Scrum of the Earth /

The IRB has today revealed that a record ten unions have made bids to host the Rugby World Cup in either 2015 or 2019, including surprise bids from Russia and Jamaica, both of whom didn't qualify for the 2007 World Cup. Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have made bids to stage the 2015 tournament, while Australia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales are want to host in 2019.

IRB honcho Bernard Lapasset had this to say about it all, "This is tremendous news for Rugby World Cup. The fact that 10 member unions have signalled their intention to tender for the 2015 and 2019 tournaments reflects the growing global prestige of the Rugby World Cup. The IRB Council will announce the RWC 2015 and 2019 host unions in July 2009, six years prior to the first tournament and 10 years prior to the 2019 event."

In a definite case of the headline doing exactly what it says on the tin, England’s players have come to an agreement with the RFU over their England pay.

After earlier rumours that players were threatening to strike over a performance-related alternative to the existing pay deal, it was announced that both parties had reached a compromise.

The previous rate of £9,000 per game will fall to £8,200, but a win will see that figure rise to £11,000. Image rights will take that to £13,500, meaning that England’s elite players will potentially earn £185,000 a year. Which, it’s got to be said, isn’t a bad little earner coming from playing for your country.

Needless to say Jonno wasn’t exactly keen to dwell on the matter,

"It's important these off-the-field matters were resolved ahead of the season. Everyone has bought into and supports the agreement."

‘Nuff said.

This week marks the 87th anniversary of South Africa-New Zealand rugby rivalry. The first ever Test match took place on August 13th 1921, when the All-Blacks triumphed at Carisbrook 13-5.

Wing John Steel scored one of New Zealand’s two tries that day and All-Black historians still regard the star performer’s try in the drawn series as one of the most spectacular ever.

Collecting a cross-kick from the half-way line, with the ball awkwardly positioned behind his back, Steel raced away for a momentous score.

Elsewhere in history, in 30 BC, Cleopatra (nothing to do with the expensive porn-film) committed suicide after her lover Mark Anthony’s defeat at the battle of Actium. In 1945 George Orwell’s satirical allegory of Soviet totalitarianism, Animal Farm, was first published while 15 years later, in 1960, Cyprus gains its independence from the United Kingdom,   

And it’s Feliz Cumpleaños! as they say in Spain to the Barking bruiser, Jason Leonard (50), French Hall of Famer Andre Boniface (74), Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs (28) and the champion of the ‘shortest hat-trick in history’, Nick Easter (30)

Beijing is just around the corner and while we're going into hibernation. Who cares who wins the cycling, the kayaking or the mountain biking for beach volleyball is the one saving grace for us puritans of competitive team sports.

We rang up the IOC yesterday and asked for a late entry. We assured them that all of our entrants fulfilled qualifying procedures and we’re waiting for the OK at a secret location ready to be flied out to China

Here’s Team ScrumoftheEarth

Diving: Shane Williams - gives it plenty of air over the try-line…

Swimming: David Strettle - a fan of watersports...

Water Polo: The All-Blacks - formidable free-flowing style

Archery: Dan Carter - top marksman…

Boxing: Schalk Burger - never shies away from a punch-up...

Equestrian: Mike Tindall - a good excuse for more time with the missus...

Mens Coxless Pairs: Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha - Unrivalled as a duo..

100m: Bryan Habana - Tyson Gay couldn’t beat a cheetah…

200m: Joe Rokocoko - have you ever seen him caught from behind?

110m hurdles: Geordan Murphy - one of the best in the air and under the high ball..

Judo: Danny Grewcock - persistent use of the boot...

Marathon: Richie McCaw - doesn’t stop running and would tackle anyone who got in his way...

4x100m: Bryan Habana, Tom Varndell, Shane Williams, Takudzwa Ngwenya...

Hammer-throw: Martin Castrogiovanni - with his beard he wouldn’t look out of place...

Shot-Put: Andrew Sheridan - he threw Matt Dunning far enough…

Weightlifting: Mario Ledesma - the man for the clean jerk and snatch...