Enjoying a pre-match glass of champers with some visiting French friends on the back pitches yesterday, I was startled to be approached by a friendly and rather familiar-looking gentleman. He announced that he was Mark Dodson, SRU CEO, and asked us what we thought of the return of the traditional parking facility. He was obviously doing the rounds of the tailgate fraternity and it was clearly much appreciated by the punters.
I was very impressed that he'd taken the time to show face and talk to the paying public. This would never happen in France, my guests assured me. Nor, indeed, under the ancien regime.