View from the Stand. Harlequins 24 Ulster 0.

Woke up on Saturday morning in my hotel room in Twickenham physically and emotionally drained from the day before at the Women’s World Cup.

Physically drained from eight hours of acting as a proper media person covering four of the games and emotionally drained after the Irish girls tearful rendition of Ireland’s Call  had taken me back to Lansdowne Road, January 99 and my own glassy eyed rendition of “We Are The Champions” as the boys went on their triumphant circuit of the pitch after the game.

Really felt for the girls with the one sided score line. They contributed so much to the game, only to find themselves outgunned up front by an impressive England team with their flanker Maggie “The Machine”  Alphonsi absolutely immense. I  must add that the composure, dignity and professionalism of all the girls from England, Ireland and the other teams, that I witnessed being interviewed, was very impressive as was the general standard of play throughout Day 1 . . .