In a word association test the psychologist presents a series of words to an individual, for each word given they are instructed to respond with the first word that comes to mind, Freud believed that such responses provided clues to people’s personalities.

Egg followed Bacon with many, as did cart with horse, but if the word Barbarians would have been offered it would surely elicit a three word response, Mickey Steele Bodger.

Mickey sadly passed away a few weeks ago, aged ninety three, Twickenham felt a little empty yesterday without his presence.

He had been on the Baa Baas committee since 1946, and president since 1988, a lot of Guinness has flowed under the bridge during that time, the drink that displayed the Barbarian colours was given ample endorsement by Mr President.

How proud and delighted he would have been to see the men’s and women’s teams grace the home of English rugby for the first time together, at the ground where he wore the red rose during an international career that spanned nine caps between 1947 and 1948.

Yesterday we said goodbye, yet we also said hello to rugby inclusion, it may seem a small thing but the Barbarians announced their men’s and women’s teams at the same time, and on the same tweet, a tiny detail but a huge step in terms of how the bright ever growing world of women’s rugby is developing, and just typical of the Barbarians to be the trend setters.

The sun shone from early dawn, and the balmy temperatures felt more like Tenerife than Twickenham, 17,902 spectator’s basked in the heat as they witnessed history being made, the Red Roses bloomed and the Baa Baas wilted, as the England forwards relentlessly knocked the stuffing out of them.

14-0 up after 19 minutes, England never looked like losing, and a 28-0 half time confirmed their ascendency.

The Barbarians had a much improved second half and at last put together some phases  putting pressure on the England defence, they clawed back two tries to make the score 28-14 before England pulled away again to take the score to 40-14 and a comfortable win was assured.

For old timers Rocky Clarke and Danielle Waterman, who have been the pathfinders for the women’s game, this history making Barbarians fixture may well be their last appearance at Twickenham, but thanks to them and many others along the way, the younger players and those yet to come will find matches like this will now be the norm.

I’m sure Mickey was looking down with a Guinness in his hand and smiling a smile of gentle satisfaction, as the club song tells us “For it’s a way we have in the Baa Baas and jolly good way too”.

At three o’clock on 31 May 1995, at Free State stadium, Bloomfontein, Japan faced Ireland in a rugby World Cup Pool C match.

As the match kicked off in front of 15,000 spectators, Japan fly half Sejii Hirao was about to play his thirty fifth and final international match for Japan.

Born in Kyoto on 21 January 1963, Hirao went on to play in three rugby world cups, his first as a nineteen year old in 1987, as Japanese captain in 1991, and finally in South Africa 1995.

Sadly Sejii Hirao passed away on 20 October 2016, at the ridiculously young age of 53, in hospital where he was being treated for an undisclosed illness.

One of the most popular Japanese players of all time, he was known in Japan as “Mr Rugby” he was so proud and honoured that his home country was chosen to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

After graduating from university in Japan he spent 1985 in England where he played for Richmond, following his joyous sojourn in Surrey he returned home and became Japan national coach from 1997 to 2000.

 An esteemed member of the world rugby hall of fame, he was looking  forward to his country hosting the next rugby World Cup, in 2019, with a mixture of intense pride and excitement.

As for that rugby World Cup match in 1995 at Bloomfontein, Sejii Hirao scored a try after fifty nine minutes, a match which Ireland went on to win 50-28.

Sadly Sejii will have to watch the tournament from a heavenly viewpoint but there is no doubt his shadow will cast an earthly warmth over Rugby World  Cup 2019.

From the Bay of Biscay to the River Tyne is a journey of 1,294 kilometres, La Rochelle swapped their Atlantic coastal home for the North Sea on Friday night, as they faced Clermont in the European Challenge Cup Final.

There are no direct flights between Charante-Maritime and Tyne & Wear, so the journey for supporters was not a simple or inexpensive one, when added to the extorniate hotel room charges the average fan was virtually priced out of the occasion.

Yet still they came, Newcastle was transformed into a sea of yellow as fans from both teams ebbed and flowed past St James Park, though on this occasion both yellow shirted teams decided on a change of strip, La Rochelle decided on black and white, perhaps in a horizontally striped tribute to the Magpies.

In fact the only men wearing yellow on the field of play were the match officials, headed by referee Wayne Barnes.

This was La Rochelle’s first major final, whilst Clermont’s record of ten defeats, in various finals over the last twenty years, was hanging over them in sword of Damacles fashion.

