History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

Mirror work early May / late April

Mike Catt looks to write history and tame Leicester Tigers – just don’t mention retirement

Back in 2003, when he was 32-years old, Mike Catt helped England make history when – against the odds – his team defeated Australia in Sydney to lift the World Cup for the first, and last, time. Tomorrow the evergreen fly-half will be looking to rewrite the record books again, when he steps out at Twickenham in the Guinness Premiership Final.

South African-born Catt moved to London Irish five years ago, having been labelled a has-been after over decade at Bath. And, under the guidance of first Brian Smith – now England’s backs coach – and Toby Booth, Irish have become a force to be reckoned with. Catt has very much been at the centre of this new-found success.

Last Saturday the 37-year-old made one try and scored another in the 17-0 win over Harlequins at the Stoop in the Guinness Premiership semi-final. That victory earned the Exiles their first Guinness Premiership final in their long history – and now they are playing the most formidable opponents possible, in Leicester Tigers.

Leicester, who finished top of the tree in the domestic season and have a Heineken Cup Final to play against Leinster next Saturday, have made it to the Guinness Premiership Final day in each of the past five years.

To many observers it looks as though it will be slingshots against giants, but that does not faze Catt. He says: “We are playing against the most experienced, streetwise side in the Premiership – they have been in the final every year for the past five years. All those players have been involved in big Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership final games – they know how to win games.

“But so do we, as we have proved this season. We have been consistent throughout – and the Guinness Premiership Final is our just rewards. The most we have lost a game by is six points in the whole season. We have got points irrespective of who we are playing. We have put ourselves in a very good position. It has been a fantastic season. We have scored more tries than anybody else and defensively we have bullied sides.

“The difference for us this season has been our fitness, power and pace. In the past two or three years we have been bullied by teams but now we are standing toe-to-toe with them. That is great for our confidence. We have not changed much from what Brian Smith brought to the table. We have the players and we know the game we really want to play. All we have done is tried to cut out those small individual errors.

“It is about us playing our way and making sure that we don’t make unforced errors. We need to be very technical in what we do. We are a very emotional side, London Irish, so we just have to make sure that we are not too emotionally charged up. Moreover, the guys have just got to enjoy the moment.”

Irish, who name an unchanged team from last week’s win – including centre Seilala Mapusua, the man named Players’ Player of the Year on Wednesday, England second row Nick Kennedy and captain Bob Casey, all of who were doubtful – have the ability to tame the Tigers. With a decent set-piece line-out, in particular, and game-changing athletes in Delon and Steffon Armitage, tomorrow’s game could go right to the wire.

And when asked whether it would provide a fitting stage for his final bow in a glittering career, Catt – who turns 38 in September – hints that he may be around for another season, yet. “I’ve always been of the mindset, never say never,” he continues. “Leaving Bath was a massive gut-wrenching thing for me to do, having achieved so much in my 11 years there. For them to discard me in the way that they did was very hard to take.

“But it opened another door for me. The first year was very tough as I did not play much rugby. But then Brian Smith turned up and we based the game around playing. Since then we have developed and every year we have got better and better. And it has been great fun doing it.

“I’m passionate about the game and I love playing. London Irish’s man-management of me has been fantastic over the past three or four years – if I can’t train a couple of days a week they let me take time out. Then, if I don’t perform on a Saturday they can drop me. But they way that it has worked out it has definitely helped – and meant that I can still play at the age I am.

“If I announce my retirement now then it would take something away from what London Irish have achieved this season. I have no interest in doing that, first of all. I think this will only be my fifteenth game of the season – whereas some of the other guys have played nearer 30 games. I’m not going to announce my retirement before a big game – it’s not all about me. It is about London Irish.

“I will make a decision over the summer in my time off. But we have brought in two fly-halves – Ryan Lamb, who is a great catch for us, and Chris Malone. They have both picked up serious injuries, and we will know, in a few months time when pre-season starts, whether these guys are going to be OK for the start of the season. If not, then I will do a pre-season and do the start of the season. When they are fit and healthy and raring to go then can just take a back seat. That is the way I am thinking at the moment.”


Stephen Jones on banishing his Lions demons

Mike Catt overcomes flu to inspire London Irish to victory over Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership semi-final

Ugo Monye previews that semi-final and speaks about his Lions selection

A profile of Franck Ribery, who Manchester United want - and are willing to pay a reported £63m for

And 10 things you need to know about the departing Liverpool legend Sami Hyypia

Labels: bath, British Lions, franck ribery, Guinness Premiership, London Harlequins, London Irish, Manchester United, mike catt, stephen jones

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:51 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Mirror work

A profile of Manchester United target Karim Benzema.

