Brian Berry
@briangberry.bsky.social
Skiing, wine, dogs, rugby (Munster/Ireland), cycling, cricket, squash, golf, cars, europhile.
Even Brian Moore was a little partisan when he first started on BBC, though he was never not excellent with his insight.
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Even Brian Moore was a little partisan when he first started on BBC, though he was never not excellent with his insight.
My best memories of Jekyll and Healey relate to years ago commentating on the Heineken/Euro cup.
One minute he's giving excellent analysis and insight that only an elite level rep can, the next he's forgotten all his final warnings and he's kicking off about every decision against the English team.
One minute he's giving excellent analysis and insight that only an elite level rep can, the next he's forgotten all his final warnings and he's kicking off about every decision against the English team.
November 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
My best memories of Jekyll and Healey relate to years ago commentating on the Heineken/Euro cup.
One minute he's giving excellent analysis and insight that only an elite level rep can, the next he's forgotten all his final warnings and he's kicking off about every decision against the English team.
One minute he's giving excellent analysis and insight that only an elite level rep can, the next he's forgotten all his final warnings and he's kicking off about every decision against the English team.
You had me at Craig Doyle. I remember him all those years ago starting out with Martin Bayfield: "so you can pick it up?"
For us in UK, he actually came from a holiday program, he is in essence Judith Chalmers.
For us in UK, he actually came from a holiday program, he is in essence Judith Chalmers.
November 15, 2025 at 4:29 PM
You had me at Craig Doyle. I remember him all those years ago starting out with Martin Bayfield: "so you can pick it up?"
For us in UK, he actually came from a holiday program, he is in essence Judith Chalmers.
For us in UK, he actually came from a holiday program, he is in essence Judith Chalmers.
Blimey a Minder ref. Never really understood why Del boy took off mid 80s and why Arthur Daley started dropping away at the same time.
I commend the house to watch the 85(?) Xmas special Minder on the Orient Express.
I commend the house to watch the 85(?) Xmas special Minder on the Orient Express.
November 14, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Blimey a Minder ref. Never really understood why Del boy took off mid 80s and why Arthur Daley started dropping away at the same time.
I commend the house to watch the 85(?) Xmas special Minder on the Orient Express.
I commend the house to watch the 85(?) Xmas special Minder on the Orient Express.
I think they have been hived off, and stored deep underground in caves in the Alps, waiting for a new world and a new tomorrow.
Like gold and fine art with the Nazis.
I hope I haven't overstated the importance of Brannigans in the world order.
Like gold and fine art with the Nazis.
I hope I haven't overstated the importance of Brannigans in the world order.
November 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I think they have been hived off, and stored deep underground in caves in the Alps, waiting for a new world and a new tomorrow.
Like gold and fine art with the Nazis.
I hope I haven't overstated the importance of Brannigans in the world order.
Like gold and fine art with the Nazis.
I hope I haven't overstated the importance of Brannigans in the world order.
Ken Clarke on QT last night, made it abundantly clear that he separates the racist issues and the immigration issues, which we have had systemically now for a few years.
Not heard someone articulate so clearly that there are some immigration issues, while clearly taking no truck from the arseholes
Not heard someone articulate so clearly that there are some immigration issues, while clearly taking no truck from the arseholes
November 14, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Ken Clarke on QT last night, made it abundantly clear that he separates the racist issues and the immigration issues, which we have had systemically now for a few years.
Not heard someone articulate so clearly that there are some immigration issues, while clearly taking no truck from the arseholes
Not heard someone articulate so clearly that there are some immigration issues, while clearly taking no truck from the arseholes
If there's a slot available in URC, the obvious answer is Leinster 2nds. They'd probably win it, and maybe the ERC too.
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
If there's a slot available in URC, the obvious answer is Leinster 2nds. They'd probably win it, and maybe the ERC too.
Cricket has taken a backward step by fixing the world cup format, after several unsuccessful formats, with the 10 team one of the last couple of tournaments.
Being a test nation is lovely, but if you have limited matches it counts for little. ODIs and world cups is the life blood for fringe teams.
Being a test nation is lovely, but if you have limited matches it counts for little. ODIs and world cups is the life blood for fringe teams.
November 11, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Cricket has taken a backward step by fixing the world cup format, after several unsuccessful formats, with the 10 team one of the last couple of tournaments.