The boys from the Bay of Biscay did not play in the Top flight of French rugby until 2010, but were immediately relegated, they returned in 2015 and their rise has been rapid, with a Top 14 semi final berth in 2017, and a Champions Cup Quarter final last season.

But they were second best this time out, Clermont thoroughly deserved their win, La Rochelle had no answer to the their powerful driving maul, and in the end the Michelin men won with something to spare.

For the jaune et noir, Kevin Gourdon was immense, constantly breaking the gain line and offloading majestically.

Ouini Antonio scored La Rochelle’s only try a three metre rumble after which he was replaced, at 6ft 6 and close on 24 stone, presumably the distance got the better of him, as he left the field looking totally shattered.

Stade Rochelais are now established in the big time, and despite the hurt of this loss it will be a big learing experience to fuel them for further challenges to come.

The team will get a huge ovation at their next home game at Stade Marcel Deflandre, where the hard core fans, “Les Bagnards” will march from the city centre banging their drums as they go.

On 10 January 1941 Marcel Deflandre became president of La Rochelle, he joined the “Honor and Homeland” group of the French resistance in 1942, where he commanded the supplies and gasoline section. He was arrested on October 9 1943, and executed by the Nazis on 11 January 1944, sometimes the pain losing a European final needs to be put into some kind of perspective.

One thing is for sure Le Jeaune et Noir are here to stay and Bon Chance to all of them.

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It’s now been a week since Harlequins Ladies defeat to Saracens in the Tyrrells Premier Final at Franklins Gardens.

I’ve watched the match on you tube countless times this week, and the final score still won’t change, but I will keep on repeating the process until it does.

For players and staff thoughts have already turned to next season, one hopes the Barbarians team to face England women On June 2 will contain a few Quins, the Red Roses side most certainly will, before a bunch of them head off to San Diego to play in the Women’s World Series starting in late June, where England will face the world’s best.

So as we say goodbye to the 2018/19 season it is worth mentioning some facts about Quins Tyrrells premiership season that will either entertain you, or send you to sleep, so either way it’s a win-win for every reader.

For Harlequins Ladies pre season training is just a matter of weeks away, in reality the seasons are never ending these days, there is no doubt they have entertained and inspired rugby lovers of all ages, and they have done it with a smile on their faces, long May that continue.

MATCH RECORD 2018/19

Played 20 Won 15 Drawn 1 Lost 3

• Quins recorded 10 straight wins between 29 September 2018 and 12 January 2019.
• Quins first try of the season was a penalty try against Gloucester-Hartbury 10 mins into the opening game of the season.
• Emily Scot played in 17 of the 18 league matches.
• Quins are unbeaten at home since 3 December 2017.
• Quins scored 14 points in the final four minutes (Ellie Green scoring 9) to draw with Bristol Bears after being 26-0 down at half time.
• Rachael Burford scored a try in the first and last matches of the season.
• Heather Cowell scored a hat trick in 11 minutes against Bristol  (21,29 & 32 minutes)
• Quins were the only team to beat Saracens in 2018/19 (20-17 at the Stoop 20/10/18).

FULL LIST OF TRY SCORERS 2018/19 (120 TRIES SCORED)

• Heather Cowell   20
• Jade Konkel   11
• Davinia Catlin   10
• Shaunagh Brown   8
• Leanne Riley   8
• Emily Scott   8
• Fiona Fletcher   7
• Jess Breach   6
• Chloe Edwards   4
• Chloe Butler   4
• Vickii Cornborough   4
• Lucy Packer   4
• Penalty Tries   3
• Bethany Wilcock   3
• Georgia Newman   3
• Rachael Burford   3
• Beth Dainton   2
• Katy Mew   1
• Ellie Green   1
• Stacey White   1
• Zoe Saynor   1
• Deborah McCormack   1
• Charlie Wellbelove   1
• Tove Viksten   1
• Sarah Cornforth   1
• Kristine Sommer   1
• Leah Lyons   1
• Jade Mullen   1
• Sam McCarthy   1

REPRESENTATIVE APPEARANCES 2018/19

• Deborah McCormack   Scotland
• Jade Konkel   Scotland
• Leah Lyons   Ireland
• Emily Scott   England
• Jess Breach   England
• Abbie Scott   England
• Shaunagh Brown   England
• Leanne Riley   England
• Vickii Cornborough   England
• Rachael Burford   England
• Kristine Sommer   USA
• Ellie Green   England U20
• Chloe Edwards   England U20
• Beth Dainton   Army
• Alex Hardy   Army
• Jade Mullen   Army
• Bev Gilbert   Army
• Victoria Peterssen   Sweden
• Tove Viksten   Sweden

