https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/ en-us Copyright 2007 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:18:32 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Hang out the bunting, strike up the band, Tom and Ben are home. Not quite in a jet draped with flags, awaiting a press corps and tumult of fans, more in a campervan, on a ferry, still wearing those flip-flops.... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/now_thats_what_i_call_tom_and.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/now_thats_what_i_call_tom_and.html Tom and Ben Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:01:48 +0000 Calais ferry port, Monday morning - C’est tout. Seven weeks to the day that we set sail from Dover, hope in our hearts and three clean pairs of socks apiece in our luggage, the time has come for Ben and... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/heading_back_to_old_blighty.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/heading_back_to_old_blighty.html Tom Fordyce Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:44:27 +0000 Paris, Sunday - My mother phoned me this morning and asked me what I want for dinner on Monday night. Mrs Dirs is a quality cook, but that’s not what I wanted to hear the morning after England played in... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/welcome_home_to_roast_beef_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/welcome_home_to_roast_beef_1.html Ben Dirs Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:08:49 +0000 Thursday morning, Paris - Former Middlesex and Durham seamer Simon Hughes tells a great story about an ageing Ian Botham bowling to the touring Australians at Chester-le-Street. Botham, Hughes maintains, wasn’t doing anything with the ball at all, simply padding... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/why_wilkinson_is_the_main_man.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/why_wilkinson_is_the_main_man.html Ben Dirs Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:44:08 +0000 Paris, Wednesday night - Suddenly, I feel as if I’ve fallen into the plot of a cheap, tear-jerking melodrama. After seven weeks, 12 matches and 4,500 miles together in Le Bloggernaut, Ben and I are about to be split up... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/desperately_seeking_a_cup_fina_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/desperately_seeking_a_cup_fina_1.html Tom Fordyce Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:24:15 +0000 The outskirts of Paris, Tuesday - “Confidence,” sang Elvis - “There's no job too immense when you've got confidence.” While Elvis was a hero to most, he never meant squit to me. But, as I’ve strolled around the streets of... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_24.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_24.html Tom Fordyce Tue, 16 Oct 2007 12:16:13 +0000 Paris - Big sporting occasions can mess with people's minds. On Saturday night, as my brains were being blown out by the Marseillaise, I found myself making the sign of the cross and I very nearly cried. When I tell... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/ugly_win_a_thing_of_beauty_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/ugly_win_a_thing_of_beauty_1.html Ben Dirs Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:55:11 +0000 Paris - It worked so well on Saturday we're continuing the Orlo/Dirsy blog partnership for the SA v Argentina ratings, but this time with added Fordyce! Here are our player ratings for the Boks' semi-final win over the Pumas. I... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_23.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_23.html Mark Orlovac Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:40:39 +0000 Paris, early hours of Sunday morning - Words - you fail me. Legs - you can’t hold me. Liver - stand by me. I’m dreaming. I must be. Except in dreams I’ve never thrown myself into the arms of a... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_in_dreamland_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_in_dreamland_1.html Tom Fordyce Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:17:50 +0000 Paris - A brand new partnership of me, Orlo, and him, Dirsy, together in one blog. Here are our player ratings for England's semi-final against France. I have rated England and Dirsy's rated France. Do you agree? Let us know... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_v_france_player_rating_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_v_france_player_rating_1.html Mark Orlovac Sat, 13 Oct 2007 22:50:46 +0000 I’m normally loathe to use military metaphors when writing about sport. Unless, of course, Phil Taylor is playing Peter Manley at arrows, in which case, it’s entirely appropriate. But, as I sit here tapping this out in a darkened hotel... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/paris_primed_for_english_invas.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/paris_primed_for_english_invas.html Ben Dirs Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:40:30 +0000 The outskirts of Paris, Friday - Just one day to go now until Le Grand Weekend. Gulp. Right now, Ben and I are incapable of doing almost anything except run round in ever-decreasing circles, squeaking in schoolgirl fashion before collapsing... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/quelque_chose_pour_le_weekend.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/quelque_chose_pour_le_weekend.html Tom Fordyce Fri, 12 Oct 2007 07:43:27 +0000 Macon, Wednesday, en route to Paris - 400 kilometres down, 400 to go. At this stage of the trip, with the sunny pitches of the south disappearing in Le Bloggernaut’s dusty wake and the bug-battered bonnet pointing towards the autumnal... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/like_lemmy_in_a_library.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/like_lemmy_in_a_library.html Tom Fordyce Wed, 10 Oct 2007 05:22:22 +0000 Aix-en-Provence – Tommy and I set sail from Marseille on Monday afternoon like a couple of battered sailors fleeing a storm and have now weighed anchor in the calmer waters of Aix. Thousands of others will have done the same... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/am_i_dreaming_of_paris.