Barbarians team

What a disapointing Barbarians selection

Barbarians: James O'Connor (Aus), Joe Rococoko (NZ), Drew Mitchell (Aus), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Ma'a Nonu (NZ), Matt Giteau (Aus, capt), Will Genia (Aus), Salvatore Perugini (It), Stephen Moore (Aus), Neemia Tialata (NZ), Anton van Zyl (Stormers), Chris Jack (NZ), Rodney So'oialo (NZ), Martyn Williams (Wales), Colin Bourke (Chiefs). Replacements: Keven Mealamu (NZ), John Yapp (Wales), Quintin Geldenhuys (It), Daniel Braid (NZ), Andy Ellis (NZ), Stephen Donald (NZ), Seru Rabeni (Fij).

I'd have liked to have either seen more home Nations players - surely John Barclay was worthy of a shout - or to have seen the efforts of the travelling Samoans better rewarded with some Barbarian acknowledgment.

Why Mealamu should be rewarded with a Barbarian cap after his thuggish antics at Twickenham is beyond me.

A Gentleman's family

I'm not quite sure why it's called that, but late last Wed night, a beautiful, healthy, baby girl arrived to complete our home arrangements. The 3 year old boy is delighted to have a new baby in the house - even more so with the presents that she seems to have brought with her, although I suspect he's a little bit disappointed in her propensity to sleep all day and is quite unaware of how much energy mummy is expending in the night, trying to feed her.

Still, it's wonderful to have a new baby about the place.