Local rugby fans were in for a treat on Thursday night (9 July), as former England stars, Mike Tindall and James Haskell were joined by broadcaster, Alex Payne to help launch their new gin, ‘Blackeye’ at Brewpoint.
Haskell, Tindall and Payne, the trio behind the popular rugby podcast, ‘The Good, The Bad and The Rugby’ treated Bedfordians to a one-hour long fireside chat with typically boisterous gusto, all while discussing the story behind launching their new spirit range.
Everything from the new range of alcoholic beverages, the plight of the England team and the controversial ‘Rugby 360’ breakaway league – of which Tindall was a major part – were all discussed, with local rugby fans adding their own questions.
However, the gin was front and centre of the event, and with whisky and tequila ranges on the horizon, the well-known names in the world of English rugby are tackling the wide world of spirits, all with charity and community in mind.
Rugby union has had well documented issues with concussion, and there are currently multiple cases of legal action by former players against rugby’s authorities, while former England captain, Lewis Moody revealed a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis in October.
They are two such stories amongst many that the team from ‘The Good, The Bad and The Rugby’ want to get behind, and while all of the anecdotes and opinion provided excellent entertainment, the evening continued to return to the core theme of community and charity.
“We help where we can”
Speaking to Bedford Independent, James Haskell went deeper into how the trio’s new Blackeye range will help support those such as their former teammate, Moody and others.
“We’re very passionate about rugby, and I think there’s lots of amazing things about it, but there’s lots of broken bits about it too”, says Haskell.
“Lots of times with organisations in rugby, they can’t move particularly fast, and we are really passionate about the game, so we wanted to create a brand that would sell an amazing drink, but would also donate money to charities quickly.
”We’ve given £20,000 to Lewis Moody, we’ve given stuff to Gary Street, and we’ve donated to Ed Slater and Matt Hampson. So, we’re trying to help where we can, and it’s open to men and women across the rugby landscape.
“We can start by helping with recovery, research, rebuilding the game, and helping players.
“There’s lots of amazing charities out there. I was vice chairman of Restart, who do great work. But there’s a lot of demand, not a lot of cash, and we aim to try to help where we can”, he adds.
Mike Tindall, a member of England’s 2003 World Cup winning squad, was equally passionate about helping his sport and its members out as much as they could.
“We’re very aware we play a sport that’s given us so much”, says Tindall.
“Specifically myself and James from a playing side, and obviously Alex who has 25 years in the game. And everything that’s great about rugby begins with local communities and a community hub where people form friendships.
“For every guy that goes on and gains 20 caps for England, there’s a guy who gets injured and has to retire, moves out of the game, and they need as much love as anyone.
“They actually probably need more love because their opportunities are way less.
”And I think the whole point of the Blackeye Rugby Fund is to assist with that, and assist with it quickly and we hope to be able to provide some of that support”, says Tindall.
The Blues, Henry Pollock and getting youngsters involved
Other themes such as the form of the current England team, characters in the game and how to bring through the next generation were also part of the evening as rugby fans posed questions from the floor.
While all were in agreement that England should be beating Saturday’s opponents, Fiji in the next round of the Nations Championship, few were optimistic enough to predict a repeat of England’s 2003 triumph at the next World Cup.
Closer to home, the Bedford Independent posed the question of the proposed ringfencing of the Prem, with Haskell in agreement with the RFU that it is needed.
“I know you want an aspirational game, but the top level of the game struggles financially”, says Haskell.
“I think the ability to ringfence it, to make sure that you can play a certain style and keeping the entertainment on the field without getting yourself to Christmas having to panic is key.
“For me, the top level of the game needs to be like the NFL, like an entertainment business. And unfortunately, there isn’t relegation or promotion in that area.
“I think you need strong teams in the competition, and I’m not sure promotion and relegation works.
“I might be wrong and I’m happy to be proved wrong. I think Bedford is an amazing club!”
“I understand why they’ve done it”, adds Tindall.
“We can’t have a go, because at least they’re trying something. But there’s got to be a plan to then expand that, like in France, to actually go and help the Championship grow.
“If you can’t get these Prem sides that are playing in Europe to fill stadiums, you’re going to struggle on the Champ side unless you find a way of doing that”.
And both are in agreement that characters like Henry Pollock, who spent a short time on loan at Goldington Road, will help expand the sport and generate new audiences.
“We need more characters”, says Haskell.
“We need young men and women having heroes and exposure. We need the top level of the game to become an entertainment business, to look after players better and make the season more available.”
The trio of Haskell, Tindall and Payne then spent some time signing autographs, signing copies of their new book and bottles of their new gin as well as photos with fans, who also tucked into their Brewpoint burgers.
With the club rugby season over, rugby fans can continue to get their fix with the ongoing Nations Championship as England face Fiji this Saturday (11 July) at 14:10.
Readers can find out more about the Blackeye Rugby Fund here.
Transparency: Bedford Independent Sport Editor, Tom Carr was
given two free tickets to this event in order to facilitate this piece
