FRIDAY is the start of the World Cup in Japan, and I am sure like most of us after watching the warm-up games, you are left wondering who the most dominant side in the northern hemisphere is.

There really were some strange results, but also some very impressive performances.

The opening game features Japan against Russia and I think we will all be impressed with the way the hosts will run this great competition.

Like most people, we will have to juggle your work hours to watch a lot of the games (or work from home), but I am sure it will be a great tournament and we will all enjoy it.

London Irish travel to Gloucester to start the new season in the Premiership Cup, and let's face it, they are going to be very serious about staying in the Gallagher Premiership this season.

They have certainly invested a lot of money on new players, so let's hope we see some great results as this will be their last season in Berkshire before they move to Brentford.

In National One, Rams had another great win by beating Birmingham Moseley 25-21, and head coach Seb Reynolds must be over the moon with their start.

They have certainly set the bar at a high level ahead of the long trip to Darlington Mowden Park.

For my boys Reading, it was a very disappointing result going down to Marlow 27-5.

This week we travel away to league newcomers, Shipston on Stour, and the boys know they need to get a win this week.

Reading Abbey also did not start off the season well, going down to High Wycombe 30-17.

It won’t get any easier this week when they play Marlow at home, but let’s hope they can pull something out of the bag.

Lastly, Berkshire Shire Hall went down to Crowthorne 31-22, so all in all it was not the greatest start for our sides.

This week Shire Hall travel across town to play Reading University and I think this will be a hard game for them.

Whoever you support, try and get out and cheer on your local sides this weekend, and whatever you do, enjoy your rugby.