Observer cartoon

Today's Observer runs a cartoon (Roasted) in which two employees of a Starbucks-like coffee house discuss rugby. " Karl, is rugby unfashionable again?. asks one, "any day now" replies the other, "thank God" says the first.
I agree: the consequences of winning the World Cup have been unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. The post office sells stamps emblazoned with the 20-17 final score. When the Webb Ellis trophy was paraded at the Varsity match last month, many of the crowd were more interested and excited by this pointless half-time ballyhoo than by the game itself. Let the game return to decent obscurity.
The other problem with contemporary rugby is that the fans are so ghastly. More of this anon. I have promised my son that I will take him to a Saracens game.