So a festival of rugby awaits those going to sample the culinary delights of Lyon in a couple of weeks time, with Sarries squaring up against Racing Metro 92 in the European Champions Cup Final on the Saturday evening, and Harlequins facing Montpelier the day before in the Challenge Cup Final. A great blend of French v English, although Montpelier could play in the Super 18, based on the number of Saffers they have in their side. I think, despite Dan Carter, Saracens will have too much for Racing, and Montpelier, going great guns in Top 14, will just pip Quins. I will be there, ensconced in some bouchon somewhere, savouring the finest St Joseph someone else's money can buy.
Can Bristol finally make it back in the Premiership after 17 seasons of disappointment in the Championship (well it feels like it). They have a considerable points advantage over Bedford going into next weekend's semi-final second leg, and, assuming they beat Yorkshire Carnegie at home, should play Doncaster in the final. This will make it a 1st v 2nd in the table clash, and Bristol should win (but as I said, we have been ...etc)
Rob Andrew has finally been fired, and replaced by Nigel Melville, who returns from running USA Rugby on Colorado. Mr Teflon, as he was known, has somehow survived the English rugby debacles of the last 10 years, including the managerial appts of Andy Robinson, Martin Johnson and Stuart Lancaster, plus RWC 2015 early group exit.
And Ruaridh Jackson is having to leave Wasps to find more regular rugby with Harlequins next season, as Danny Cipriani moves South to act as understudy at Wasps to Jimmy Gopperth. Ruaridh was awesome early season and it is a shame that he has to move on. Cips was a Wasps legend first time around, before his injury, but time is against him and I can't see him getting regular starts with Gopperth on form. And Bath have fired their Japanese no.8 Mafi, after a bust up with the physio, so having lost both, Neal Hatley to England, and a tight game v Saints last weekend, not a good end to a bad season for the "money boys".
