I was on the bench for England v Australia in 1975 at Twickenham and then again in Brisbane later in the year. On New Year's eve in 1975 I received a telegram to go straight to Twickenham as I would be playing on New Year's day v Oz as David Duckham had failed a fitness test. I went home to bed and drove down at six the next morning only to be told at our Richmond hotel he might play afterall. He did and so I drove up to Bedford to play for them instead.
So, I have a soft spot for England's games against the Wallabies.
Yesterday with Daisy, her best friend Liberty and her Dad, Stephen (an Ozzie) we joined friends in the ERIC bar and restaurant underneath the West Stand for the game. Andrew Bibby and John Webster were my guests (we all played in the Centenary Varsity match in 1981) but we also met Simon Halliday, Paul Ackford, Brian Moore, Mike Beese and Ian Robertson all former international players.
England were well below par whereas Australia played at the edge of their abilities and deservedly won 20-14. We simply so not have a half back partnership which can find a route one across the gain line.