WALES again look like the team to beat in this year’s Six Nations after vanquishing England 23-15 in an entertaining clash at the Millennium Stadium, but the events in the pub across the road were of far more interest.
Four of the victorious Welsh squad, including uber-twat Gavin Henson were rebuked by management after admitting to “varying degrees of regrettable conduct” in the Queen’s Vaults pub in Cardiff city centre.
But anyone hoping for the kind of legendary through-the-night drinking that would have won them a place in the hearts of every proud Welshman was disappointed when they heard what actually happened.
Firstly, police were called at 9.15pm and Henson was just making a tit of himself after a few too many Pina Coladas rather than swallowing another man’s sick after downing bottles of aftershave and turps.
His ‘disgraceful behaviour’ amounted to Charlotte Church’s missus messing about with pool balls on the three tables in the pub and being abusive when anyone took issue with him.
Another man who videoed Henson on his mobile said the player tried to grab the phone, and when full-back Lee Byrne carried Henson out he started throwing (Charlotte’s) cash around, telling people to take it.
After such a poor display, Welsh fans with be hoping gurning Gavin remains injured as they try and defend their title ahead of main rivals Ireland, who earned an impressive 38-9 win over Italy, and France, who bounced back by beating brave Scotland 22-13. England just aren’t worth discussing.
SPORT ROUND-UP
• RAFAEL Nadal proved he is the sweetest guy in the world by saying he feels he will eventually lose his world No1 spot to Scottish sulker Andy Murray, but we suspect that he just knows full well he won’t.
The Spanish star spoke after being beaten by Murray in the final of the AMB AMRO World Indoor Tournament in Rotterdam.
The Scot looks sure to take over as world No 3 from Serbia’s Novak Djokovic within the next few months. 
That would confirm Murray, 21, as the top Brit since official rankings began as neither Tim Henman nor Greg Rusedski rose above fourth.
It’s funny though how Nadal wins his titles at the Grand Slams in global cities like Melbourne, Paris, London and New York, while the tartan twat wins his trophies in places which feature in annoying Beautiful South songs from 1995.
Nicey, nicey Nadal said: “Andy is already having a good season. He won in Doha, he lost in the fourth round in Australia, but against a very good Fernando Verdasco, and he won here in Rotterdam.
“He is No 4 in the world now and he can be better because he has not many points to defend from here to Wimbledon so he can improve his ranking more. Sure, he is good and he can be No 1, No 2, No 3 – I don’t think it will be a problem.”
Murray has won 10 career titles already with seven of them coming indoors. For anyone who doesn’t know too much about tennis here’s a hint, they don’t play proper tournaments indoors.
Maybe he should take up snooker or darts.
In other men’s tennis news, former world no1 and Parisian Amelie Mauresmo won her first title for almost two years by beating Elena Dementieva 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 at the Open GDF Suez in the French capital.
• USAIN Bolt showed that anyone running less than a mile need not bother turning up for the next ten years as the Olympic 100 and 200m gold medallist began his year with an easy win – over 400 metres.
The 22-year-old found it easy Jamaica switch to the longer distance.
• KUDOS to Anthony Kang who scooped US$2million and the biggest win of his career by claiming the Maybank Malaysian Open title.
Kang birdied the final hole to claim a one-stroke victory and avoid what would have been a five-way play off.
If we had US$2m to blow in South East Asia, we’d hop across the border to Bangkok and celebrate with a far more enjoyable fiveway.
Heavy rain proved to be a golden shower for Dustin Johnson who won the Pebble Beach Pro-Am after the final round was washed out.
LEGENDS LIVE
IT was with great sadness that we heard the horrible news this week that the re-assuring sight of a white haired, slightly cross-eyed gent in a cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige jacket saying: “Morning everyone, welcome to the SCG” will be no more after next year.
Yes, Richie Benaud, the greatest living Aussie will finally put down the mic at the end of next season in his 80th year, almost half a century on from his retirement and the award of an OBE for his services to cricket.
A 63-test career, including 28 as a revered captain, featured 2201 dashing runs and 248 wickets with his leg spin.
But it’s as a broadcaster that he’ll be best remembered.
An erudite natural with an understated approach and ability to sum up a game in just a few choice words, Benaud is still witty under pressure and possesses a collection of amazing anecdotes.
In short, he is the voice of cricket and is almost like a family member to most Aussies.
He became just as well known as a commentator in England for the BBC and was an integral part of the team for the famous 2005 Ashes series on Channel 4.
His secret for success? “Put your brain in gear and if you can add to what’s on the screen do it, otherwise shut up.”
If only fuckwits like J Motson, J Pearce, C Tyldesley, D Pleat and M Lawrenson took note the world would be a better place.
