When you think of professional rugby players you think of burly, tough, man-mountains who are not afraid of sticking their heads in where it hurts.

And the English national team is no exception, packed, as it is, with men you would certainly want on your side in any bar room brawl. Or even a bar room slight disagreement for that matter.

How strange then, that Brian Ashton’s revitalised team have found inspiration for their sudden improvement in World Cup form from non other than country and western singer Kenny Rodgers.

Following their victory over Australia they will take on France today in the semi-final. But not before they have listened to the ageing crooner at full volume in their dressing room.

For reasons known only to themselves, they have picked Roger’s song The Gambler as their theme tune for the tournament and are using it to inspire them in their pre-match preparations.

Your would have thought men who could rip a telephone directory in half with one hand while lifting a small car with the other would have opted for something a bit more lively. Like rock or heavy metal for example.

But no. Country and western it is for the big boys and, heck, it seems to be working so why not? If it ain't broke, don’t fix it, as Kenny probably sang.

McClaren’s side

Turning to the other English national side in action today, I have to admit I am expecting big things from McClaren’s side as they take on Estonia.

Following their back-to-back impressive wins last month today’s match at Wembley should be a relative walk in the park.

Traditional injury worries aside, England should have more than enough in the tank to make light work of their much more limited opponents.

In fact, I won’t even talk about today’s game any more than that. It’s Wednesday’s match against Russia that is the toughie.

Let’s just hope England can do their job today without losing any more key players for that crunch game.

But, with McClaren’s luck in that department, don’t hold your breath.

Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock is back in business.

The former Sheffield United manager has taken over at Crystal Palace and will now set about reviving another club’s fortunes as he has so many times in the past.

There are, according to internet chat, a few Palace fans who are entirely underwhelmed by the appointment. Well, my advice to you is don’t be.

Warnock isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, I would go as far as to suggest he is one of the top two or three most unpopular managers in the entire industry.

But not if he is in charge of your team.

The man has passion oozing out of every pore. He is determined, experienced and a motivator of truly spectacular proportions. Sure, he will wind up opposing teams now and then. But only for the right reasons.

In all my years of supporting the Blades he has been the manager I have most been able to relate to. And Palace fans need to realise that he could very well be the man to take them back to the big time.

His football won’t be pretty. His methods won’t be traditional. But, by God, he will get the results.

And that, at the end of the day, is what being a football manager is all about.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Sickening quote of the week has to go to Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. The fleet-footed star got a whack in the eye playing against Roma last week and it left him with quite a nice shiner. But even that hasn’t dampened his cockiness.

“I don’t like to look like this, but in four or five days I will be beautiful once again,” he said, without a hint of irony.

If that man had just a tiny bit more ego Manchester United would have to allocate it a shirt number.

Meanwhile, over in the world of Formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone was busy showing that just because you run a sport doesn’t mean you have be even impartial.

“It is painfully obvious to me that the right guy to be world champion is Lewis. In fact, my main fear would be if he didn’t win it. Kimi Raikkonen barely talks to anyone and, as such, has done little for the sport. And as for Fernando Alonso, in two years as world champion he has done nothing,” he said.

Funny old game this motor racing. Can you imagine FA chief Brian Barwick getting away with saying something like that about the Premiership? I didn’t think so.

Millwall fans

Finally, chant of the week has to go to Millwall fans who decided it was time to take the mickey out of their opponent’s full-back Danny Jackman who is only just over five-feet tall.

“You’re supposed to be a gnome!” they sang.

Cruel, but very funny nonetheless.

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