Ripley's World - The Legend That Still Is Andy Ripley.

Andy Ripley, the former England rugby legend, was honoured last night at the Rugby Player's Association annual awards bash at London's Grosvenor House hotel, and quite rightly so. Those of a certain age can remember his rampaging runs with ball in hand and long hair flowing resplendent in the England white jersey at Twickenham and elsewhere. We can also remember Ripley, an amateur sportsman don't forget in those days, destroying top, professional sportsmen in all disciplines whilst competing in TV's "Superstars," a brilliant show that pitted different sports stars from different sports competing against each other in all kinds of sports. He went on to become the best indoor rower in the world for his age and even made it to the Cambridge second eight for the boat race at the age of 50! Five years' ago he contracted prostrate cancer and attacked it like he attacked opposition defences, pulling no punches when speaking about the terrible disease. At a rugby writers' dinner a couple of years back he produced one of the most spell-binding speeches I've ever heard - and I've heard a few - which made us both laugh and cry. Today his once impressive body is battered and thin, his eyesight now gone completely, and with it most of his hair. Andy is not in a good way and it pains us all to see this. But, true to form, he will not have any of this. He received his award and told us all to grab life and keep hold of it, like he has done for so many years, and after a long, standing ovation, we all sat down to dwell on what really matters in life. The future, in truth, does not seem too long-term for Andy Ripley, but he is an inspirational figure who made a lot of people smile over the years, and this, whatever happens, will never change.