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/am_i_dreaming_of_paris.html Ben Dirs Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:21:43 +0000 Marseille, Monday morning - There’s no two ways about it – that was without doubt the greatest sporting weekend I’ve ever been involved in. Marseille this weekend has been a city drenched in beer, tension, disbelief, sorrow, happiness and wild,... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_21.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/post_21.html Tom Fordyce Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:00:28 +0000 Marseille - More bad news for those who have been complaining about us wasting their licence fee for the last five weeks: England are off to the semi-finals of the World Cup…and we’re going with them! Not even as I... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england.html Ben Dirs Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:26:21 +0000 Marseille - Tom and Ben here, together in one blog. Here are our player ratings for England's quarter-final against Australia. Tom's rated England and Ben, Australia. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts! https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_v_australia_player_rat.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/england_v_australia_player_rat.html Tom and Ben Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:38:58 +0000 Marseille, Friday morning - England probably think they’ve got a tough task on their hands, trying to beat the Australians in the World Cup quarter-finals this weekend. They have. But I can tell them now that it won’t be as... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/dang_dananang_nehneh_nenenah_n.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/dang_dananang_nehneh_nenenah_n.html Tom Fordyce Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:28:40 +0000 Marseille - Down at Australia HQ in Marseille’s Old Port, the Wallabies could only have looked more relaxed had they been receiving facials while fielding questions from the floor. A slight murmur went up when I asked George Smith if... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/old_port_old_rivals_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/old_port_old_rivals_1.html Ben Dirs Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:25:04 +0000 Marseille, Tuesday morning - “Oh, what an atmosphere!” Ben chirped this morning. “I love a party with a happy atmosphere!” I sighed. No man likes to be woken up by a semi-naked rugby fan from Romford, particularly when he’s dancing... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/sdadhg.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/sdadhg.html Tom Fordyce Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:55:09 +0000 To lose one Six Nations side before the quarter-finals of a World Cup is unfortunate. To lose three just goes to show how stagnant and outmoded northern hemisphere rugby has become. Some claim this tournament has proved that rugby runs... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/northern_exposure_leaves_dirsy.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/10/northern_exposure_leaves_dirsy.html Ben Dirs Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:43:45 +0000 Lyon, Friday morning - “You know what?” said Ben this morning, as he stared forlornly out of Le Bloggernaut’s windows at the sleet whacking down outside. “We’re halfway through our trip. We’re officially on the back nine.” I looked up... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/lyon_and_the_leggy_lioness.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/lyon_and_the_leggy_lioness.html Tom Fordyce Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:39:06 +0000 St Etienne - Those of you who have been complaining about us wasting your hard-earned cash for the last three weeks will be delighted to know that we awoke this morning in an industrial estate to the tune of hailstones... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_16.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_16.html Ben Dirs Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:35:01 +0000 Bedoin, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, Wednesday morning - Some people are born foolish; some have foolishness thrust upon them. Very few combine both those traits, and then also happily embrace additional foolishness with arms outstretched. It would appear... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/man_against_mountain.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/man_against_mountain.html Tom Fordyce Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:33:05 +0000 La Ciotat - Namibia may not be the most talented team at this World Cup but I’d wager they have one of the cosiest set-ups. Situated in the town of La Ciotat, 20km from Marseille, their hotel has its toes... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_12.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_12.html Ben Dirs Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:12:43 +0000 Aix-en-Provence, Wednesday - Delightful though the home city of Cezanne and Zola (Emile, rather than Gianfranco) is, there was only one reason why The Bloggernaut was blocking its cobbled streets this sunny morning: the mighty All Blacks were in town.... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/starstruck_by_the_all_blacks.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/starstruck_by_the_all_blacks.html Tom Fordyce Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:55:04 +0000 Aix-en-Provence - “Ben, France at this time of year is like a 35-year-old woman – blooming and ready for anything.” An Englishman says that to you, and you laugh in his face. Manu, owner of the Web Bar in Saint-Emilion,... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_10.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_10.html Ben Dirs Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:25:58 +0000 Montpellier, Monday morning - You want to know what true happiness is? A man named Ben Dirs finding out that the assistant venue manager at the Stade de la Mosson is called Paul Bastard. The weight off Ben’s shoulders since... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/whats_the_french_for_schadenfr_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/whats_the_french_for_schadenfr_1.html Tom Fordyce Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:47:16 +0000 Bordeaux - When you’re down and troubled, and you need some love and care, go out and have a few scoops with the Irish in Bordeaux. You’re likely to get absolutely rubbered and forget about all the bad things that... