Ronan O’Gara is coaching maestros at La Rochelle – England prefer monsters

There is no greater sight in the sport than a fly half sprinting on to a rocket of a pass from his scrum half. Preferably first phase. I was fortunate enough to benefit from the streamlined service of Richard Hill, once of Bath and England, and there’s nothing better for a self-respecting No 10 than a pair of blistered hands. The pass red hot, the fly half’s hands outstretched in a sporting gesture of supplication.

The hours spent on the receiving end of 100 passes — before team training started — aren’t such great memories but the speed of the service, the accuracy and a symbiotic relationship between the half backs takes a lot of gruel.

On Friday night I sat back and watched Gloucester