Simply Red topped the bill at our recent Six Nations Nordoff Robbins Charity Dinner at the Royal Lancaster hotel, Hyde Park; they were fantastic!

Well it’s taken me a few days to put pen to paper since the Six Nations Championship Dinner – I enjoyed far too much sauce and, at my age, takes far too long to recover!  This  annual event, sponsored by Entertainment UK raises funds for Nordoff Robins Music Therapy and this year the dinner also paid tribute to the great gentleman of rugby – Matt Perry.

I am telling you – it was such a great night.  I know, I have mentioned some great nights in the past, but this was up there too.  SO many players turned up to support Matt Perry, including many of his Bath colleagues, Danny Grewcock, Steve Borthwick, Butch James, David Flatman, Mark Regan, Lee Mears………..the list goes on and there were also some of the old……well slightly older (I guess I fall into this category and I don’t want to appear too old!) players such as John Hall ********** 

There is always a surprise guest at the dinner and this year it was Simply Red who were simply AMAZING.  That man can SING!  Mick Hucknall and friends played some favorrites including Money is too tight to mention, Stars, Holding back the years and guests were blown away. 

The dinner was a sell out – in fact anyone interested in coming next year should book early.  We ended up turning bookings down as there simply was not the space.  People who came will tell you – this year the room was packed.  And I guess most importantly of all, we ended up raising some significant funds for Norfoff Robins Music Therapy.  I have supported this charity for years, and I know that there are so many worthwhile causes out there, but these guys do some incredible work which really makes a difference peoples lives.

It's been a very restful Xmas period spent sleeping on a beach in Koh Samui, enjoying fine Thai cuisine, diving and massage - what a contrast from the last 4 months on the go with RWC, Dubai 7s and Las Vegas for the Hatton Fight. I am now ready for the onslaught of the annual 6 Nations Championships.

Whillst I was away it gave me great pleasure to read that my old club, Bath, maintained the 17 year record of smashing Gloucester at the Recreation Ground. By all accounts, Gloucester's pack failed to turn up. My only regret is that I failed to do a double or quits on an old bet with my mate Steve Jones, a committed Shedhead - the last time Gloucester came to the Rec, I hosted him and 19 other Gloucester fans in the VU Box. Gloucester were ahead and looked unstoppable and Bath had 13 men on the pitch, two were sin binned. At this stage, Steve arrogantly laid a bet that who ever lost would entertain the other plus partners to a curry anywhere in the world! With boisterous pressure from the rest of the shedheads in the box I had no option but to accept. When the fat lady sang, Bath were ahead! I am still to claim my prize so all suggestions welcomed.

Ashton named his 32 man squad for the 6 Nations and has gone for the conservative approach which is no surprise considering his short term tenure. If the RFU had been bold enough, like other nations, to confirm his appointment until the next RWC then I am sure we would have seen him taking a different approach.

I was very surprised that Josh Lewsey was omitted. I thought his performances at RWC warranted inclusion  but I am excited by the inclusion of the giant Gloucester wing Vainikolo. His speed and power is awesome and will add another dimension to England's attack - an area that needs an injection of life! More on selection and 6 Nations once the team is announced.

I am looking forward to next couple of months with weekends in Rome, Edinburgh and Paris and hopefully see someone of you there!