Lions call entrusted to blundering blazer
THE naming of the Lions rugby squad today for the tour of New Zealand is one of the few remaining team announcements that has any ballyhoo about it, with the players only learning if they have made the cut when the picks are read out.
And the man in charge of the announcement at a televised event from London’s Syon Park hotel at noon is tour manager John Spencer, despite the controversy of his sexist comment at the official Twickenham function before the autumn international against South Africa.
Spencer, in line to be the next RFU president when he returns from the Lions tour, astonished guests by telling them the glamorous Charlene, Princess of Monaco, was in the building. And if anyone ‘fancied their chances with her’ this was their opportunity because her husband, Prince Albert, was not with her.
The Lions hierarchy have remained supportive of four-times-married Spencer, even though his gaffe led to calls for the RFU to censure him. And at least reading out the 37 names today doesn’t allow him much room to digress.
An RFU spokeswoman said Spencer had quickly apologised for his Twickenham comment. IT doesn’t help all the sports searching for elusive sponsorship deals that so many Premier League clubs will be in a crowded market place this summer, chasing deals for the new left- sleeve shirt branding allowed next season.
Only Manchester City have completed a sleeve deal so far — a £3million-a-year agreement with South Korean tyre manufacturer Nexen Tire.
BRIGHTON showed a refreshing approach by allowing the team to celebrate promotion to the Premier League with their fans on Monday. Players including Steve Sidwell, Jiri Skalak, Sam Baldock, Oliver Norwood and Jamie Murphy travelled with supporters by train from Falmer into Brighton after their victory against Wigan to toast the success with them in city-centre pubs. Murphy, Skalak and Norwood even took turns crowd-surfing down the carriage.