Tony Cascarino predicts “problems in the not too distant future” for Ipswich Town and Roy Keane

Shaun Edwards preparing Lions for “three World Cup finals” against South Africa

More white on the night - with British Lions' coach Ian McGeechan expect the unexpected

Jeremy Guscott selects three England players in his Lions XV

Exclusive: Andy Nicol bemoans lack of Scots in line for British Lions selection

Paul O’Connell confirmed as British and Irish Lions captain to tour South Africa

Top 10 goalkeepers' goals – a viewing spectacular

Top 10 British sporting father and sons

Phil "The Power" Taylor: I can be darts champ for at least another 10 years

Labels: darts, football, rugby

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:56 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

HULL KR END STOOP HOODOO

Hull Kingston Rovers ended their Stoop hoodoo by defeating Harlequins 32-12 on Sunday afternoon. The away side, who had never before won in Twickenham, were four points down at the break but romped to victory with 28 unanswered points.

Quins drew first blood, scoring in the corner through Mat Gardner after 12 minutes. Skipper Rob Purdham converted but the Robins hit back four minutes later through Kris Welham.

Harlequins’ lock Chad Robinson crashed over in the 21st minute. But with 10 minutes of the half left Rovers’ winger and top scorer Peter Fox crossed for his ninth try of the season to give Quins a 12-8 lead at the break.

But Brian McDermott’s team lost influential scrum-half Danny Orr and prop Daniel Heckenberg to injury and the away side took charge six minutes into the second half when Paul Cooke went over and Dobson converted.

Hull KR then extended their advantage through Liam Colbon and when Ben Galea crossed for two converted tries the score raced to 32-12 to Hull KR with 10 minutes to go.

Robins coach Justin Morgan said: “In the second half we had a much better selection of plays.

“We kicked a lot better and we had some excellent individual performances. I don’t think too many teams will come down here and win.”

Disappointed Quins head coach McDermott added: “When you lose Danny Orr and a prop down it’s always going to be difficult. Credit to Hull KR - they were just smarter than us in the second half."

Harlequins: Chris Melling, Mat Gardner, Matthew Gafa, David Howell, Will Sharp, Luke Dorn, Danny Orr; Karl Temata, Chad Randall, Danny Ward, Chad Robinson, Luke Williamson, Robert Purdham

Interchange: Louis McCarty-Scarsbrook, Daniel Heckenberg, Jason Golden, Luke Gale

Tries: Gardner, Randall
Goals: Purdham 2 (2)

Hull KR: Daniel Fitzhenry, Peter Fox, Jake Webster, Kris Welham, Liam Colbon, Paul Cooke, Michael Dobson, Clint Newton; Ben Fisher, Scott Wheeldon, Stanley Gene, Ben Galea, Scott Murrell

Interchange: Jason Netherton, Charlie I'Anson, Makali Aizue, Michael Vella

Tries: Welham, Fox, Cooke, Colbon, Galea 2
Goals: Dobson 4 (6)

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:20 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

WORLD RECORD CRICKET AT A SILLY POINT - MOUNT EVEREST

Last week, on April 9, two cricket teams, largely made up of bonkers Englishmen, flew from London to the Himalayas to begin an 18-day trek, where a Twenty20 game will be played near to base camp of Mount Everest - at a staggering 5,165m.

It's just not cricket, I hear you cry! Well, it is. And the Guinness Book of Records have agreed that if the match, named The Everest Test, does go ahead, it will set a new world record for the highest altitude for a game of field sport.

Two years ago the Professional Cricket Association attempted something similar, raising £35,000 for charity, but the match was not recognised as it was only an eight over, six-a-side affair.

This year, however, there will be an eleven-a-side game, which will be held on the plateau of Gorak Shep, where there is only 66 per cent of the oxygen found at sea level. Takes your breath away, doesn't it?

The two squads, named Tenzing and Hillary after Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary who on May 29, 1953 became the first people to summit Mount Everest, have appointed honorary captains - England skipper Andrew Strauss and Test batsman Alastair Cook respectively.

They hope to raise an incredible £250,000 for The Himalayan Trust, The Lord's Taverners and the local Khumjung School. For more information on the charities, visit http://www.theeveresttest.com/legacy.php.

Check out their website (and a cool GPS tracking gadget) - http://www.theeveresttest.com - and the blog - http://www.atestabovetherest.com.

