A sneaky way to get one over on England

Eddie JOnes’s concerns about Welsh skulduggery before the england rugby team’s game against Wales in Cardiff are not new or, i suspect, a one-way phenomenon. some years ago, this led to one of the most bizarre incidents i’ve encountered. A group of us were playing tennis at an indoor centre in Cardiff, since closed. Through a window next to the cafeteria, i saw then england head coach Martin Johnson, followed by forwards coach Graham rowntree, plus the england pack, walk past. seconds later, these huge, somewhat menacing figures in tracksuits silently lumbered into the hall carrying their equipment. They then took up residence on a court on the far side of the otherwise empty complex. We didn’t know then that the england camp had told the media they were reluctant to conduct their lineout drills on a public pitch in case Welsh spies cracked their jumping codes. so this had been their solution. A handful of us stayed to watch proceedings but, being sporting people, resisted the temptation to tip off the press. We had been honourable, but we felt something had been done for the Welsh cause when the centre’s manager later told us he had charged the england party double the normal amount for the hire of the court. Perhaps eddie Jones heard about this incident and that was why he reacted the way he did! Colin Drury, Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan.