The Great British Cricket Tea

As the rain begins to fall all over the country, it must mean it is the cricket season. But whenever water falls from the sky while you people are in their flannels it means they have another opportunity to nibble at the highlight of any cricket match - the tea.

Dear friend, and extremely talent food-journalist Fiona Roberts has written us a few words on why it is such a vital cornerstone of British society.

Prydie to Become Youngest International Ever for Wales Against Italy

WALES coach Warren Gatland has reacted to last weekend's defeat to Ireland with five changes which will see Tom Prydie become the country's youngest ever international.

The wing will come in for Cardiff Blues's Leigh Halfpenny against Italy on Saturday, while Martyn Williams who led the side last weekend has been dropped from the match day squad altogether and has been replaced by Sam Warburton. The other changes see a return for Lions trio Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Mike Phillips with Paul James and Gareth Delve dropping to the bench.

England's Starting XV for the 2011 Rugby World Cup

As England put out the latest inept, impotent and uninspiring performance I want to offer a challenge to Martin Johnson.

He was a fantastically efficient player who did all the jobs asked of him to the top level, but he must throw off the shackles and put out an England team which will show life and excite England fans.

So for the first match of the 2011 World Cup against Argentina on September 10 in Christchurch, this is the 15 I believe Johnson should put out:

1 – Matt Stevens
2 – Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 – Dan Cole
4 – Courtney Lawes
5 – Nick Kennedy
6 – Steffon Armitage
7 – Tom Croft
8 – James Haskell
9 – Danny Care
10 – Shane Geraghty
11 – Ugo Monye
12 – Riki Flutey
13 – Matt Tait
14 – Chris Ashton
15 – Ben Foden

The pack needs dynamism, power, pace, skill and agility to perform in the modern game. If Stevens continues at Saracens as he did before his ban, along with Hartley and Cole, England will have a front row which could equally double up as extra flankers – though they may lack at scrum time.

Kennedy and Lawes in the second row will provide a fantastic platform from the lineout, and the back row mixes powerful running, with commitment and passion.

At half backs I think we need to move on from 2003 and leave Wilkinson out. He hasn’t repeated the form he shows at Toulon, and so we should throw in Geraghty and give him his international chance at his normal position.

The centre partnership has not had a chance to demonstrate its full running potential because of England’s slow ball during the Six Nations. Given the chance they certainly have the chance to cause devastation.

Foden has shown brilliance at full back for Northampton, and during his limited England opportunities, while his club team mate Chris Ashton has an unbelievable try record and there is no reason why he can’t carry this over for England. Monye has been one of the only half-decent performers for England over the past 18-months.

Bright Spark Bale Excites for Wales’ Future

WELSH starlet Gareth Bale's recent club form should give Wales manager John Toshack some hope going into tomorrow's friendly with Sweden, as well as the 2012 European Championship qualifying campaign.

The Tottenham Hotspur left back has been in startling form in the Premier League this season.

His recent first-team opportunities have come as a result of the injury to Benoit Assou-Ekotto, culminating in a match-winning performance at the weekend in Spurs's 2-1 victory over Everton.

This will hopefully brighten up the mood of Welsh fans after the horrific injury Aaron Ramsey suffered last Saturday.