Labels: charity, cricket, Guinness Book of Records, Mount Everest

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

KANGAROOS AND SPIDERMAN AT LORD'S - FANCY THAT!

Read my Mirror.co.uk blog HERE.

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EVANS IN HUNT FOR SILVERWARE AT QUINS

Nick Evans has already had a memorable first season in England, having inspired London Harlequins to their best ever run in Europe’s premium competition, the Heineken Cup. Also Quins topped the Guinness Premiership last month for the first time since 2003 and, with the play-off semi-finals to be contested on May 9, look set for their best finish in the domestic league for years. But is has not all been plain sailing for the All Black stand-off.

On Easter Sunday Evans, who moved from the Highlanders last June, was crocked in Quins’ Heineken Cup quarter-final against Brian O’Driscoll’s Leinster – and his team lost out 6-5. The 28-year-old, who hyper extended his right leg in a first-half tackle, crunching his knee, was called back off the bench for the remaining five minutes of the bruising encounter, after two other fly-halves had hobbled off needing treatment.

Heavily strapped and in obvious pain, Evans was found by England scrum-half Danny Care in the pocket, and – through gritted teeth – he used all of his energy to unleash a drop-kick that would have taken his new team to the final four of the Heineken Cup for the first time in their history. Earlier in the season he had attempted a similar feat and laced the winning kick – “the ugliest I have ever taken!” – to inflict a superb double over French giants Stade Francais that made the rugby world jolt up and take notice.

But this time lady luck shunned him and the Heineken Cup fairytale ended. “The kick had the distance to go over but it just faded to the left,” says Evans. “I gave it everything. My knee was really sore, but it wasn’t the running around, it was the kicking; that’s pretty crucial for a fly-half. I came on in the last few minutes when Deano (coach Dean Richards) gave me the nod, and I gave it a crack. I was fortunate enough to get a chance – but it wasn’t to be.”

Evans hopes he can return in time for Quins’ Guinness Premiership semi-final, having had four weeks to ready his knee, and help his team challenge for the Guinness Premiership, a title that has so far eluded them. And with the young team bristling with self-belief, Evans believes that even if this year does not finish with silverware, it will not be far away and Harlequins will prove they have come of age – and he very much wants to remain at the heart of that.

He continues: “The game against Leinster provided a good learning curve for the club – now we know we can do it and compete against Europe’s best. We were unlucky, but sometimes that happens. It was new territory for the club and the players. We are growing up as a team and next time we will be wiser.

“Now we have to focus on the Guinness Premiership and securing our play-off place. We could not dwell too much on the Leinster defeat. There is every chance that my knee will settle down and I’m available for the semi-final.”

Musing on the two victories against Stade Francais, which he calls two of the best matches he has ever been a part of, Evans says: “Those sensational games feel even more special now – when I said that they were up there with the top five that I have ever played in, that was straight after the match.

“And now I have spoken to many of the fans and they have told me those games are two of the biggest in the club’s history – that has made it even more special. Hopefully we can kick on from those results and know that in big situations we can pull it out if we need to.”

In early December, in front of 76,000 partisan Stade Francais supporters, Evans laced five points in a shock 15-10 win. A week later, in much more inclement weather, Quins were losing 17-16 when, with normal time elapsed and after an amazing 29 phases, they battled their way into the French team’s 22 and gave Evans the opportunity to drop the winning goal – and he duly did.

He continues: “Those 29 phases were unbelievable – it was bizarre rugby. I’ve never been involved in anything like that before. And that’s what rugby is all about – that’s why people watch and love the game. It was a tough game and the weather was pretty awful but the crowd were sensational.

“It’s funny, those moments are what you play for – it was special. Initially those moments wash over you. First of all I was pleased that we had won those back-to-back games. It’s only when the fans come up to you and show their emotions – that’s when you see how special it really is.”

And after ten months in the capital, the former Auckland Blues stand-off is fully settled into London life, though he does miss his fishing off the coast of New Zealand. Away from rugby Evans relaxes by going to West End musicals – “the Lion King and Mama Mia were great, and helped broaden my cultural horizons!” – and catching Premier League football matches. “But I do miss the coast of New Zealand,” he concedes. “I would take a boat and go around the island off the coast, and completely relax away from rugby. But now I am fully settled here and I’m loving it.”

Evans is determined to win Quins trophies, and adds: “I’ve signed for three years and I am very happy at Quins. We have a young team but I think we have exceeded our goals this year. If we can keep going over the next few years hopefully we can pick up a trophy – that would be amazing.”

