So another world cup has ended prematurely for England but, never mind, it’s not as if we weren’t expecting it. Unfortunately, the finger pointing has started again and the press, as ever looking for a scapegoat, are questioning the abilities of the manager and the so-called key players. They are wasting their time since the only logical explanation for the team’s latest demise is that they were simply not good enough.

Still, at least we Englishmen and women who love football for the wonderful game that it is can now enjoy the tournament as excited neutrals free of  the  gut-wrenching  and emotional roller-coaster of watching our national team. Football at its best is unlike any other game on earth and the joy of watching the best players in the world on the highest stage in the world is more than adequate consolation for a nation disappointed once more by its own failings.

For those unable to lift their heads from the trough of despair, fear not. Rugby union’s world cup takes place next year and the big difference between rugby and football (two games, incidentally, invented by the English) is that we actually have a rugby team capable of competing with the very best. There, that feels better. Sort of!