CHRIS HEWETT
THINKING ALLOWED

If catches win cricket matches – a fact of sporting life mischievously underscored by the recent joke about Jonny “Butterfingers” Bairstow and his manhandling of a pitch-invading protester, who, it was said, was more fearful of being dropped head first on the Lord’s square than he was of appearing in court – there is a parallel truism in rugby. Especially when it comes to World Cups.
Cast an eye over the triumphant teams in the nine completed tournaments to date and what do we find? A sprinkling of the game’s greatest goal-kickers, performing at the optimum. ...