As we go into the last weekend of February, rugby enthusiasts in Sri Lanka are about to have a host of variety served up their viewing pleasure. The Six Nations, a tournament that has really begun to capture the imagination of rugby fans, is into its 3rd and crucial week. On the other side of the equator, the southern hemisphere’s best are dusting off the cobwebs. A re-jigged Super Rugby competition springs into life this weekend, though it actually kicked-off last Saturday with a couple of games played in South Africa.
In our very own back yard, fans wait with bated breath for the start of the schools’ season. The good news is that it’s not long to go. Royal host the newly promoted Kingswood next weekend, and then its non-stop exhilarating action till June.
On Sunday, we see the curtain come down on the 2017/18 club season. It’s the finals of the Dialog Clifford Cup. Unbeaten league champions Kandy SC go into the game as favourites (no surprise there). Their opponents – the spirited Sailors, who upstaged the Havies in the semi-finals. This game will be played at Longden Place, which will be somewhat of an advantage to Navy SC. But it will also provide those in Colombo with an opportunity say goodbye and pay tribute to one of Sri Lanka’s best-ever back-line players. Fazil Marija plays his last competitive game for his beloved Kandy. Another winners medal will prove a fitting farewell to Marija, and I’m sure he’ll look to cap it off with a try, or two.
Given the occasion it’s hard to see Kandy slip up at this final hurdle. But, I’m sure Navy will look to make them work hard for it. If its anything like the knock-out games seen so far, we should see some tries being scored. Hopefully, we will also see a Referee take charge who allows for fast, open play.
The Clifford Cup, presented to the winners of the premier club knock-out tournament, dates to over a century ago. You’ll be interested to know that this trophy was first awarded in 1911, to the winners of a game between the United Services, and an All Ceylon team.
Dialog Clifford Cup: the Final Frontier
A fitting finale of the Club Rugby Season will take place at Longdon Place on the 25th of February…
The former came away with the trophy, beating the latter 25-0. In recorded history, the Clifford Cup is considered to be the oldest rugby competition in Asia.
This week, we focus on one of the world’s oldest rugby union encounters, and the oldest international fixture to date. This Saturday, Murrayfield in Edinburgh plays host to the Calcutta Cup. This trophy is traditionally awarded to the winners of England vs Scotland encounter.
What are its origins and what makes it so special?
Christmas day, 1872 saw a game of 20-a-side rugby being played in Calcutta, between a team representing England, and the other made of a mix of Scottish, Irish, and Welsh. The match was deemed to be such a success, it was played once again a week later. These matches, and those involved with them saw the Calcutta Football Club come to being in January 1873. The Club and the sport prospered initially despite the climate not being entirely suitable for the game. However, with time membership started to drop and other sports started to take precedence. Eventually the members decided to disband, but were keen to see the name of the club live on. So, they withdrew the club’s funds from the bank, which were in silver rupee coins. These coins were melted down and made into a trophy which was then presented to the Rugby Football Union in 1878, based on the proviso that it would be competed for annually. The Union in turn decided that it should be awarded to the winners of the contest between England and Scotland.
The cup itself is a beautiful piece of Indian workmanship, finely engraved and stands 18 inches high. Amongst its most distinct features are three cobras forming its handles, and the elephant atop its domed lid. The original trophy is now in a rather fragile state, partly due to poor treatment.
One such infamous incident occurred in 1988, where the accolade was damaged by some drunken players in the aftermath of the game. Dean Richards of England, and Scot John Jeffrey were severely reprimanded having found to have played football with the trophy down a street in Edinburgh during a drinking binge. Today, both nations have replicas of the cup, and Richards is a Head Coach of Premiership club Newcastle Falcons.
The Calcutta Cup has been played since 1879, generally when England and Scotland meet during what is today, the ‘Six Nations’. The venues alternate between England and Scotland, where its hosted at Twickenham, and Murrayfield respectively. There have been interruptions during certain periods, especially during the first and second world wars.
I remember some top-class players from both sides during the 90’s and early 2000’s. Gavin and Scott Hastings, Gary Armstrong, Rob Wainright, Gregor Townsend – were the backbone of their respective Scottish teams. Rob Andrew, Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson, Brian Moore, Jeremy Guscott, the Underwood brothers dazzled in England colours.
That tally stands overwhelmingly in England’s favour. The turn of the century saw the Scots spring a surprise win over the old enemy at Murrayfield in 2000. But since then, have tasted victory only twice (2006 & 2008). Barring 2010, which ended in a draw, England have dominated proceedings. A tight contest was expected last year, but England went on a rampage to lambaste their opponents 61-21 at home. But much has changed in the Scotland setup since then.
Townsend is now at the helm of the Scotland coaching team. His charges now play very much in the same style has he hid in his playing heyday; flamboyant, risk taking, end to end sort of open rugby. In this short time, it’s fair to say that they have thrilled and spilled in equal measure. Everyone was talking about the revival of Scottish rugby when they convincingly beat Australia in the recent Autumn series. Some even went the extent of tagging them as a favourite for this year’s Six Nations. But that bubble well and truly burst when they were whipped by Wales in their opening game. As Townsend has found out, the Six Nations is a patch where the tough, seasoned boys roam. Razzle dazzle stuff doesn’t cut it.
After their opening debacle, Scotland did ever so well to come back strongly to beat an enterprising France a week later. Despite falling back in the first half, they fought hard and ground out the needed result. They kept on the pressure and when the penalties came, kept the scoreboard ticking. Grieg Laidlaw’s experience is vital to the team, one in which they have some exciting young players. Jonny Gray keeps getting stronger, Huw Jones is a real threat in midfield, and Finn Russell is one of the better attacking fly half’s in world rugby today. Their set-piece has proved to be their Achilles heel. They know that teams will look to exploit this and will have to make sure they scrum effectively and don’t concede cheap penalties. If they can hold their own, and their backline play clicks – who knows what could happen?
England is without doubt the second-best team in the world today. In my opinion, they are fast gaining ground on the All Blacks. Coached by one of the sharpest and shrewdest minds in world rugby, Eddie Jones has set the tone. They have at least three world class players in every position. Look at the options at Number Eight – Billy Vunipola, Nathan Hughes, and new sensation Sam Simmonds. Everything Jones says and does is well thought out – including his press conference antics. England have lost only once since Jones took over following the 2015 World Cup. They have won the last two Six Nations, and are well on course to make it three in a row. Like when it comes to beating New Zealand, opponents would need to have a blinder and count on England having a really bad day to overcome them. Their Captain Dylan Hartley has long been seen as their weakest link – but even he has started this tournament really strongly.
The George Ford-Owen Farrell axis has provided rich dividends. And when their forwards cause damage up front and disintegrate defenses, the likes of Anthony Watson, Mike Brown and Johnny May have so much space to get through. They have been a joy to watch. Each game is approached differently and they have all the tricks in the bag to put any team away.
On paper and form, England will be overwhelming favourites. But in traditional games, funny things tend to happen. Especially at Murrayfield. On Saturday, Townsend will look to snare his biggest & most prized scalp to date. You wouldn’t want to miss it.