• Rachael Burford achieved her 80th England cap in 2018/19
• Deborah McCormack earned her 30th Scotland cap in 2018/19 against France in Lille
• Abbie Scott captained England against Wales in Cardiff in the 2019 Six Nations
• Jess Breach was top try scorer in the Six Nations with 9 tries for England

Sunday April 29 2018, with 81:16 on the clock Quins are on the attack, trailing 24-20, one score and the title would surely be theirs, one bounce of the ball, one refereeing decision could change everything, but a knock on just outside Saracens twenty-two brings the game to an abrupt and gut wrenching end.

That blustery icy cold day at Ealing will never be forgotten by Quins and their fans, or indeed by this correspondent.

The team and management vowed, almost immediately, that they would return for the 2019 final, and the disappointment of that day has been a huge motivating factor this season, and they have been true to their word.

So a year later and some eight five miles further north, from last year’s venue, the 2019 final is just days away one thing that hasn’t changed are the protagonists, Harlequins Ladies and Saracens women.

Last years try scorers Holly Jane Myers, Jess Breach and Deborah Mc Cormack are all in contention for a place in the Quins squad looking for revenge,but there will be host of new faces lining up at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday evening.

There is no doubt that Quins are a much better side than the one that came up just short in 2018.

The depth of the squad is now incredibly impressive, and this season they have learned how to win ugly displaying both the beauty and the beast.

With Jess Breach and Heather Cowell on the wings tries are never far away, Rachael Burford is the glue that holds everything together in defence and attack, and Leanne Riley is one of the best scrum halves in the game.

Up front Jade Konkel comes at you like a runaway train, and if she can’t get you then Shaunagh Brown most definitely will.

At lock Quins are blessed with world class international personnel from England Scotland and Australia in the form of Abbie Scott, Zoe Sayner, Debs McCormack and Chloe Butler, whilst the front row will either bludgeon or frighten you to death, Leah Lyons, Vickii Cornborough & Davinia Catlin have scant regard for the Geneva convention and don’t take any prisoners.

So when Saturday comes everyone’s hopes and dreams wll be condensed in to eighty minutes or so of rugby, but win or lose one thing that won’t change is the character of those involved with Harlequins Ladies, a group of people who have welcomed me for the last two seasons, they’ve eaten all my welsh cakes but have also helped me through some very difficult times, in the process they have become become my friends, and it’s worth remembering whilst trophies  gather dust, memories last forever, but let’s get that trophy as well please.

So from that first training session at acmosquito infestested Surrey Sports Park  in July we find ourselves awaiting curtain up on the final act, the twentieth match of the season, for all our sakes I hope the fat lady will be singing a Quins aria long before the clock hits 81:16

With love respect and thanks to Debs, Jade K, Vicky P, Gary, Karen, Ali, Merrick, Matt, Michele, Ash, Gilly, Dawn, Harry, Graham, Marc, Rachael, Beth, Leanne, Ellie G, Ellie M, Emily, Jess, Heather, Khadi, Charlie, Zoe, Shaunagh, Leah, Vickii, All The Chloe’s Abbie, Tove, Jade M, Alex, Tash, Jenny, Courtney and of course Gary and Karen, and everyone of the gang.

In Greek mythology Zeus, the most powerful of the Olympian gods, was the master of the thunderbolt, Cyclops the men of the golden race gave him the weapon.

In yesterday’s Tyrells Premier semi final between Harlequins Ladies and Loughborough Lightning, at Twickenham Stoop, the away side produced some glorious flashes, but it was Quins that provided the thunder that ultimately won this contest.

Their line speed, and defensive brilliance constantly drove back Lightning, Khadidja Camara. the Quins centre had more hits than Take That, she tackled everything that came her way.

If there were to be a Greek goddess of back row forwards then Jade Konkel would fit the bill perfectly, scoring two tries, battering the gain line constantly, and she came off the field exhausted and battered  justifiably won the player of the match award.

At full time the teams looked absolutely shattered, both sets of players had given absolutely everything, Hypnos the greek god of sleep was not be required last night.

