With the ‘pride of the nation’ competing in two World Cups and a European Championship Qualifier during October, it seemed a good opportunity to review just how well the boys wearing Three Lions (or Red Rose) are doing and whether they are, in fact still the ‘pride of the nation’.
At the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India, unfortunately, that would have to be a resounding ‘NO’.
As defending Champions, we entered the tournament full of hope and swagger, but defeats so far, to Afghanistan, New Zealand and South Africa have left England next to bottom of the table with little chance of qualifying for the next round – Only victories in each of the remaining games and a much improved run-rate can save us now.
In terms of the nations pride in our boys, this would have to be classed as a 1 out of 10…. There will be no open-top-bus parade being planned!!
Moving to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France – I think it is fair to say that never have an England team gone into a World Cup with lower expectations.
Tournament build up matches seemed to confirm that England were nowhere near good enough – physically, mentally and tactically, we seemed to be a huge distance behind the traditional ‘power-house’, of which we used to be one!!
However – can you believe it – The Red Rose wearing boys delivered way above the rugby worlds expectations and progressed to a tasty semi-final against World Champions, South Africa.
England dominated the game throughout the first half and into the second, but South Africa aren’t Champions of the World for nothing – a late, late penalty securing victory (much to their relief) and sending them into the final.
On the ‘pride of the nation’ scale, I think an unexpected 8/10 is appropriate.
Finally, on to the Three-Lion wearing footballers who faced their toughest opponent in the European Championships Qualifying group, Italy.
Having beaten the same opponents in Naples, earlier in the group stages, hopes were high for victory and England duly delivered with an impressive 3 -1 victory which secured both their qualifying group and qualification for next years tournament, with games to spare.
A ‘pride of the nation’ 9/10 for our footballers!!
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