Albert Tatlock

Sideways and down don't get a look in?

Big 'Wilco' freestanding sign up in the centre of Barcelona without any explanation as yet. In past years something similar heralded the Primevera headliners. So Wilco in Europe this summer? Hope it's not just festivals as far as the UK is concerned, assuming we get a look in. The alternative is that someone has been doing a bit of fly tipping after Solid Sound.

Some fantastic matches over the weekend and the quarter final lineup is revealed. Except for the missing England, the eight could have been predicted, but the combinations were in doubt until the death. New Zealand still looking a bit jittery under pressure on Friday night until pulling away from Tonga in the second half, but perhaps they will be peaking at the right time. They now face France, famously twice their nemesis in 1999 and 2007, and who they only beat by a single point in the previous final 4 years ago. France never looked like overcoming a storming Ireland, buoyed by a rocking I

The characteristic song of the English rugby supporters is the negro spiritual 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot', for reasons no one is entirely clear - not paralleling the Welsh supporters singing old hymns as a hangover from the devout methodist chapels in the valleys of days gone by (especially 'Bread of Heaven') that's for sure. You will hear it booming out across Twickenham from time to time. I subscribe to the theory that it originates from a drinking game with mimed rude actions to be performed while singing it. Anyway, hence 'you can stick your sweet chariot up your arse' etc. http://www.bb

Currently listening to Alice's Wunderland (sic) series 3 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03m3bhg Fans of Mighty Boosh and other warped comedies of the imagination should enjoy. Some other comedies:- Round the Horne The Sunday Format Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue Meet David Sedaris Old Harry's Game The Shuttleworths Bigipedia Revolting People All Bar Luke Milton Jones Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive Bleak Expectations Dave Podmore Ed Reardon's Week Gile Wemmbly-Hogg Goes Off Sarah Millican's Support Group Trevor's World of Sport Absolute Power As for ot

As is often the case, a pair of lesser sides fought out a great match in their own 'world cup final'. Romania stormed back from 15 - 0 down with half an hour to go to win 17 - 15. Also, Fiji played their last match, overpowering Uruguay in an entertaining match that saw Uruguay score a couple of tries themselves - their first in a World Cup since 2003. Tonight, South Africa look to secure their top of the group qualification against USA, while Georgia go for a third place finish in their group that would guarantee automatic qualification for the next world cup. They deserve it, and should b

A momentous weekend as hosts England crash out of the tournament to a brilliant Australian performance, which sees them installed as new favourites to win until such time as the All Blacks start firing on all cylinders. France are gathering their sense of purpose and are dark horses. Ireland scrapped their way to a win against Italy back to their obstinate selves with Paressi in the team, but Italy are now out. Argentina also looking strong and South Africa assured themselves of a quarter final place by smashing a deliberately weakened Scottish team. That might have been a mistake, since Scotl

A bruising hard fought and entertaining encounter in Cardiff saw Wales beat Fiji to ratchet up the pressure on England for Saturday versus Australia. However, Like Australia Wales missed out on a bonus point by only scoring two tries. Three additional ones were on offer but missed for a variety of reasons. That would surely have sunk England completely, but Wales were still showing signs of physical and emotionally fatigue after only 4 days rest since beating England. Still a hugely enjoyable time mixing with a surprising number of Fijians (including meeting injured Fijian monster Nemani Nadol

Obviously JT is trying to get into Tom Jones' good books ready for a duet invite in Australia next year. Big Bill Broonzy was a great early influence of Jones The Voice. Also ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akEC4UGX-8g Consider it a badge of honour.