Labels: Guinness Premiership, Heineken Cup, London Harlequins, New Zealand, Nick Evans

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

EVANS HOPING QUINS CAN MAKE IT THIRD TIME LUCKY

Harlequins are hoping to make it third time lucky when they host Irish giants Leinster in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup on Easter Sunday. It is the first time in 11 years that the Londoners have reached the final eight of the competition – and they lost their last two quarter-finals to Leicester Tigers, who defeated them 23-13 in 1997, and Toulouse, 51-10 a year later.

But in All Black fly-half Nick Evans they have a genuine match winner, as evidenced by his performances in Quins’ superb double over Stade Francais in the group stages of the competition. The 28-year-old, who will run out at the Stoop having recovered from an ankle knock, is in confident mood and has urged his team-mates not to let history weigh down on them.

Auckland-born Evans, who joined Quins in the summer, said: “I hope I can help make it third time lucky. But we have a new, young team who don’t pay too much to history. We have already beaten teams that we supposedly shouldn’t have beaten – so for us the history book has been thrown out of the window.

“Leinster have internationals all over the field and we know it is going to be tough. But we are backing ourselves – we are here to win. We are motivated and our thought process has to be positive – we are not here to make up the numbers.

“We are safe to make the Heineken Cup for next year (confirmed by next week?) so we can have a really good crack at it this year. There is no reason why we can’t – we have exceeded all expectations already this year. No one thought we would get this far – it is massive for the club. There is a big buzz around the place and people have not been part of this for a long time.”

Evans picked out Irish centre and captain Brian O’Driscoll as the man Quins have to stop if they want to reach the semi-finals where they will face either Munster or Ospreys in early May. The 15-cap All Black continued: “I thought he had a fantastic Six Nations and showed what class he has, especially when the chips are down. In big games Brian delivers – we will have to concentrate on stopping him.

“He is one of those players who always gives 100 per cent – and New Zealanders look up to players like that and give them the kudos they deserve. He puts his body on the line and brings his A-game most of the time.”

Home advantage, Evans believes, will also play a significant part – Quins have only lost twice this season at the Stoop, both times to London Irish. “We have turned the Stoop into a fortress,” he said. “Leinster will have to play better than us to win – and if that happens we will take it on the chin, because we are at home we should go into the game with confidence.

“Even against a Leinster team who have fantastic players we should not be afraid of them. Though they have lost away a couple of times (to Wasps and Castres) they are a side who have been in this situation before. It’s new for us but we will just play the style of rugby that we know we can. Hopefully we can keep their fans fairly quiet and get our fans up."

Musing on the two victories against Stade Francais, Evans continued: “Those sensational games feel even more special now – when I said that they were up there with the top five that I have ever played in, that was straight after the match. And now I have spoken to many of the fans and they have told me those games are two of the biggest in the club’s history – that has made it even more special. Hopefully we can kick on from those results and know that in big situations we can pull it out if we need to. That belief will help us on Sunday.”

And after nine months in the capital, the former Auckland Blues stand-off is fully settled into London life, though he does miss his fishing. Away from rugby Evans relaxes by going to West End musicals – “the Lion King and Mamma Mia were great, and helped broaden my cultural horizons!” – and catching Premier League football matches.


But he determined to win Quins trophies, and added: “I’ve signed for three years and am very settled and very happy at Quins. We have a young team but I think we have exceeded our goals this year. If we can keep going over the next few years hopefully we can pick up a trophy – that would be amazing. If we win against Leinster we will be one step closer to achieving that – I hope we can play the game we want to play and get the result.”

Labels: Heineken Cup, Leinster, London Harlequins, Nick Evans

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

Daily Mirror work - I started on April 14

Javi Martinez profile: 10 things you need to know about the Liverpool target

Labels: Athletic Bilbao, Javi Martinez, Liverpool, Premier League, Spain

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

HODGSON HOPING TO MARRY PERSONAL SUCCESS WITH EXILE GLORY

While most Guinness Premiership clubs fought out Round 19 last weekend, and his resting London Irish team-mates monitored the progress of other play-off hopefuls, Paul Hodgson, using the backdrop of Dubai’s imposing skyscrapers and glorious beaches, bent his knee and proposed to his long-term girlfriend, Trudi.

The 26-year-old heard the answer he wanted and is now hopeful he can achieve double success by propelling the Exiles to domestic glory. Of the marriage proposal Hodgson grins: “I wasn’t nervous at all. I did it on the first night and then we went ring shopping the next day – that kept Trudi happy for the rest of the week!