1,265 turned up on a cold afternoon at the Stoop, it appeared that another greek god, Boreas, the god of the north wind, had provided an icy accompaniment to proceedings, but it didn’t take long for things to warm up on the field of play.

Quins scored first through Jade Konkel in the 4th minute, two minutes later Carys Williams, who looked dangerous throughout scored a sparking try for Lightning to levels the scores at 5-5.

Jade Konkel got her second try on 38 minutes, and an Ellie Green conversion gave Quins a 12-5 lead at half time.

Twelve minutes into the second half Vickii Cornborough powered over for a try converted by Ellie Green, and on 69 minutes Leanne Riley’s quick thinking earned her a well deserved try once again the conversion was supplied by Ellie Green.

Megan Davey got a consolation try for Lightning on 78 minutes, but the game was won by that stage,

This was a clash of the titans, the physical contest was immense and the hits ferocious, both sides suffered injuries and at one stage the pitch resembled a battle field, we can only hope that Apollo, the greek god of healing will assist to ensure Quins are at full strength for the final in two weeks.

Quins now face Saracens in the final, at Franklins Gardens, on April 27, a repeat of last years final, it may well be worth getting in touch with Fortuna, the greek goddess of good fortune, it certainly can’t do any harm.

Like a holiday romance the time has come to pack our bags and head home to reality, the grand slam party is finally over, and we are leaving with a doggy bag crammed full of memories and images.

Our Grand Slam T-shirts have been pre-ordered, and Welsh fans the world over are desperately attempting to find affordable flights to the land of the rising scrum for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

So as the paracetamol is finally put back in the medicine cupboard, it’s time to look at what happens next for Wales.

It’s hard to believe that Wales last lost a game of rugby on 24 February 2018, and after fourteen consecutive wins they will remain unbeaten until at least August 11th 2019.

Warren Gatland’s last match in charge of Wales is a moveable feast, (or famine), at the moment, depending on how far the men in red progress at the Rugby World in Japan.

Welsh players will get four weeks off, regardless of when their season ends, then in July the Wales squad head to Flesch in the Swiss Alps living at 2,250 metres above sea level, but training at 1000 metres, the reduction in oxygen that occurs make their bodies more efficient, it is also likely to be extremely hot during July.

Wales then return to the UK for two matches against England, before heading out to a warm weather training camp at Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey, this will be a week long trip scheduled around 19-25 August, the players families will fly out to join them for the latter part of the week,

Wales then return home to face Ireland in Cardiff on 31 August after which the final World Cup squad of thirty-one players is revealed, Wales then go to Dublin on 7 September for their final warm up game.

The Welsh squad depart for Japan on Wednesday 11 September to commence a five-day training camp at Kitakyushu, before heading to Tokyo for the opening World Cup pool match against Georgia on Monday 23 September in Aichi.

Further Pool games follow against Australia in Tokyo on September 29, Fiji in Oita on October 9, and finally Uruguay in Kumamoto on 13 October.

Heather: Definition

1. A purple flowered Eurasian Heath that grows abundantly on moorland and heathland.

2. A try scoring machine that inhabits grassy areas capable of destroying any defence once in full flight.

Heather Cowell of Harlequins Ladies is having one heck of a season.

As the club prepare for a Tyrrells Premier semi final against Loughborough Lightning she finds herself the team’s top try scorer, with twenty touchdowns.

Her exploits include three hat tricks one of which was achieved in 11 minutes against Bristol on 1 December 2018, touchdowns in the 21st, 29th and 32nd minute gave her the fastest hat trick ever recorded in the Tyrrells Premiership.

Heather has already scored four tries against Loughborough Lightning this season, two in the away encounter, and two at Surrey sports park in the return match.
Another brace at the Stoop next Sunday, in the Tyrrells Premiership semi final would be most welcome.

Heather Cowell’s Twenty

1. Loughborough Lightning 78mins 22/9/18

2. Loughborough lightning  79m  22/9/18

3. Worcester Valkyries 50m. 13/10/18

4. Saracens 67m. 20/10/18

5. DMP Sharks. 24/11/18

6. Bristol 21m. 1/12/18

7. Bristol 29m. 1/12/18

8. Bristol 32m. 1/12/18

9. Loughborough lightning 6m. 8/12/18

10. Loughborough lightning 69m. 8/12/18

11. Waterloo. 12m. 15/12/18

12. Waterloo. 23m. 15/12/18

13. Waterloo. 17m. 15/12/18

14. Worcester Valkyries 9m 22/12/18

15. Worcester Valkyries 20m 22/12/18

16. Saracens. 31m. 12/1/19

17. DMP Sharks 4m. 23/3/19

18. DMP Sharks. 38m. 23/3/19

19. DMP Sharks 45m. 23/3/19

20. Gloucester-Hartbury 14m. 30/3/19

We’ve seen many memorable days at the stoop, but this was surely one of the very best.

