The theatre of rugby is most pleasing. There is the whole ceremonial of it the special dress, the entry into the arena s perfection, the flags, the anthems, the bands, the referee s poise as he sets passion loose, the grunt, groan, sweat, courage and engrossing enthusiasm, and the amiable fatigue of the cheerful journey home a triumph of sport, somehow a triumph of the manly spirit, an aesthetically beautiful thing. 29 Mar 2000 England are on the verge of winning a Grand Slam title in the International Championship, as it is often called, when they play Scotland on 2 April 2000. England s Grand Slam will depend on beating Scotland as they have thrashed Ireland, Wales and Italy and battered out a victory over the French. They look certain to beat Scotland.
Nothing is certain.
Of their 39 visits to the famous old stadium since 1910 Wales have won just 11. The first of these victories was in 1933 when a side containing seven new caps came from behind to snatch an improbable win. Making his debut at fullback for Wales on that auspicious occasion was Vivian Jenkins. He tells Gavin Mortimer about the day Wales broke the Twickenham bogey . Many, many matches between France and England have been classic, often deciding the winner of the Five Nations, especially over the last two decades.