Take, for instance, last Saturday when, due to late call-off's my Reading 1st team management were scrabbling around at the very last minute to get someone to fill the bench places for their tough league match at Windsor.

They had already been forced to make some important late changes due to last minute unavailability and, as a last resort, they had to pull poor 46-year-old wing Andy Silvey out of the bar, having had a couple of pints already, to make up the numbers!

He didn't complain though as it was his first team debut this decade!! Could that be a record?

Talk about `The Art of Course Rugby', for those that remember the book, it would be funny if it really wasn't so serious.

I know it's a very fluid society we live in these days and we have to accept that. But what about club loyalty and not letting your team mates down? Where's that gone?

OK, rant over and well done to the lads that did turn out last Saturday as they put up a mighty rear-guard action against Windsor at Home Park where they were 31-0 down after just 15 minutes before clawing their way back into the game and eventually going down 38-26.

It was certainly an eye-opener for 17 year-old Colt fly half Matt Smart making his first-team debut and who was forced to grow up very quickly.

He had a wonderful game and certainly didn't look out of place and even scored the opening try to leave us trailing 31-5 at the break.

And there was a strong performance from another youngster, Ryan Smith, who came on at second-row but later moved to the back-row while, overall, the team effort was superb and their scrummaging was awesome.

Unfortunately the 2nds, weakened by call-ups, lost 50-0 away to Bracknell but well done to the 3rd team who drew 17-17 with Bicester in a full-on game at Holme Park.

Saturday also saw the arrival of the Women's World Cup, accompanied by a couple of the winning England Women's team, to Holme Park. Around 160 people came down to meet them which was very pleasing to see.

Elsewhere, well-done to our neighbours Redingensians who bounced back from their defeat at Newton Abbot to beat Old Centralians 22-10 and increased their points margin to five at the top of the National Three South West table.

Sadly, in Aviva Premiership action my boys Bath lost 21-13 at home to Northampton Saints, while London Irish also went down 12-6 at home to Leicester Tigers.

This weekend, of course, we're back to the RBS Six Nations Championship with Scotland taking on Italy on Saturday (2.30pm), which should go the Scots' way if they play like they did against Wales, who have their work cut out against France in Paris at 5pm on Saturday.

England, of course, are in Dublin to face holders Ireland where, I'm pretty sure, England will have the edge on them especially if Jamie Joseph can turn on the magic!

Have a cracking weekend!