Know exactly how you felt Ioan http://www.independent.co.uk/news/hollywood-actor-ioan-gruffudd-loses-his-mind-and-clothes-as-wales-beat-england-in-rugby-world-cup-a6669126.html Australia cruised to a routine win over Uruguay, though they did themselves credit. The Aussies will cut England to shreds unless England keep it tight and boring, and then the hosts would be out. Australia could equally well do the same to Wales, but if they have already beaten England then we would still get through bar a shoke result against Fiji on Thursday. I'm taking my old boots. Every remaining able bodied W

An epic day of tense anticipation. The passage of time was helped by an enforced morning in work then Canada being unlucky to loose to an Italy still struggling without Paressi. Then a nervous South Africa latched on to a breakaway try that calmed them and then allowed them to surge away looking if not at their barnstorming best then at least back in the top tier. Finally, In the words of a famous headline- We win! It was not a match for the rugby purist or casual fan, but gripping. Wales had no right to win, but England let a position of pressurised dominance slip through silly penalty errors

Team Ball Player Thing - full skit and song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwraWS6AHdg Kiwi charity single with lyrics apparently suggested by kids. With Peter Jackson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahm7j4lLl5U Sir Tom lends a hand

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/09/moments_from_wilcos_show_in_an.html This is about the best of the bunch

Indeed, the second tier nations always get a rough deal with scheduling. The tournament would otherwise be unfeasibly long and there is no easy answer. The only option for them is to get high enough up in the world rankings to get seeded, but in itself that is a bit of a closed shop since they don't get to play the tier 1 nations outside world cups often enough for that to be easy.

France picked up their second win in the evening to leave them a clash with Ireland away from topping the table. The Irish might have something to say about that as France stuttered against a determined Romania. Similarly, Fiji had the best of a second half against Australia but the Aussies did enough, although not enough to get a bonus point. The significance of that is yet to be determined. Wales might struggle against Fiji themselves next week. However, despite the All Blacks facing Namibia tonight in what is likely to be the greatest mis-match of the tournament, today is all about the

Half tIme: Scotland 12 Japan 7. Scotland have edged ahead with penalties but Japan look the more incisive, are moving the ball nicely, and have scored the only try. Still all to play for. EDIT: Thought I had added a subsequent post but obviously not saved it somehow. Scotland kept steady, unlike SA not conceding penalties and pouncing on the growing number of Japanese mistakes. From the point when Japan's No. 8 went off they were a spent force. Definitely faded in final quarter. They can still qualify via wins over USA and Samoa.

From the 'fan zone' (giant TVs outside the main ground) in Cardiff for those who want to be part of the atmosphere but don't have a ticket. The Millenium Stadium is right in the centre of the city. https://mobile.twitter.com/simonrug/status/645293912706392064

Enjoyed it. Lots of nice ideas and a few jokes. Also a reminder of old school chum David Baker - nickname Davros.

Not looking good for the boys in red as our injury nightmare continues with more problems after the Uruguay win, plus their tactical approach was particularly brainless and execution still way below par in what should have been an 80 point at elast margin. It is going to take a backs against the wall performance of Rorke's Drift proportions to avoid a defeat against England on Saturday. Meanwhile, USA lost to Samoa - my American brother in law (from St Louis) living in Cardiff is thinking about going to see their last match against Japan - who I am still buzzing over from Saturday. In the even

Japan had a penalty to go for the draw at the death, but they went for the win! http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/19/south-africa-japan-rugby-world-cup-2015-match-report http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11876935/South-Africa-32-Japan-34-match-report-Outstanding-Japan-pull-off-the-greatest-upset-in-World-Cup-history.html Official highlights:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghArmsJjQM Jumping around the room screaming at the TV time ...

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Japan take down the mighty Boks in their first ever world cup match win in over 25 years of trying. Fantastic scenes at the end. Try and catch the second half on youtube. As you can imagine Brits in the crowd took to the underdogs. Japan played smart precise rugby, retained possession brilliantly, and tackled their hearts out. SA muscled over for a couple of tries but were sloppy in conceding penalties that kept Japan within touch and kept them hopeful. The final 5 minutes were extraordinary. Earlier, another upset of a smaller scale when Georgia beat Tonga.

A mis-firing England overcome a determined but tiring and less well drilled Fiji, who squandered penalty points at important times. Was looking good for Wales as time ticked away without England scoring the fourth try for a bonus point, but they got it with the last play of the match. A sign of a good team to pull through when it counts. Not sure how many of tomorrows matches I'll get to watch live. France v Italy is the most evenly matched game for the recognised nations. Georgia v Tonga could be a nice one with little at stake in practise except pride for two evenly matched teams. On Sunda