JONES OMITS ASHTON FOR OZ TOUR

Eddie Jones confuses me. In contrast to the Culture Club that Stuart Lancaster ran when England coach, Eddie's Living on the Edge philosophy was quite refreshing, selecting players more on physicality, attitude and how streetwise they are. That is why I simply cannot understand why he has selected Marland Yarde over Chris Ashton to tour Australia. I am not Ashton's biggest fan as many know but he has scored 10 tries in 8 games for his club, by far the best team in Europe not just the UK. He was outstanding for Sarries in Lyon as was Andy Goode (although EJ didn't think so). Ashton has his issues, like Farrell and Marler, but there is no better player in his position currently, so why leave him at home. It is either a Development tour or a chance to beat Australia in their own backyard with your best team. I know Ashton's wife is expecting a baby at end of June and that may be the real reason for him not touring with the Normans, but let's not let the facts get in the way of a good post. Eddie is quite happy to include such lunatics as Dylan Hartley in the squad, who spend more time banned than playing these days, and helicopter in some Southern Hemisphere guy who has not even played for a Premiership club (registered...just), yet leave Ashton out, expecting Yarde to dominate the Australian back three. And how he can justify picking Ford at 10 ahead of Farrell is beyond me ... anyway, enough!

SCOTLAND AND CONNACHT DO A LEICESTER CITY

Yes I know Sarries are a great side who have had a wonderful season. I was in Lyon to watch their final which they won comfortably to take their first Champions trophy. And I know Exeter, Wasps and Leicester are also great teams, but there is other rugby going on in the UK which merits coverage. The English press column inches given to Connacht's achievements this season has been woeful, even this weekend, when having beaten Glasgow for the second time in a fortnight (admittedly at home) they now march onto the Pro 12 final to play the mighty Leinster. Most non Irish people have never really understood how Ireland can fund four professional teams, especially one based in Galway, with a 7,000 capacity stadium, full of journeyman from other clubs. But Pat Lam, the Samoan legend and Connacht coach, has done a marvellous job over a number of seasons culminating in them being the dominant Irish team this year from start to finish. If they win the Pro 12 it will be (almost) as good as Leicester City's title win. Let's hope that, despite the inevitable promotion of some of their players, like Robbie Henshaw, to bigger Irisher provinces next season, that Connacht's progress is not a one off.

Connacht beat Glasgow again to win tight game and make Pro 12 final

Likewise, Scotland Sevens team, who despite being 12th in the World Rugby rankings, won their first 7's crown in London beating Kenya, England (how sweet) plus USA on the way, and SA in the final. An achievement (almost) as good as Leicester City, etc ... I missed it live, but the three tries scored in the last 2 mins must have been a marvellous spectacle, crowned with Dougie Fife's winner after the hooter had sounded. Thrilling stuff, and it's a shame that more Tier 2 nations cannot repeat their achievement in the 15 a side game, dominated by its size, set piece and money.

I love the smell of heather in the morning, smells like victory

Again, coverage of the win was token in the English press, with the Telegraph squeezing it in almost as a support piece to a feature on the England 7's captain's injury. Don't get me started on Simon (English coach) Amos' English dominated selection for the GB squad, which doesn't look so exciting now England are so desperately short of form, having suffered easy defeats to Scotland in the last two tournaments. In my view there are too many 15 a side players in the squad, and not enough of the specialist 7's talent on show in London this weekend.

Great Britain Sevens Men Squad for Rio 2016: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Bibby (England Sevens), Tom Bowen (England Sevens), Phil Burgess (England Sevens), Sam Cross (Wales Sevens), James Davies (Scarlets), Alex Davis (England Sevens), Richard de Carpentier (England Sevens), Jamie Farndale (Scotland Sevens), Alex Gray (England Sevens), Charlie Hayter (England Sevens), Warwick Lahmert (England Sevens), Ollie Lindsay-Hague (Harlequins), Gavin Lowe (Scotland Sevens), Ruaridh McConnochie (England Sevens), Tom Mitchell (England Sevens), Luke Morgan (Wales Sevens), Dan Norton (England Sevens), Scott Riddell (Scotland Sevens), Mark Robertson (Scotland Sevens), James Rodwell (England Sevens), Joe Simpson (Wasps), Luke Treharne (Wales Sevens), Marcus Watson (Newcastle Falcons).