In the celebratory spirit of Australian injury comes this great news from the Tri-Nations rugby:

Ashley-Cooper had taken his seat in the grandstand and was about to start eating a pie when Jones told him he was on the reserves bench.

Good taste that man to attempt to get his pie in early and churlish of the coach to prevent it, playing or not. Feeling duty bound I took a rather fine Steak and Guiness pie on board at lunch today to try and make up for Ashley-Cooper’s loss.

Although saying all that, the presence of pie near your favourite sportsmen is usually a fairly good indicator of whether they’re likely to be involved in the contest about the unfold. The first inkling Phil and I had that Cobus Visagie and Tevita Vaikona might not be taking part in Sarries first pre season game up at Bedford last Saturday was when we noticed them heading eagerly for the burger van after a relaxed walk about the pitch, not something the hardline Fez regime usually tolerate in top level competition.