Planet Rugby: So Gareth, the French and the English are squabbling about the Heineken Cup again. What's your take on it?
Gareth Chilcott: I believe the Heineken Cup is a must. It is the perfect step between club and international rugby, it sorts out the men from the boys that one step early. You can't just go from club to international  level any more.

PR: We agree. But something has to give if England's national team is to rejuvenate itself doesn't it?
GC: I get peeved when people slate the system as it is, we won a Rugby World Cup using it, so it does work. Perhaps a change of personnel at the top end would help, but maybe Rob Andrew will be peacemaker. It is good to see him in that job, a rugby man in a rugby position. There is not always enough of that. The Mike Friday resignation showed there is something wrong in the RFU causing disillusionment - how could they let someone like that go? He ought to have been drafted into the fifteens set-up somewhere.

PR: So the English system works?
GC: Well, to not examine the system would also be wrong. Yes we won the World Cup, but we had a cracking squad of players at the zenith of their careers - lots of people knew this, but nobody had planned beyond it. It is bad management, planning and coaching, and now to patch it up, they are building too short term. We would be better off forgetting about this World Cup and concentrating on the next one.

PR: Wow. Is it all doom and gloom? Where to go?
GC: Well, the Celts have got it right, concentrating on the Heineken Cup and keeping their national team sacrosanct. See what happens when you leave the moneymen and politicians out of the equation.

PR: Ah, the Celts. It's Rugby World Cup time next year, and if not England from the North, then who?
GC: It is lovely to see Ireland as the northern hemisphere's great hope. They remind me of England in 2003 in many ways: settled, a blend of experience and youth. But there are still ten months to go - have they peaked already? The Irish don't like the 'favourites' tag.

PR: A little closer to home, Bath are suffering a bit from this stadium problem. How do you remember the Rec?
GC: Bath is a joy to play at, the most picturesque ground in the Premiership. The whole city benefits when they play there, all the businesses love it. The city comes to life. Democratically the court and the council will eventually have to listen. Common sense will prevail - and even if not, councillors can be voted in and out. Would you stand in the way of public opinion?

PR: Probably not in the face of a horde of passionate rugby fans. What's your take on the forthcoming Six Nations?
GC: Well, all six nations need a confidence-boosting campaign under their belt before June. As far as England are concerned, what I would like to see is what other countries have: continuity in selection and a focus on getting the basics right.

PR: And what about the others?
GC: I am interested to see what Italy have to offer this time. Their next stage is developing strength in attack. Their basics are good and they are a tight team - in a lot of ways, England actually need to get to where Italy are at the moment. Italy has been good for the Six Nations, and for Gulliver's . Rome is a fantastic venue. We've all been to all the others, but Rome is something different. The city has so much to offer, and the stadium! It takes you back 20 years, you can still hear the players, you can still sing the anthems. It is a good thing to be able to remember the past like that.

PR: Agreed in spades. Cheers Gareth, see you in February on tour?
GC: Of course, cheers!

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