A rugby miscellany compiled by JOHNNY WATTERSON

All pumped up and no match to play: But Tommy finds time to hail Whitney

“PROPER Church” was in full flow after the cancelled match in Paris on Saturday night. Cian Healy’s Twitter account hummed with the news that the players were unhelpfully pumped up with caffeine with no French bodies to hit after the match was frozen out.

“oh well . . . now what to do . .? full to the gills with caffeine . . . ! teleport home would be nice . . . but we’re up for #teambuilding #church.”

Tommy Bowe (TommyBowe14) was equally busy on his smart phone. “Gutting to have the game called off last minute! Ended up having a game of touch rugby to try entertain the crowd,” said the Monaghan man before following up with: “Strange having to attend the after match function (pictured above) despite no game played.” That’s the blazers for you.

More than a little confusing was Tommy’s: “RIP Whitney Houston. #TheBodyguard up there for top Films/Soundtracks ever.”

Crikey.

Overrated: Experience

EXPERIENCE appears to be something you should underestimate at your peril, although, it didn’t prevent England from snatching a win against the Italians at Stadio Olimpico.

As Stuart Lancasters casts around for his strongest England side he’s made many changes to the team that travelled to last September’s World Cup.

The team at the weekend had a combined total of 250 caps, while the Italians, led by legendary number eight Sergio Parisse, who captained Italy for a record equalling 37th time and won man of the match, had around 700 caps spread across the side. Heap of difference that made.

Bail out: Horgan finds some space

SHANE Horgan is still showing the sort of sure feet he possessed when he was at the top of his game for Ireland and Leinster. The winger and occasional centre sat on the RTÉ television studio panel for England’s match against Italy in a snow covered Rome on Saturday and then again for yesterday’s match between Scotland and Wales.

When it came time for Ireland’s live game against France from the same studio, Brent Pope and George Hook were still in situ but Horgan had been replaced by ex-Ireland fullback, Conor O’Shea. Horgan remains injured but on the books of Leinster. Smart move to bail out instead of commenting on colleagues.

Freeze frame: Rugby can't quite measure up to coldest NFL game

IS rugby becoming soft? Does it measure up any more? Why do they call the American version of the game Gridiron? Maybe it’s because of the Freezer Bowl on January 10th, 1982, the AFC Championship Game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was played in the coldest temperature in NFL history in terms of wind chill. Air temperature was -23°C, but the wind chill was calculated at a brisk -38°C. The game was played at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium.

The Bengals offensive line played the entire game with bare arms. A number of them played with bare hands as well. They placed hot water bottles inside their cups (athletic supporters) and between plays walked around with their hands jammed into their pants, which was some source of amusement among fans. It was so cold icicles started to form on Charger’s quarterback Dan Fouts’ beard early in the game.