France did indeed win the 6 Nations Championship - it must be that much-maligned figure in the AW, G*d, seeking revenge on 'les Anglo-Saxons', with their Thatcherite ways, lousy food, and barbaric language.

Yes, of course, there is a fascinating history of Britain and Ireland outside the small corner I live in - and for all Ireland and for the North (aka Scotland) the Romans are of no importance and the Anglo-Saxons mainly a bloody nuisance ('bloody' sadly being an apt adjective). The detail I enjoy most is the Irish invasion/take-over of Pictish north Britain - the Irish were in this period called the Scots, and their take-over is so successful, that they eventually give their name to the whole of north Britain, 'Scotland'. Try telling a drunk Rangers supporter that 'Scotland' really means the 'land of the Irish'.

By the way, is 'bollox' another of those interesting scholarly terms?