So Will Carling's testimonial was cancelled because of the antipathy towards him from the public. At least he now understands what it is like to be ditched.

But who granted Carling this testimonial in the first instance ?

Carling himself. He organised it through promoter Mike Burton, issued the invitations, booked the venue and, of course, would have pocketed around £500,000 had it all gone according to plan.

It had to have the blessing of the English Rugby Football Union but there was something not quite right about this one. It was organised for a player who has become very wealthy from the game and, judging from the public's hostility, many feel he has enough.