England's powerhouse prop Andrew Sheridan has some doubters to silence when he runs out at the Millennium Stadium, writes Robert Kitson in The Guardian.
"When Andrew Sheridan and his now-wife were in the early stages of courtship, one of their first dates involved a trip to Cardiff and tickets for a Six Nations game. It was the Wales versus Ireland encounter of 2003 and Sheridan enjoyed it immensely. There are some distant shamrock roots to his family tree, while Siwan is from the mid-Wales market town of Builth Wells. Ireland won 25–24 and Sale's affable colossus has eagerly anticipated a return trip to the Millennium Stadium ever since.
"The big man's long-standing wish will finally be granted this evening, albeit in circumstances which scarcely qualify as ideal. This time there can be no carefree pre-match stroll through the streets and romantic Valentine's Day gestures must wait. Unless England get a grip up front it could be a horribly long night, while Sheridan also stands at something of a personal crossroads. Is he still Mr Incredible's body double or is he suddenly plain old Bob Parr, his super powers neutered? Tonight may just supply some answers.
"If anyone is equipped to silence the cry of "Fee, fi, fo, fum ..." emanating from the home dressing room, it is the approaching English giant. As Australia can testify, it never pays to underestimate an underdog of Sheridan's dimensions. Remember Marseille 2007, the World Cup quarter-final? Others, though, insist the 19st, 6ft 4in prop sums up the inherent contradictions of Martin Johnson's side. Man mountain or flat-track bully? The former Welsh great Graham Price was unconvinced in 2006 – "I've watched Sheridan closely and against hard-nosed players he's not so happy, he's overrated" – and some still feel the same way."
RSS feed
