AS England is defeated with monotonous regularity on the cricket field by Australia, no one could doubt the Lion has lost its roar, not to mention its pride, writes Steve Hook.
But fear not. If a West Country college has its way, we could soon be beating our antipodean cousins at their own game - - Aussie Rules football.
Norton Radstock college, Somerset, is determined to bring a touchof macho culture back to the former coal mining town.
The college’s Australian Rules Football Academy is the brainchild of international player Shane Claridge, who was captain of the national team last year.
“Aussie Rules is a fantastic sport,” he says. “It’s incredibly athletic and it encourages teamwork.”
All he needs now is 36 players - enough for a full-sized game.