Edinburgh...

If you’ve ever sold life insurance, the great thing now is that whatever job you do in the future, it’ll always be better than that. It’s opposite to being born and always lived in Edinburgh, because then, there’s nowhere in Britain that you’re going to be able to move, without longing to be back there.

So what’s special about this city? It’s more like a large town, certainly not what you imagine a city to be. Everything centres on Princes Street, which stretches from the west end, to the east, with the gardens to the right and shops to the left, all overlooked by the towering castle, which seems to have a history of being some fortification or another ever since man stood on earth. Every nationality, religion and food is represented in Edinburgh, and after living there for 10 years, I never ran out of things to do or places to go. When you think you've eaten everywhere, some premises close down and new ones open with fresh ideas. The pubs are constantly evolving also, though you can still find the 'old fashioned' bars where they lock up at midnight and the bingo and raffles start.

Rugby is just one of the festivals of fun hosted by the city every year. Films, books, comedy, military, science, jazz the list seems just endless, and perhaps the two most famous, the Fringe Festival and Hogmanay. I could go for hours on this gem of a place, but if you want detail try...

http://www.edinburgh.org/ ... you’re in for a treat.

The rules change on a rugby weekend, you can enter pubs and even posh restaurants wearing things that would see you turned away on any other day. I once stood in a queue outside an Irish bar, everyone wearing rugby tops and others dressed as skeletons, dwarfs, priests and Trekkies, to name but a few! My friend, ‘Man U Dave’ was refused entry because he was wearing his football top! Luckily I had 4 layers on and gave him one; entry no problem then, but he was warned not to put his own top back on and to keep it hidden. That very same Sunday, still wearing my Ireland top, the police stopped me and told me that I couldn’t go into the city centre wearing 'that'. Apparently there was a sectarian march organised by the Protestants and I might have become a target! That’s why I love the place!

If you want to melt into the city and enjoy every bite, then go for a week when the Fringe Festival is on, late summer; Edinburgh at its best. A rugby weekend will only give you one flavour, but if that's the menu you're looking for, you won't be disappointed.

On Saturday 9th March the kick off is at 2.30pm. so what time should you get there? If you are going straight to the game without any of the pre-match festivities then reconsider. The pubs will start to fill up from about 11am, and the drinking areas are many. Rose street, which runs parallel at the back of Princes Street will see you

served quickly, it's just a bit further away from the ground, but after the match, the most popular. The area around Haymarket Station will be inundated early on, with too few staff trying to serve too may fans, all shouting at the same time. I drink Guinness and a neat trick I learnt was to paint a small pint on my cheek (face that is!), which I only need to point to and hold 4 fingers up to get the round understood from a distance. Don't waste time planning on Taxis or buses to the ground, it won't happen. Two hours before the game the road system on that side of town comes to a standstill, nothing moves apart from people on foot and pigeons scrambling for the layer of fast food coating the pavement behind them. 

A brill place to go is the Murrayfield Hotel, near the ground, but well prepared to sell volume in every way. They have a separate 'bottle only' bar, an outside 'Guinness tent' and I'm sure the dozens of staff can lip read! They do more drink trade on the 2 or 3 rugby days than in the whole rest of the year, but pray for a sunny day when everyone can expand into the garden. It's only a short walk to the ground, but don't underestimate how much drink will still be in your bladder on that short walk. I've seen grown men cry in the queue at the turnstiles and even unable to hold on. Entrepreneurial families set up stalls in their gardens along the way, selling hot dogs, burgers and even hog roast, but I think they'd make more money by putting a portaloo in the front garden and charging £1 a shot! Beware the dozens of charity collectors waving buckets at you as you approach the ground, though who knows, they may all be genuine!

Try and be in the stadium about 20 minutes before the start, because the anthems are very moving and you get a chance to say hello to your immediate neighbours who'll appreciate you not scrambling over them 5 minutes after kick off. It's great to soak up the atmosphere in this lovely stadium and look forward to another epic encounter.

Irish world record…74% possession and still lost!

How can you have 74% possession and lose the game? Ireland managed just that on Sunday, allowing Scotland to win their first back to back Six Nations wins in ten years. It was only 0-3 to Ireland as they went in at half time and the pitch was so untouched on the Irish side, it looked like a bowling green, because Scotland had not walked on it! Scotland kicked all their 4 penalties and Ireland fluffed most of theirs, and that was it, 12-8 with Irish supporters in total shock. 