Being a test nation is lovely, but if you have limited matches it counts for little. ODIs and world cups is the life blood for fringe teams.
Being a test nation is lovely, but if you have limited matches it counts for little. ODIs and world cups is the life blood for fringe teams.
You're the software "because we can idiot" idiot they listened to that gave us touch screens in cars with the capability to manage 2000+ functions through just 5 or 6 short taps. Tosser!
Meanwhile, people can't easily get the blower on their windscreen safely, or use satnav without copilot. Tosser!
Meanwhile, people can't easily get the blower on their windscreen safely, or use satnav without copilot. Tosser!
November 7, 2025 at 11:55 PM
You're the software "because we can idiot" idiot they listened to that gave us touch screens in cars with the capability to manage 2000+ functions through just 5 or 6 short taps. Tosser!
Meanwhile, people can't easily get the blower on their windscreen safely, or use satnav without copilot. Tosser!
Meanwhile, people can't easily get the blower on their windscreen safely, or use satnav without copilot. Tosser!
Home product needs to be strong/attractive enough to use that lever.
Wales product currently not strong enough. As per Scotland , they are being pragmatic. The 2 best sides in the world are also pragmatic about J league and money, breaking the season down into "be home" and "make some money"periods
Wales product currently not strong enough. As per Scotland , they are being pragmatic. The 2 best sides in the world are also pragmatic about J league and money, breaking the season down into "be home" and "make some money"periods
November 7, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Home product needs to be strong/attractive enough to use that lever.
Wales product currently not strong enough. As per Scotland , they are being pragmatic. The 2 best sides in the world are also pragmatic about J league and money, breaking the season down into "be home" and "make some money"periods
Wales product currently not strong enough. As per Scotland , they are being pragmatic. The 2 best sides in the world are also pragmatic about J league and money, breaking the season down into "be home" and "make some money"periods
There's just about an argument for going full tilt now with the old guard to lock in the seeding, then go developmental next year for all internationals, locking in a WC squad in 6N '27.
No, no, plan A please....
No, no, plan A please....
November 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
There's just about an argument for going full tilt now with the old guard to lock in the seeding, then go developmental next year for all internationals, locking in a WC squad in 6N '27.
No, no, plan A please....
No, no, plan A please....
Sco v Arg next week could be big, and also Aus have Ireland and France the next 2 weeks.
I'm unconvinced about Italy atm, maybe unfair.
Interesting.
I'm unconvinced about Italy atm, maybe unfair.
Interesting.
November 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Sco v Arg next week could be big, and also Aus have Ireland and France the next 2 weeks.
I'm unconvinced about Italy atm, maybe unfair.
Interesting.
I'm unconvinced about Italy atm, maybe unfair.
Interesting.
Haven't followed up in detail, but it looks like Arg, Aus and Sco could be fighting for 6th in world rankings, and RWC top seed, with a good autumn.
Incentive for all 3.
Incentive for all 3.
November 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Haven't followed up in detail, but it looks like Arg, Aus and Sco could be fighting for 6th in world rankings, and RWC top seed, with a good autumn.
Incentive for all 3.
Incentive for all 3.
Went to ARG v SA in TRC at Twickenham, and SA a little confused with majestic SFM at their disposal.
Best set piece in the game, they can win matches at will, but maybe not everyone happy.
Give ball to SFM and he surprises you with everything, as he does his own backline...needs time & structure
Best set piece in the game, they can win matches at will, but maybe not everyone happy.
Give ball to SFM and he surprises you with everything, as he does his own backline...needs time & structure
November 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Went to ARG v SA in TRC at Twickenham, and SA a little confused with majestic SFM at their disposal.
Best set piece in the game, they can win matches at will, but maybe not everyone happy.
Give ball to SFM and he surprises you with everything, as he does his own backline...needs time & structure
Best set piece in the game, they can win matches at will, but maybe not everyone happy.
Give ball to SFM and he surprises you with everything, as he does his own backline...needs time & structure
He fancies a Leinster Lottery ticket doesn't he? ERC final?
Tbh though, fair play. Likeable on and off the field.
Tbh though, fair play. Likeable on and off the field.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
He fancies a Leinster Lottery ticket doesn't he? ERC final?
Tbh though, fair play. Likeable on and off the field.
