Manu Tuilagi shares his experiences over the past year
By Rugby World Reader Larissa Falls
Hot:
Warm-Up Matches… Care’s sportsmanship, Tuilagi’s talent, Warburton’s work rate and North’s try scoring tally. Tindall becoming England’s equal most capped centre, sold out games, vocal crowds and Wales’ tackle count. Last minute winning tries, Canada’s double over the USA, Japans success and France’s record against Ireland
Amy Garnett… Becoming the first ever female player to win 100 England caps
Sevens Rugby…Achieving another record TV viewing this year
Women’s Fixtures… A major step forward with England and the Black Ferns to play three back to back Tests over the next three years
Open Training Sessions…Magnificent opportunity for fans to meet their heroes
Tri Nations… Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith becoming NZ’s most experienced midfield partnership, the Wallabies back-line and the All Blacks 26 phase try. Openside flankers, New Zealand retaining the Bledisloe Cup and the Wallabies winning the Tri Nations Trophy
Newcastle…Claiming the JP Morgan 7’s event
Women’s Teams… England Women retaining the Nations Cup and South African’s Women’s Team securing their first victory over one of the world’s top six ranked teams
jonnywilkinson.com…The fantastic official website of…you guessed it…Jonny Wilkinson. Excellent videos, blogs and a wonderful insight into one of the Greats!
Not:
Warm-Up Matches… World Cup ending injuries, selection concerns and slow centres. Murrayfield attendances, the Millennium Stadium turf and Ireland’s lowest world ranking
Tom Reese…Has to be one of the most unlucky players when it comes to injury!
French Rugby Federation…What a mess with the Countries Head Coaching job! Should it not have been sorted before the Top 14 season started!?
Fear of Flying…Romanian winger Catalin Fercu withdrawing from the World Cup after deciding against the 40 hour flight to NZ.
Injury Forced Retirements…The season is yet to start and already Ryan Powell, Pat Sanderson and Dan Ward-Smith have been forced to retire through injury