain and heartbreak as well as the happy moments. It also brings people together and has the power to change lives. As a big sporting family, we can all do our bit.

Hallers