Scrum of the Earth /

(Drumroll) Yes it's Friday, two days off - if you're lucky - and time to kick back, mock all the misinterpreted predictions of scorching weekend weather (as if you knew better) and open up a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. If you don't like white, then try green or gold with a little wager on South Africa getting their fragile bottoms served up on a plate by Australia. Otherwise you might want to check out for these… or not!

What might happen...

Prince Harry rethinks his admission about going to war after a couple of beers with the lads
UK head-teachers saying they deserve more cash despite being the best paid in the world
Football dominating 80% of the national newspapers sports column inches - not bitter... much!
Everyone rejoicing that there's only one more week of Big Brother 9 - Hurrah!
Australian rugby fans preparing their 'we're the best in the world' speeches

What won't happen...

Anyone saying a bad word about Barack Obama
Pieter de Villiers being caught on his own in a lap-dancing club at the bottom of the bottle
Michael Jackson celebrating his 50th birthday with a magician and a puppet show
Gordon Brown's new council housing plans greeted with applause in the House of Commons
‘Cheeta the Chimp’ commanding an audience with hundreds of book critics about his life as a Hollywood superstar.

Only a short trip down memory lane, but what a ride. Seconds to go in Durban back in 2000, and the national lottery finger pointed its fateful finger onto Paul Honiss' cool head - "It's you."

Next minute, the whistle's blown and Australia have a penalty to win their first TriNations trophy. Step up Stirling Mortlock and the rest is history. Mortlock kicked 14 points in addition to Chris Latham's solitary try while Braam van Straaten must've been thinking 'Man of the Match, save Nick Mallett's bottom and free beer all night.' Not to be but definitely in our top two TriNations moments of all-time.

Elsewhere, in 1859, petroleum was discovered in Titusville, Pennsylvania (and the original well is still the only station... well maybe?). In 1910 the Yellow Cab is founded giving Hollywood directors even more of an excuse to waste a scene or two. And finally in 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastates much of the U.S Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,800 people and causing over $115 billion in damage.

And it's Suk San Wan Keut as they say in Thailand to Springbok bruiser CJ Van der Linde (28), Sale Shark Luke McAllister (25) French legend Serge Blanco (50) and Welsh scrummie Dwayne Peel (27).

They say: Skins™ sport long sleeve top provides engineered gradient compression which improves circulation and muscle support to the chest, back and arms. These features are enhanced by muscle wrapping seams, which improve power and endurance.

The compression provided by wearing a Skins™ sport long sleeve top encourages a better posture which acts as a respiratory aid, helping you breathe into the upper chest cavity and effectively take larger breaths.

Skins™ tops also work well to relieve delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) when worn after exercise.

We say: Batman! Ever since adolescence, everyone’s always wanted to wear the suit and although it’s not the real thing, we’re sure it’s as close… fitting that is. These tops do actually work. For longer periods it’s plausible to exert increased power by driving your arms with more vigour without premature exhaustion. Not only that it does plenty for your ego and physique too. Plus! They come in custom-fit measures, so no one has to miss out.

Price: £59.99
Stockists: Skins Postcode Locator & good independent sports stores.
URL: www.skins.net.

They say: Skins™ sport long tights are engineered gradient compression performance equipment which optimise the endurance and recovery of the muscles of the lower body. Benefits Skins™ sport long tights provide include; lower lactic acid production, improved circulation and greater oxygen availability in the hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. Skins™ sport long tights also promote muscle power and dramatically reduce muscle vibration, thus significantly reducing your fatigue and muscle soreness both during and after exercise.

We say: Technology continues to baffle us. If the iPhone wasn’t confusing enough, now there’s advanced clothing. Even after a run along the Brighton promenade (not as dangerous as you think) it was an astounding difference from the aches and pains of seven days previous. Lactic acid was so last year and the following day I even went an extra mile…

Price: £59.99
Stockists: Skins Postcode Locator & good independent sports stores.
URL: www.skins.net.