British tennis ace?

It really is beginning to look like this country has a genuine tennis star they can be really proud of.

Andy Murray certainly looks like the real deal after another impressive display in the St. Petersburg open where he walked the final 6-1 6-1.

He has already notched up two masters series titles and it was only a rejuvenated Roger Federer that stopped the Scotsman claiming his first grand slam at Flushing Meadows in the US open back in September.

This time a year ago Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal were seen as untouchable at the top of men's tennis, but Murray has accelerated up the rankings and looks every bit as good as those three at the moment.

This is certainly territory this country is not used to; Tim Henman was good but was never going to win a grand slam. He only won one Maters Series whereas Murray has already won two.

Greg Rusedski was in a similar mold, and had Brithish fans up too the early hours of the morning when he contested the 97 US Open final against Australian Pat Rafter.

But again he never came close to another Grand Slam, whereas Murray is now a genuine contender for every Grand Slam he enters.

I have to admit I was one of the first to jump on the anti Andy Murray bandwagon when he burst onto the scene.

He seemed far too passive and way too unfit with fitness levels probably near the same as what mine are.

That is still very much an iconic image of Murray throwing up on centre court because of pure exhaustion in the fifth set against David Nalbandian, in what was the Brit’s first Wimbledon.

Now he is a transformed player known as one of the best athletes in the game, with a superb counter-attacking style lead by the most feared backhand on the circuit.

Murray was also criticized for his temperament but he is now outgunning his opponents on the court thinking cleverly and his mental tenacity on the big points has made him difficult to play against.

I’m pretty sure this time next year we will be talking about the monopoly of the big four in tennis, not the big three.

Andy Murray has joined the party and Murray Mount come June will be roaring with anticipation for a Wimbledon title.

Magners League taking over

I think the weekends Heineken Cup fixtures were as pure example that we are likely to see that the Guiness Premiership is being eclipsed by the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Magners league.

High flying sale were dumped in their back yard by a dogged but yet classy and potent Munster side.

Reigning premiership champions and twice winners of the European trophy London Wasps were dismantled by a Leinster side that made it look like men against boys.

And Gloucester were soundly beaten by an upbeat Cardiff side at the Millennium stadium.

Even Baths very hard thought win against Gwent Dragons will be remembered for the unbelievable defensive display from the welsh side.

The only saving grace the English sides can take from the weekend was Harlequins drubbing of Ulster, who have for the record consistently finished bottom of the Magners League.

But the question is why has a league renowned for it's intensity, competiveness and unmistakeable quality fallen so badly to a division generally considered lesser than the Guniess premiership?

For me the English teams haven't grasped the new RFU rules quick enough, whereas other sides have pounced and relished the new playing conditions.

Wasps coach Shaun Edwards said after the game on Saturday: "We are really struggling with the new rules, they are killing us at the moment."

Wasps have always been a side very physical, good pack and dogged in defence, but the new rules favour open expansive rugby, placing emphasis on pace and flair.

If this is the case we may see English teams struggle in Europe for a few more years yet, English sides don’t necessarily win games because of their fluency passing out of hand and their offloads in the tackle.

English sides are good at keeping games tight and seeing them through, playing the territory game with emphasis on kicking out of hand.

The new rules certainly don’t favour that approach and English sides are beginning to be found out, my bold prediction is that England certainly won’t be getting to too many world cup finals in the near future.

Bright future for England

With the influx of foreign players and the significant decline of younger homegrown talent making a stamp in the premier league, you wouldn't be disgraced in thinking the worst for the future of the national team.

Sides such as Liverpool, Arsenal and even Portsmouth barely field three Englishman a game, sparking serious concern over where the next generation of players are going to come from.

That could be because English players simply aren’t good enough or managers prefer to look elsewhere in the market, it may be a combination of both.

However looking at the England U21's who go up against Wales tonight I can only think the future is bright for England.

They seem to have a real mix of exciting talents combining pace, skill and power, something I think the national side has sorely missed.

England have always desperately underachieved because, to be honest, as a team there not that good, all their players are far too similar and the team has always been way too one dimensional.

English players generally love a tackle and can run all day, but they've missed a creative spark or that player that can produce a bit of magic.

England has brilliant individual players that look great in the premier league because they all fit a system around different types of talented foreigners.

The U21's seem to have a different look about them and definitely a more exciting aspect to their game.

They have an excellent side that are uneaten in their last 25 games, the kind of form the senior side could only dream of.

Strikers like Ebanks-Blake, Agbonglahor and Frazier Campbell are proven goalscorer's and they all have an exciting blend of pace and power.

They have an abundance of Premiership midfield talent all proven at the top level with players like Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Mark Noble.

And defensively their strong with a twin centre back partnership of Micah Richards and David Wheater.

I reckon that’s a side that would hold their own in the very league where so little homegrown talents are getting the chance to play.

So if anyone tells you the future of out national side looks bleak, just tell them to look at our very own 'younger' equivalent.

Not Again

I live in Gloucestershire, so naturally, I was pleased last night when the cherry and whites beat Newcastle at Kingsholm.

But I couldn't help feeling gutted for one man, this has to be the saddest ongoing story of any player in sport, Johnny Wilkinson injured again.

From World Cup Winning hero and a national icon, Johnny has become a treatment table stricken athlete for the last six years. A scan today has revealed Johnny will be facing another lengthy layoff after dislocating his knee.

I'm not surprised, but your heart has to go out to the man. No one in the game is as focused and committed as Johnny Wilkinson, this must be his equivalent of serving a lengthy jail sentence at the moment.

I can’t think of one athlete in sport that has suffered anywhere near the same fate of recurring serious injuries, no one parallels this man’s misfortune.

Yes there are players who have had a career ended with one tackle, but to be given hope over and over again and then to be knocked back time after time is something only a man of Johnny’s stature could come through.

He lives and breathes rugby, a massive fan as well as a player, but I really don't know how many more injuries this player can withstand and come back from.

Steve Bates director of Newcastle Rugby said after the game: "He has enormous strength of character and I’m sure he will come back stronger."

Thanks Steve but I think we already knew that, it's got nothing to do with strength of character this is just an unbelievable run of horrendous luck.

And for coming back stronger, please! I think we know Johnny will be shattered by this latest setback and it has to be on his mind every time he comes back fit, when am I going to get injured again?

What’s so disheartening is that Johnny plays some great rugby for Newcastle, he was instrumental against Northampton this season kicking a very impressive 23 points.

You can't help but wonder if Johnny was given a long clean bill of health he could eclipse that form that won him a world cup winner’s medal seven years ago.

But that will never happen, I hoped it might, but I’m completely resigned to the fact Johnny's career is quickly ending.

I'm sure science will tell you there’s only so many pulls, strains, knocks and twists the human body can take.

All I can say is get well soon Johnny!