A Ruck-Up

‘JASON Leonard is by no means the only England rugby player eager to convert their newly found celebrity into cold hard cash (or at least a perfumed cheque from Hello!).

David Beckham kicks a try

Unfortunately, what Hello! knows about rugby could be written in the time Jonny Wilkinson is not on the practice pitch.

For instance, its picture of ”Jonny’s winning drop goal” differs from the dozens of other images of what is already an iconic moment in a couple of important respects.

In the background, for instance, who do we see standing there but England captain Martin Johnson, who if memory serves was at the bottom of a ruck at the time.

And the England fly-half seems to have decided to drop this particular winning goal with his left boot, whereas most publications tend to favour the right boot.

But who cares about such details when Hello! can drop in on Josh Lewsey and his teacher girlfriend Tamsyn in their house in south London, can have a chat with Matt Dawson and his girlfriend Joanne (a Miss UK runner-up five years ago) and can have a cup of tea with Neil Back and wife Alison?

Like so many others, Hello! is now a convert to the game. It has bought its Barbour, invested in a hip flask and is off to, er, Lord’s to cheer on the boys.’

Posted: 4th, December 2003 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink