Articles
Simon Halliday A very English perspective
About Simon Halliday
Hallers played for Oxford University, Bath & Harlequins and represented England in 23 test matches, including the Rugby World Cup final against Australia in 1991.
Simon, a former RFU Council member, is an investment banker in the City of London and also Executive Director of Esher RFC.
Simon Halliday's latest articles
England Rugby is stuck in a Honey TrapNovember has proved to be the most disappointing month for England rugby supporters, but we shouldn’t really be surprised, argues Simon Halliday.
England’s Midfield Must Stay Close and Run StraightSimon Halliday looks at all the wide boys in England’s midfield and wonders if anyone has ever sat them down in front of a video of Dan Carter and pointed out his positioning and lines of running.
Stuck in the middleWith the Olympics, Paralympics, the Ryder Cup comeback, Andy Murray’s Grand Slam title & Bradley Wiggins Tour de France win the beginning of the rugby season was always going to be a struggle.
Take them out wide EnglandPlaying for the shirt in England Sport has become conventional wisdom after England’s problems in NZ.
England will never challenge the world without an attacking midfieldSimon Halliday hopes that England’s revival under Stuart Lancaster is not a massive illusion created by the poverty of the opposition, outrageous luck, a spot of nationalism and good PR.
6 Nations Round 1 ReviewAbsolutely everyone is rebuilding either their squad, their confidence or their coaching, in some cases all three. It was a perfect storm for England and the only way was up. Stuart Lancaster has reminded the current group of players of some standards and values which 99% of all England Internationals believe anyway. That was how far they had lost sight of reality. In the light of that, any win would do.
The All Blacks are not to be deniedIts unimaginable that the Men in Black can fail, but not because they are overconfident. There are many more important factors at play: are the home nation, suffering in the adversity of the Christchurch earthquake, without a RWC since 1987, clearly the best side on form, young and hungry and above all they owe the French a hiding.
A disappointed EnglishmanAs the World Cup quarter finals approach we in England seem more excited by Wales and Ireland, the two form teams in the tournament. We all knew New Zealand was a very complete side and that Australia was the flair side with great counterattack potential. But no one thought that the Celtic Tigers could realize their potential, such a shame they meet at the weekend. In my book they are semifinal sides at least.
An English PerspectiveEngland will move on with relief to the next challenge after a match which left everyone here underwhelmed but we have seen mediocrity before from this team. They look over processed in my mind and it took some class from Youngs to show a few people that good skills cant be replicated on a sheet of paper or from a Leicester coaching manual.
