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Financial Times

24 February 2005

As if England's rugby union defeat against France on February 13 in the RBS 6 Nations was not humiliating enough, how about this for special pleading on behalf of Charlie Hodgson, the fly-half whose missed kicks lost England the match?

His personal sponsor, internet service provider UKFast, has come out wringing its hands on behalf of Hodgson. Calling himself "Charlie's Angel", UKFast managing director Lawrence Jones said he was appalled by the public onslaught the young Sale Sharks player had faced. "I was absolutely horrified last Friday when Charlie told me of the abuse he had received. What upsets him most is the fact that his long-term girlfriend has faced jibes in the street since the last match."

Jones said he feared rugby was facing a crossroads. "In business or sport you don't draw the best out of your team by applying pressure to individuals. Yet in today's society there seems to be a need to allocate blame?"

At least he acknowledged Hodgson had missed a "few big kicks". Shame if he can't also take a few big knocks.

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