When Two Objects Collide

When two moving objects, both possessing momentum by virtue of their mass and velocity, collide with one another, there is a total momentum that is equal to their combined mass and the vector sum of their velocity.

The total momentum is the sum of the various individual momentum products. In terms of a formula, this is expressed as MV = m1v1 + m2v2 + m3v3 +… and so on.

Basically, this means that if Manu Tuilagi and Jonathan Davies hit each other at full tilt on Saturday, there’ll be one giant fuck of an impact.

Both men are 6’1”, Davies weighs in at 103kgs (16st 3lbs), Tuilagi tips the scales at 110kgs (17st 5lbs), and according to my calculations – formulated extremely scientifically using a stop watch and clips from YouTube – both men travel at about 18.5 mph when they’ve got the afterburners on. Given they’re both playing at 13 and will have plenty of space to get their speed up I’d wager we’ll see at least one collision that, if inflicted upon us mere mortals, would dispatch us into a celestial realm quick-smart.

It’s set up to be an absolute ripsnorter. Wales are still favourites, but with the changes England have made the chances of an upset have risen, not massively, but they have risen.

Game on.

England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Alex Corbisiero, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Mouritz Botha, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 8 Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Mike Brown

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 Ian Evans, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 8 Toby Faletau

Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.

Twickenham on Pacific?

In what will hopefully be an absolute demolition of Welsh rugby tomorrow, England’s mid-field will line up with the best part of 200kg of solid south sea brawn.

The thought of two players born on the other side of world donning the red rose of England may make the rugby purists spit out their pints of mild in horror. But the prospect of seeing Flutey and Tuilagi in action for England TOGETHER is making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end and my not insubstantial balls tingle.

The vision, guile and creativity of Flutey, combined with the pace, power and sheer ferocity of Tuilagi has the potential to be something quite special indeed. And with Wilkinson pulling all the strings at 10 it could be a very sexy match.

That said, a full international as the players’ first pre-season warm-up game means that errors are likely. But as long as young Manu can avoid situations like this…



I’m sure he will have a major impact on the game.

He certainly seems ready to take centre stage and if this interview is to be believed (courtesy of the awesome fellows at Sportsvibe.co.uk) then he’ll hopefully have his temper under control. He’s clearly not the brightest spark, but hopefully those around him will keep a close eye on his temperament during the game.



Good luck on Saturday, Manu and good luck England. Keep an eye out for Charlie Sharples as well. I genuinely believe he could be England’s surprise package this world cup. You heard it here first.