          On the brighter side, the Irish women won the triple crown with a 30-3 win over Scotland.

France were transformed from the team that went out in the last two games but it still wasn't enough to beat a brilliant England side in front of the home crowd, 23-13. I know England have Italy to play next, but to be fair, when they've won that they'll be playing in Cardiff for the Grand Slam, and that's going to be one hell of a game.

The Welsh had no trouble in Rome with a very convincing win 9-26. They're looking stronger every game and will see the final game against England as a 'must win' in Cardiff. Statistically they are still challenging for the tournament along with the Scots.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PD	TF	Pts
	England	3	3	0	0	73	37	36	5	6
	Wales	3	2	0	1	64	45	19	6	4
	Scotland	3	2	0	1	64	56	8	6	4
	Ireland	3	1	0	2	44	46	-2	4	2
	Italy	3	1	0	2	42	78	-36	3	2
	France	3	0	0	3	37	62	-25	3	0

Could you ever believe that France would be sitting at the bottom after 3 games? Well on the weekend of 9th March, we have Scotland v Wales, Ireland v France and England v Italy. This will be the big match at Murrayfield with both Wales and Scotland knowing that the winner could benefit if England slip up. The Irish game will be interesting with the French desperately trying to avoid the wooden spoon, and Ireland wondering if they can still score tries. England should annihilate Italy, but hey, we know better than to think the obvious in this tournament.

Can the French stop England?

A shirt with horizontal bands, neckerchief, black beret, black tash and a string of onions over my shoulder; the French were playing in Edinburgh and I had to play the part. In the mirror I looked ridiculous, and around town the French fans seemed to appreciate my gesture, but not so the two guys from Dundee who entered the toilet at the Murrayfield Hotel. How do I know they were from Dundee? I don't think there's an equivalent in England or Ireland, you'll just have to ask one of your Scots friends. Unlike most people I'd met that day, these guys were convinced I was French. As not to disappoint I went along with them. They started to snigger and whisper to each other, then tested me out by asking if I could speak English, and probed with lots of simple little questions, which became more and more insulting as I looked more and more puzzled and laughed along with them. In the end they were shaking my hand, hugging me, smiling and laughing in hysterics as they told me what a small penis I had, how they were going to kill my father and rape my mother, then make me have sex with my sister before decapitating her. I've left out the worse bits! I met them at the bar later and even when they saw me they again broke down in tears of laughter. That changed when I went up to them and thanked them in crisp English for such an entertaining time in the toilet earlier. I know, that didn't sound well to people nearby, but these guys were from Dundee so nobody was going to question anything.

This Saturday at 2.30 it's Italy v Wales, and the Italians must be thinking, if we can beat the French on our home ground, we must stand a good chance against the Welsh. But the Welsh have just won in Paris, and not many teams do that. I'm going with the Welsh here because the Italians always seem to pull off one surprise, and I think they've done that already.

At 5.00 it's England v France and what a game this is going to be. The French so far have suffered two humiliation, at the hands of the Italians and then the Welsh in Paris. In their minds they have to win this or they might as well stay at home for the last two matches, which includes Dublin against the Irish. England will fancy their chances big time, knowing that if they can pull this off, they only have Italy to pass on their way to winning the tournament; and a last game in Cardiff could see the Grand Slam!

England to win, it has to be!

Then on Sunday at 2.00 it's Scotland v Ireland, and oh how I was so close to going. What stopped me? The first train out of Penrith wouldn't get me there in time, even if it went directly to the stadium. I had two tickets on hold at £75 each and had to let them go, what a wrench! Of course I'm going for an Ireland win, my heart taking over my head again :-) But if my life depended on it, I'd have to think a bit harder. I think Ireland visiting Murrayfield was my first Six Nations experience, so it's always had a special place in my heart. But hey, I'll be there in two weeks cheering on the Welsh, after all, St Patrick came from Wales.

Try the Six Nations: Preparation is everything...

Try the Six Nations: Preparation is everything...: It was very late, the singing in the bar was deafening as I slowly and politely pushed my way through to the toilets; we had just won in Du...

