Six things English fans can be thankful for

Okay. The rugby hasn't gone too well for the World Cup hosts. But all is not lost. Six things English sports fans can still get excited by.

1) The English Premier League

It's all that matters in English sports anyway. And there are even a couple of English people playing in it.

2) English Premier League managerial sackings

This is always an exciting time of year as the sackings start to gather pace. And hardly any of the people getting the boot are English, for an obvious reason.

3) Solo speedway double

Hip Brit Tai Woffinden from Scunthorpe has just won the world series, making him the first two-time English world champ in more than 50 years. Is Woffinden getting the attention he deserves though? The Royal Family needs to turn up to more speedway - that would lift the nation's spirits.

4) It's a great chance to cheer for Scotland...
...as thanks for sticking by England in the independence vote a year ago. How about Swing Low set to bagpipes?

5) Reed it and weep

England international Jack Reed was in tears after the Brisbane Broncos lost the amazing NRL grand final to the North Queensland Cowboys. But at least he's an Englishman who got to play in a final. (We'll ignore that Castleford-born Reed is really an Aussie - his family moved to Australia when he was two).

6) Phil Taylor - trying to land a triple 20

The darts supremo remains on track to become the first 60-year-old to win a world sports crown (we think). Now that would be something. There's still a double three minus one years to go but Taylor is going strong in his 50s and is one of the favourites for the world Grand Prix title in Dublin this week.