“We are getting married some time next summer, but I will have to speak to the fitness coaches and see when an appropriate date is. Everything has to fit around rugby, which Trudi will have to get used to! My main goal now is to help bring London Irish some silverware this year.”

With three rounds to play Hodgson’s Irish sit third on 55 points, two behind Leicester Tigers, who slipped up at Newcastle, and four ahead of sixth-placed Sale Sharks. On Saturday they host bottom-placed Bristol – where the 5’ 8” scrum-half spent three formative years before moving to the Madejski in 2004 – knowing that a win is a must if their play-off hopes are to be realised.

“It is really tight at the top,” says Hodgson, who won his only international cap to date last March, coming off the bench in England’s RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland. “I still think six teams are in with a chance of making the last four.

“It has been topsy-turvy all season – if the league finished a week later I bet you would see a different top four. But we just have to look after ourselves. If we win all our remaining games then we will be there, in the play-offs, without a doubt – because other teams will drop points. We know that our destiny is in our own hands.”

Hodgson expects his former team, Bristol, to put up a good fight at the Madejski – and knows first-hand what new coach Paul Hull is capable of, having been coached by him for two seasons in the West Country club’s academy. “We might not have had the best XV on paper in the Bristol under-21s, but Paul got the best out of all of us,” continues the Epsom-born No9. “And that is his best attribute as a coach – he gives you confidence, knows how to unlock potential and is also good at being hard on the players when he needs to be.

“I can’t see any reason why he won’t be very successful as coach of Bristol. He is a Bristol man, too, so he will care as much as anyone else. Whether they go down or not he is the best man for the job there.”

When Bristol were relegated from the top division in 2003, Hodgson was convinced to stay at the club by Hull’s predecessor, ex-England scrum-half Richard Hill, as he was promised a starting berth. “That season I played 33 games in Division One – and I think that year was the most important of my rugby career,” Hodgson says. “I could not have had a better coach than Richard at that time. He played a big part in my career, that’s for sure. Richard has done an outstanding job at Bristol. He is very astute and his attention to detail was fantastic – he is a quality coach and he will succeed wherever he ends up.”

Bristol defeated Worcester Warriors 37-18 last Sunday and, after resurgence under Hull, Hodgson expects them to be tough opposition for London Irish. He adds: “Bristol may have almost gone down but you can guarantee that those players will be fighting 100 per cent to stay up.

“Anyone who is desperate is dangerous – so we will not underestimate them at all and not let complacency enter our game. We know that it is going to be tough and that we will have to be at the top of our game. It is no easy task to finish fourth, but we are confident and he boys feel rested and really ready for it.”

Labels: England, Guinness Premiership, London Irish, Paul Hodgson

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post

TERRY: WE MUST NOT CHANGE ROONEY

England captain John Terry has backed Wayne Rooney to use his passion for football and his country to help England have a successful week at Wembley.

Ahead of England's friendly at Wembley against Slovakia the centre-back, who is due to make his 50th appearance for the Three Lions on Saturday, backed the Manchester United striker to channel his aggression on the pitch.

The 28-year-old said: "Some players are born like that; with that passion and fire inside their belly. Wayne has certainly got that. I think if we try and take that away he won't be the player he is. He is world-class - let's let him get on with his football and let his football do the talking.

"He is still young, he is still learning - but what a player he is! Wayne knows his limits. We have seen him calm down over the years - he has grown up. He is playing well for Manchester United and England and that is the main thing we want.

"The key is to keep him fit, keep him well and keep him on the ball. If you get Wayne Rooney on the ball he can create all sorts. He scores goals and brings people in to play. If you keep him fit England have a great chance."

On the game on Saturday evening, which is due to attract a sell-out Wembley crowd, Terry added: "It has been a long time coming, but I'm delighted to hopefully getting my 50th cap for England. I have my family coming, so I am very much looking forward to it.

"We will go out fully-focused. We are playing well at the moment, but we had a little bit of a shock in our last game, against Spain (when England lost 2-0) - but that was an eye-opener and we can learn from that. We are looking to improve things at home in front of our home fans.

"The manager (Fabio Capello) does not treat friendlies lightly and neither will the players - we will going out there to win. They are top of their World Cup qualifying group and are going well. It is going to be a tough test. We can learn a lot about this game and take it in to Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine."

Labels: England, John Terry, Slovakia, Spain, World Cup 2010

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments | links to this post