Sporting Wine Club
Our Blog
Hallers Playbook21 August 2026
Sporting Champions with a Smile as young rugby guns seek game time
Just when we thought there was sporting downtime in this impossibly arid summer, along came the European Athletics Champs in Birmingham. What struck me most, apart from the exceptional performance across the British squad both individually and collectively (the relays, wow!), was the sheer enjoyment
Read More →
Hallers Playbook1 August 2026
Bath Rugby On The Cusp Of History
The great and much missed Jack Rowell stalked the changing room as we all absorbed the sobering defeat by Leicester Tigers up at Welford Road in January 1983.
Read More →
Hallers Playbook24 July 2026
Overcoming the pain of sporting failure
I never tire of quoting Nelson Mandela, especially when he had so much to say about sport, and personified the most unifying moment ever experienced which brought a nation together. His concept of success was illuminating -'I never fail. I either win or learn'.
Read More →
Hallers Playbook16 July 2026
The intoxicating power of Sporting Emotion
The profusion of sport this last two weeks has been unprecedented, given the new Rugby Nations Championship to go alongside a Football World Cup in the world's biggest and most expensive sporting arenas…
Read More →
Hallers Playbook10 July 2026
The Three Lions Roar with defiance and unite a nation
These are the moments all International sports people dream of - walking out onto an intimidating foreign field, against the odds and at fearsome altitude…
Read More →
Hallers Playbook24 June 2026
Prem Trilogy Shows England The Way Forward
What a final wrap up for the Prem season. It was truly memorable for a number of reasons. The best four sides, evidently, two local derby semi-finals and a veritable pageantry atmosphere were everything that the marketing teams could have wished for in their wildest dreams.
Read More →
Hallers Playbook9 June 2026
A View From The Cape: Anyone Fancy A Lump Of Scrum With Their Tea? No, I Take Mine With Centres
Having spent the last two years in South Africa, a land of great rugby contrast, home of the scrum but also of Sacha Feinberg-Mgnomezulu, I had to smile as a clear clash of philosophies…
Read More →
Hallers Playbook8 June 2026
A View From The Cape: The 'Auld' Business Of Rugby - Leadership
There will not be a single article to do justice to this theme, which is debated and pondered over in both the theory and practice.
Read More →
Hallers Playbook26 May 2026
A Tale Of Two Cities - From Bilbao To Blackheath
We are at the business end of the season and time to pay tribute to top performances wherever they are in our rugby world.
Read More →
Hallers Playbook26 May 2026
Rugby Centres At The Heart Of Our Game
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.
Read More →
17 April 2026
The Big 'little moments' Separate The Winners From The Losers When It Really Matters
Firstly, let us celebrate a contest for the ages, showcasing English club rugby in rude health, with scenes of intense drama at the iconic Recreation Ground, often voted the most picturesque rugby venue in the world. As someone who played there and lived in the city for a decade, I can certainly att
Read More →
Hallers Playbook9 April 2026
Champion Rugby Weekend As Big Guns Look To Bilbao
It may be a few years since I relinquished the Chair role at EPCR but it doesn't prevent a sense of pride at the continuation of Six Nations-like drama in the world's top rugby club competition.
Read More →
20 March 2026
A Six Nations Tournament to Excite the Whole Sporting World
First, some plaudits which may have been missed in the sensational last weekend of a 6 Nations series which had everyone on the edge of the sofa or else hiding behind it. Ireland have won 5 trophies in the last 5 years, a record a certain other country and many others would give their right [&hellip
Read More →