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_8.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/post_8.html Ben Dirs Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:57:41 +0000 Condom, again - We should have known that something bad was afoot when we both woke up on Wednesday morning from jaw-clenched technicolour nightmares. Mine involved hitting a furious Brian Ashton in the face with a misplaced spin-pass, while Ben’s... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/toulouse_la_trek.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/toulouse_la_trek.html Tom and Ben Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:18:47 +0000 Condom, France - I swear on everything that is dear to me that we did not plan to end up in Condom last night. The idea was to stop off in Agen on the way to Toulouse, but the lack... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/cognac_and_raw_pasta_on_the_me_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/cognac_and_raw_pasta_on_the_me_1.html Ben Dirs Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:09:47 +0000 Nantes - Of all the scary sounds you’ve ever heard - fingernails being scraped down a blackboard, two foxes fornicating in the street at midnight, the atonal singing of Yoko Ono - nothing can compare with the noise of a... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/welsh_fans_in_fine_voice.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/welsh_fans_in_fine_voice.html Tom Fordyce Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:11:29 +0000 Nantes Wales recovered from a half-time deficit to record a 42-17 win over a valiant Canada at the Stade de la Beaujoire. I was at the stadium to see the match, and here's how I rated each individual player's performance.... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/wales_ratings.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/wales_ratings.html Ben Dirs Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:52:04 +0000 Angers, Loire Valley - As far as I’m concerned, last night’s biggest revelation wasn’t that France have got no hope of winning the World Cup, but that French youths drink Pastis and rose rather than cans of Stella. It’s depressing... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/look_back_in_angers.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/look_back_in_angers.html Ben Dirs Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:33:32 +0000 Rambouillet, near Chartres, in the rain, Friday - A new morning, a new campsite – and a new way to be woken up before any normal human wants to be unsnoozed. Yesterday, it was a rabid dog attacking the campervan... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/no_so_mighty_oaks.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/no_so_mighty_oaks.html Tom Fordyce Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:25:18 +0000 Amiens - As I scanned row upon row of crosses at one of the many British cemeteries that dot north east France like ice-white scars, it was sobering, and a little humbling, to think that my great granddad fought on... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/a_humbling_site_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/a_humbling_site_1.html Ben Dirs Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:01:51 +0000 Day three – somewhere near Arras Lesson number 62 of motorhome camping – don’t leave the window and skylight open when you crawl into your bunk at night. Someone – I’m not naming names, but since it wasn’t me, you... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/up_with_les_oiseaux.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/up_with_les_oiseaux.html Tom Fordyce Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:57:15 +0000 Near Lens BEN: There is something slightly disturbing about watching a man kissing and stroking a 3G internet card in the back of a darkened motor home in a remote campsite in Normandy…Tommy? TOM: Desperation can force a man to... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/life_thru_a_lens.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/life_thru_a_lens.html Tom and Ben Tue, 04 Sep 2007 11:38:24 +0000 The ominous parting words from the various BBC bosses have all been the same: “Have a good time, of course – but don’t crash the van, right?” So immense, so space-age, so monstrously horse-powered is our vehicle that it appears... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/chimps_chumps_and_jonny_hallyd.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/09/chimps_chumps_and_jonny_hallyd.html Tom Fordyce Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:12:17 +0000 The other day, as I passed a queue snaking out of the door of a KFC in Romford High Street and became embroiled in my third set-to of the afternoon, a voice appeared in my head. “Dirsy,” it said, sounding... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/08/bonjour_and_welcome_1.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/08/bonjour_and_welcome_1.html Ben Dirs Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:16:47 +0000 I'm a journalist on BBC Sport Interactive, and spend most of my time writing sarcastic text commentaries on cricket and tennis. I used to be chief features writer and athletics editor, but the lure of watching Paul Collingwood scratch out... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_tom_fordyce.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_tom_fordyce.html Tom Fordyce Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:16:43 +0000 I joined the BBC Sport website as a callow (yet surprisingly leathery) youth in 2001 and spend many an hour wondering where the last six years of my life have gone. In that time, I have worked my way up... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_ben_dirs.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_ben_dirs.html Ben Dirs Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:00:25 +0000 Tom Fordyce and Ben Dirs are travelling around France in a camper van for the duration of the Rugby World Cup. They have a rough route planned but will be looking for inspiration along the way. If you have any... https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_tom_and_ben.html https://bbcbreakingnews.pages.dev/blogs/rugbyworldcup/2007/07/about_tom_and_ben.html Tom and Ben Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:14:46 +0000