These are the moments all International sports people dream of – walking out onto an intimidating foreign field, against the odds and at fearsome altitude, supporters lined up against you, playing for the shirt and your team mates, bodies on the line…… it is enough to bring out the very best version of yourself, nothing left on training grounds or on the spreadsheet.

You may have thought I was talking about the England v South Africa rugby clash at Ellis Park but no. How this nation was inspired by the best sporting theatre imaginable in an already exceptional World Cup- it was more than just a football match in the gladiatorial stadium that is the Azteca, a real Mexican fortress. Whether a five year old schoolchild, committed pub-going fan or an insomniac granny(2 am Kick off), the chants were loud in praise of a quite sensational clash from the kick off. It featured countless heroic saves from Pickford, length of the field counters by Rice, true stardom by (Hey) Jude Bellingham and the leadership of ‘Arry Kane and what leadership. The mounting of the defensive barricades with ten men arranged carefully by the now genius Thomas Tuchel added to the noisy, unbearable tension. Rarely can England’s pubs have roared so loud at 4 am, and there would have been no complaints, just smiles from the half asleep population who were realising that our football is genuinely on Route 66, not home yet but not far off.

It was genuinely unlucky that a dreamy knock by Jacob Bethell in England’s T20 win over India at Old Trafford and the emergence of a sudden and unlikely tennis hero called Fery seemed inconsequential. Henman Hill has become Arthur’s Seat when most of us know it as the hill outside Edinburgh! No disgrace for England’s women cricketers either because the Australian T20 Champions are our version of the Red Roses.

The English media went to work to build up Englands rugby prospects, and even I thought that with some good domestic form behind them that our players would play for their lives from the first whistle as they did against France , nothing to lose as underdogs. Meantime, in South Africa the late withdrawals of Kolisi and Etzebeth made the headlines – neither of whom I thought were fit anyway- plus some seemingly genuine admiration expressed for Pollock and the likes of George Martin. Our press also went for conspiracy theories on the departure of various coaches which seemed like a backhanded pop at our own Head Coach. Sometime too many column inches can be a bad thing.

I fully expected Pollock to start mainly because he is on such good form and also because despite their focus, the Springbok forwards would perhaps be distracted and give England one or two cheap penalties and a foothold in the game. No such luck on either count. One other point, Pollock is a creative runner and we have to supplement our best three quarter talent with running forwards of which we have so few.

I thought that the Boks back three were peerless, set up and executed the three try blitz which gave England a very clear message on how to start a top test match – and effectively win it.

As to our midfield play, I can only say that if you want to get the best out of Freeman then give him some ball in space, even allowing for the Bok blitz defence which they must have expected. Felix Jones after all !!!? Otherwise you might as well put him back on the wing, and in the umpteenth shift in thinking, we now are pinning our hopes on Van Rensburg to be the super sub against Fiji. Rewarding the in form Henry Slade is fine by me but has Max Ojomoh been sent to the beach already? As for Calouri, he should have started against the Boks but at least he can now make his mark. Fiji are due a big match which worries me and they have form against England.

But enough of that, the Viking threat that is ‘too cool for school’ Erik Haaland (I will always support my beloved City striker but not this weekend) awaits in the fixture that everyone in this country wants to watch, England v Norway for a place in the World Cup Semifinals. There will be tactics and replacement strategies yes, oh and hydration breaks, but what interests me is the passion, leadership, the connection with the fans through song, and dollops of heart, soul and playing for the shirt. Not a spreadsheet in sight. Let’s go,Harry, let’s go England!