Preparation is everything...

It was very late, the singing in the bar was deafening as I slowly and politely pushed my way through to the toilets; we had just won in Dublin against the English and spirits were high. On days like this you're so glad you dropped that little Imodium tablet at breakfast, because you couldn't sit on anything in that steaming room, the pineapple cubes being the only protection from reality. Toilet paper, towel or soap? Forget it, you're on your own in this 'no rules hell room' at the back, but it's enough to make you remember the medication the next time.

Have a good breakfast the morning of the game, you'll be glad you did, because most food that you eat after that will be overpriced and not much better than pet food. Even a small bag of chips inside the stadium will hit you for £4, and even at that price the queues seem endless. It's the big chance in the city for most places to get rid of everything that they wouldn't normally be able to, and to double the price, so tread carefully.

If rain is forecast, tuck a bin liner or two into the back of your belt. It's something dry to sit on when you get to your wet seat and invaluable on your walk to and from the stadium. Posh coats just don't work at the rugby, if you don't lose it, it'll get burnt by cigs and covered in beer.

How much do you want to stand out on the day? 

At one extreme you can just wear the clothes that you wear every day and yes, you'll feel invisible. Seriously, you won't be noticed! At the other end, you can wear your countries shirt, carry the flag and wear some face paints and you will be very much part of the party. A friend of mine, a big Scot called Dave from Inverness always took 'Ralph', his rubber chicken, tucked into his sporran. "D'ya want to feel ma cock?", he would say to a crowd of girls. Initial response was always total shock, but when he waved Ralph at them…well that's what I call an 'ice breaker'. He did it to a Policeman in Edinburgh once, and didn't get arrested! Scots feel free to show the girls what's under their kilt on match days, an act that if performed on the same street the following day, would see them in prison. Strange old game! So to feel involved, dress for the occasion :-)

I've never seen trouble at the Six Nations, ever. It's somehow 'self policing', nobody wanting to embarrass their own country. Any hint of trouble is soon smoothed over by other supporters, often big lads, rugby players themselves. It would be unfair to say that football supporters generally tend to be chavs, looking for trouble where rugby fans are more family orientated, out for a good laugh. What do you think? Police separating Rugby supporters would be unheard of, we all sit with the opposing fans and drink with them after, talking about the game. On the other hand, any football match I've been to, fans are always segregated and drink in different pubs after the game. They spend most of the game chanting hate at each other.

Just over two weeks now until we travel to Edinburgh and I'm already toying with the idea of being in the city this Sunday when Ireland visit. An all Celtic game and impossible to separate the teams with the Scots on the ascendancy. 

I've got no ticket and nowhere to stay, but the call beckons...

England grind it out!

The Welsh won in Paris, and because the French have already been beaten by the Italians, who in turn were thrashed by Scotland this week, you could argue that the French will almost surely get the wooden spoon for the first time! 

Again, I only predicted one outcome from the three matches this weekend, (Beverley getting 2 out of 3) and the six nations is like that every time. The game in Dublin was fairly dire to watch, with no tries and every score coming from a penalty. The Irish will be very unhappy with their performance and the support from their home crowd was so bland, having no effect on lifting the team whatsoever. It's not easy to get tickets for that match, and those who did were more interested in the bar and the pork/horse pies. At kick off the stadium seats were only half full, the same at the start of the second half and the Irish team must have wondered if they were at the wrong venue! The English will come away from this delighted, now clear favourites for the Grand Slam, with the Welsh looking like the only barrier, though the Scots would argue that!

Three weeks until we travel to Edinburgh for the Scotland v Wales match. No rugby next weekend but on 23rd Feb we have Italy v Wales followed by England v France; then Scotland v Ireland on the Sunday. We can talk about those nearer the time. 

See...Full fixture list

Pos	P	Team	W	D	L	F	A	PD	TF	Pts
	1	England	2	0	0	50	24	26	4	4
	2	Scotland	2	0	1	52	48	4	6	2
	3	Wales	2	0	1	38	36	2	4	2
	4	Ireland	2	0	1	36	34	2	2	2
	5	Italy	2	0	1	33	52	-19	3	2
	6	France	0	0	2	24	39	-15	2	0