OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Lee is a true Bath legend (From Wiltshire Times)

OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Lee is a true Bath legend

2:30pm Friday 15th February 2013 in Sport

I was really saddened to hear the news about Lea Mears’ retirement from professional rugby – in many ways he really is the last of the old school.

Lee was the first of the Academy boys to come through at Bath and bridge that gap to professionalism.

He came to see me a couple of weeks ago and I could see he was interested in life after rugby as he was asking me what the transition was like.

It’s unfortunate because he’d just signed a new contract, but he always had one eye on life after professional rugby and I think he’ll be all right.

I know the word ‘legend’ is often over used, but it applies in this case.

Lee was a one-club man, who spent four or five years as an understudy to the likes of Mark Regan and Jonathan Humphreys at Bath.

But he kept on going and 42 caps for England, as well as appearances for the British & Irish Lions tells its own story.

I wish him good luck. He’s one of the nicest guys you could meet.

l ENGLAND have got to be absolutely delighted with their start in the Six Nations – I didn’t think that they would be where they are now.

But it’s been an absolutely terrible start for my old Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre and France.

It’s always been my opinion that he is a very conservative coach, but it’s very difficult to know what the French are trying to do at the moment.

Players are being used out of position and when that happens, you deserve all you get.

That said, you never ever write France off and I’ll be worried for England’s sake if we start hearing reports that the French players are coaching themselves.

That’s happened a couple of times before and then suddenly France have turned in an excellent performance.

• Let Steve know your thoughts via wiltshiretimes.co.uk or ohoulihan@newswilts.co.uk