Friday, 1st June 2007 at 11:07 pm

Tony Blair to make England debut

The 22 named by Brian Ashton on Thursday to take on the Springboks doesn’t include him, but the grapevine has been working furiously this week, with one suggestion appearing time and again: Tony Blair, supposedly in South Africa on a state visit as part of his global farewell tour, has really touched down in Johannesburg to take on a role as impact player for a very depleted England side.

It would be a big call from Ashton, given Blair’s lack of experience in the Premiership or Heineken Cup, and most experts had predicted that if any high-profile figure was going to get a call-up, then it would be Camilla Parker-Bowles. But with his spell at the helm coming to an end, the England Prime Minister will be looking for something to do, and links with relegated Northampton (where he’d hook up with Big Joe van Niekerk, which could make for some monster nights out) will only get stronger if Blair turns in a solid last 15 minutes.

And a match-winning cameo could even see Gordon Brown handed the reins immediately, with Blair starting his rugby career immediately. It’ll be a big ask, though, and questions over Blair’s match fitness have clouded suggestion of his possible inclusion. Feverpitcher would simply like to see the British Prime Minister take the field - and if he comes face to face with Gurthro Steenkamp and CJ van der Linde the first time he touches the ball, we’ll get a real feel for whether or not we’re likely to see Tony Blair in Paris later this year.