FROM Jonno to Jonny - it's a pity that Lawrence didn't bridge the gap for a little longer. Anyone who saw Jonno's Tigers thrash Jonny's Falcons last Saturday would realise that if one is to succeed the other in lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy he has a bit to learn in the leadership stakes.

But he has time, and current England coach Andy Robinson is right to look ahead to the next World Cup because if he survives in the job that's when he will be truly judged, not on the Six Nations Championship.

In an ideal world Dallaglio would have carried on a little longer to give Wilkinson time to concentrate on recapturing his form after his lengthy lay-off. He clearly isn't there yet, although Newcastle's problems at inside centre haven't helped him to settle down and run a game from fly half.

But there is no more dedicated sportsman on the planet than Jonny. As long as there is no physical impediment, he will become an even better player than he was before his injury and will be an inspiration to his teammates.

He will also hopefully insist on applying those parts of Sir Clive Woodward's visionary approach which are necessary to complement the tactics of the more forward-orientated Robinson. They might prove to be a dream team, but this will be a transitional season and we shouldn't expect too much too soon.

A NATIONAL newspaper recently offered suggestions for the ten most irritating people in sport, from which the most notable omissions were Richard Caborn, Jose Mourinho and Bernie Ecclestone.

Mourinho, who is proving very adept at orchestrating 1-0 wins for Chelsea, is the odd one out in this trio as he hasn't offered an opinion on whether Silverstone should stage a Grand Prix next season. If he did it would doubtless be delivered with his usual arrogance.

Brian Clough was arrogant, but at least he was funny with it, whereas Mourinho makes Sir Alex Ferguson look like Tommy Cooper. If sport has reached such a serious level, God help us.

Formula One motor racing is no longer a sport at all, which is why this column was long since declared a Grand Prix free zone. But I will break the taboo to observe that Ecclestone is clearly a very greedy little man with no concern for the traditions of the "sport" over which he wields such power.

Countries such as China, which recently staged its inaugural Grand Prix, pump money in because they need the prestige of such events and they are also more than happy to permit tobacco advertising.

Sports Minister Caborn, for once, was right when he said the government could not be expected to stump up the £3m of tax-payers' money which would have saved the British Grand Prix.

Let Ecclestone get on with running his circus in developing countries, while a more interesting alternative is found for tracks like Silverstone. Something called A1 Grand Prix is due to start next Autumn with each of an anticipated line-up of 25 representing one country. Each driver will be selected on merit by his country and they will all be in 3.4-litre V8 cars.

This sounds far preferable to Ferrari domination, but unfortunately the series has been founded by a Dubai sheikh, who talks of "business-to-business connectivity" with the cars as "racing billboards." Not much chance of reverting to sport in its purest form there then.

HOW refreshing that Middlesbrough should storm the Old Trafford citadel with a reminder that the Manchester United team which was so dominant five or six years ago was the product of a youth policy. Although they would always have to include Gareth Southgate, Boro could otherwise field a team of foreigners, but there are more like Stewart Downing, James Morrison and Tony McMahon emerging from the academy, such as Andrew Davies if he gets over his injury problems.

It's good to know that all that investment at Hurworth is proving worthwhile, because much as they love to see a winning team fans find it all the sweeter if local lads are involved.

PAUL Collingwood, himself a five-handicapper, is at St Andrews this week, caddying for England captain Michael Vaughan in the Dunhill Links Championship. If the ECB chairman had not insisted on Vaughan leading the England team in Zimbabwe next month, instead of resting as the selectors wished, there is a good chance that Collingwood would have been captain.

He has declined to air his views on the moral issues of the trip, probably under ECB guidance, but it's a safe bet that he feels uncomfortable about it. However, as a highly-valued member of the one-day side who still has ambitions to forge a Test career, it would be a huge act of self-sacrifice to pull out.

Meanwhile, the lad from Shotley Bridge will be seeking autographs rather than signing them this week as he rubs shoulders with the likes of Hugh Grant and supermodel Jodie Kidd.