It felt more like Tenerife than Twickenham on Saturday, as the barometer hit 20 degrees, even Chloe Butler Quins favourite Aussie was melting.

A 4,837 record crowd for a women’s club game serenaded Harlequins Ladies to a 62-0 win over Gloucester-Hartbury ,a victory that guarantees them a home Tyrrells Premier semi final against Loughborough Lightning.

The police dogs from the Met were there on display ,their tails wagging at this great occasion,and as for Quins, their tails were certainly up, inspired by the vocal support that reverberated around the stoop they were like a dog with a bone from the first whistle, although dogged defence from Gloucester-Hartbury kept the home side out until the 14th minute when a brilliant finish from Heather Cowell, her 20th of the season, got the scoreboard moving.

They  extended their lead (subtle dog reference there !) when Vickii Cornborough crashed over on 21 minutes.

The tries rained a brilliant in and out from the Chichester Express Jess Breach allowed her to race in a long range try that was so rapid it set off the speed cameras on the A317.

A half time lead of 31-0 was extended on 46 minutes when Jade Konkel,the monster from the Black Isle, crashed over on 46 minutes followed by the melting Aussie, Chloe Butler on 57 minutes.

A spot of walkies for Khadidja Camara and Rachael Burford, after they both received yellow cards in quick succession, did nothing to stem the Quins tide.

Davinia Catlin scored two tries in five minutes to take Quins past fifty points, before Super sub Deborah McCormack put the misery of an injury ridden season behind her and bulldozed over for the the most popular try of the day.

Whilst the try scorers grab the glory the metronomic boot of Ellie Green notched up 13 points through a penalty and five conversions, her incredibly consistant performances continue to be a major factor in Harlequins success.

As the Met Police Alsatians headed for their tea, Winalot would appear to be something that they have in common with Harlequins Ladies…..Bon appetit everyone.

A young  boy swathed in a red and white scarf his eyes wide with wonderment was firmly grasping his father’s hand as they walked slowly almost dazed down Westgate Street, after an epic game of rugby between Wales and Ireland on Saturday.

His face was pale and drawn with the emotion of it all, once he regains his strength, this will be a day he will remember for the rest of his life.

Most Welsh rugby fans will have a similar memory, and how lucky are we to own such a wonderful treasure, my generation have the seventies 71, 76 and 78 when we first experienced that wonderful sensation of a Welsh Grand Slam.

Our cranial YouTube channel can instantly recall Barry John’s broken nose, JPR’s shoulder barge on Gourdon, and in a week when storm Gareth hit the UK, I can recall another Storm Gareth, Edwards the Knight , dropping a towering drop goal to seal a slam.

That young boy who thankfully had some colour returning to his cheeks, by the time he reached St Mary street, will have a similar treasure chest to carry through his life although of course his recall will be aided by Instagram Facebook Twitter and snapchat where he can instantly re run the action.

His triple treasures span 2008, 2012 and 2019 and if he is old enough maybe even 2005

As the wind howled and the rain cascaded on to the streets of the Welsh capital he no doubt  began to download the mental images that will be recalled time and time again throughout his lifetime, of Alun Wyn Jones swathed in bandages majestically striding his field of dreams, of hymns and arias and bread of heaven echoing around the stadium, loud enough to shatter his eardrums.

For those of my generation who can remember every minute details of matches in the sixties and seventies, yet cannot recall why they went into the kitchen ten minutes ago, this slam brings tears to the eye, a tear for the present, a tear for the past, and a tear for those no longer here to share it with us.

One thing that spans the generations is that on Saturday night, as storm Gareth rattled the window panes and the wind rustled in the trees, we all enjoyed a joyous cosy sleep only interrupted by the images of Hadleigh, Alun Wyn and the other heroes clad in red  living out or our dreams.

A grand slam is a wonderful thing indeed, and as Van sang “My mamma told me there’d be days like these”, but she didn’t tell us they’d be this good.