Tbh though, fair play. Likeable on and off the field.
I remember over the years picking off these milestones. Beating Aus became routine, Eng became routine, SA became routine. The last 2 were to beat NZ and to be able to win in Paris (routinely).
Routine doesn't mean you do it every time, it means you do it on and off without fuss.
Routine doesn't mean you do it every time, it means you do it on and off without fuss.
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I remember over the years picking off these milestones. Beating Aus became routine, Eng became routine, SA became routine. The last 2 were to beat NZ and to be able to win in Paris (routinely).
Routine doesn't mean you do it every time, it means you do it on and off without fuss.
Routine doesn't mean you do it every time, it means you do it on and off without fuss.
You remember the dodgy decision for Lions v NZ in the dying minutes in 2017?
Sco got on the receiving end of one of those against Australia - v dodgy.
Sco got on the receiving end of one of those against Australia - v dodgy.
November 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
You remember the dodgy decision for Lions v NZ in the dying minutes in 2017?
Sco got on the receiving end of one of those against Australia - v dodgy.
Sco got on the receiving end of one of those against Australia - v dodgy.
Not sure I agree on the drama element, for me it's akin to watching scrum resets.
Partailly agree on the responsibility though. However a good ref can still give pen/yellow/red and not refer for bunker - and sometimes they do.
Partailly agree on the responsibility though. However a good ref can still give pen/yellow/red and not refer for bunker - and sometimes they do.
November 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Not sure I agree on the drama element, for me it's akin to watching scrum resets.
Partailly agree on the responsibility though. However a good ref can still give pen/yellow/red and not refer for bunker - and sometimes they do.
Partailly agree on the responsibility though. However a good ref can still give pen/yellow/red and not refer for bunker - and sometimes they do.
The unspillability of water!
How far into a mistake do some idiots have to go to identify the bit they did wrong!
How far into a mistake do some idiots have to go to identify the bit they did wrong!
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The unspillability of water!
How far into a mistake do some idiots have to go to identify the bit they did wrong!
How far into a mistake do some idiots have to go to identify the bit they did wrong!
I like the bunker in principle, as it defers some of the "many minute reviews" to a different place so the game proceeds.
I also like that you don't have to hear a ref trying to make up the words for going through the protocol realtime, sometimes poorly.
Glaring bunker errors are rare IMO.
I also like that you don't have to hear a ref trying to make up the words for going through the protocol realtime, sometimes poorly.
Glaring bunker errors are rare IMO.
November 5, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I like the bunker in principle, as it defers some of the "many minute reviews" to a different place so the game proceeds.
I also like that you don't have to hear a ref trying to make up the words for going through the protocol realtime, sometimes poorly.
Glaring bunker errors are rare IMO.
I also like that you don't have to hear a ref trying to make up the words for going through the protocol realtime, sometimes poorly.
Glaring bunker errors are rare IMO.
I'm suggesting that there might be an option to dispute and backtrack on part of the execution of the protocol, in this case the assessment of high degree of danger.
Then, I think some will dispute high degree of danger because it's broadly passive and doesn't look aggressive like some do.
Then, I think some will dispute high degree of danger because it's broadly passive and doesn't look aggressive like some do.
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
I'm suggesting that there might be an option to dispute and backtrack on part of the execution of the protocol, in this case the assessment of high degree of danger.
Then, I think some will dispute high degree of danger because it's broadly passive and doesn't look aggressive like some do.
Then, I think some will dispute high degree of danger because it's broadly passive and doesn't look aggressive like some do.
The click bait web article I just saw, headline only, majored on the 'high degree of danger' quoted at the time for giving the red. Suggestion is they disagreed with that and therefore were able to downgrade the original decision.
Foul play yes, red card threshold no.
Foul play yes, red card threshold no.
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 AM
The click bait web article I just saw, headline only, majored on the 'high degree of danger' quoted at the time for giving the red. Suggestion is they disagreed with that and therefore were able to downgrade the original decision.
Foul play yes, red card threshold no.
Foul play yes, red card threshold no.
And if dolphins were that clever, they wouldn't hang about near tuna.
So many questions, so little time
So many questions, so little time
November 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
And if dolphins were that clever, they wouldn't hang about near tuna.
So many questions, so little time
So many questions, so little time