WHAT GOES ON TOUR…

Goes in Rugby World

WE HAD a great Sunday session in Cowbridge after winning the 2012 Grand Slam, writes WalescentreJamieRoberts.

There were some casualties from the official celebrations the night before, but the hardcore all made it out. The so-called ‘Super Sunday’ celebrations were always more informal and relaxed, giving us a chance to mix with the fans and luxuriate in our achievement.

In the course of the afternoon, I remembered how Mike Phillips used to do this party piece where he’d pin £20 on the dartboard and challenge people to try to win it. You had three darts from three distances: one right in front, one from the oche, and a third from twice that distance. It was two quid to play and if you hit the note with all three darts you got to keep it.

Mike was a canny operator and always left with a tidy profit and now, half-cut, I decided I fancied a piece of the action. I had a £50 note in my wallet, so I whipped it out, pinned it to the board and set the entry fee at three quid.

Jonathan Davies placed his pint on the bar, rolled up his sleeves theatrically and dropped three pound coins into my palm. With a minimum of fanfare, he punctured the note with each dart before strolling to the board, retrieving the note and sliding it into his pocket.

The lads erupted with almost as much enthusiasm as when we’d won the Slam. I got exactly what I deserved for waving a 50 around like I was John D Rockefeller. I should have known better: Foxy is the son of a pub landlord.

From Jamie Roberts: Centre Stage, publishedbyHodder& Stoughton,RRP£20.

WE WON’T TE LL , PROMISE…

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