Crouch, touch, pause, engage

Rugby fans are in for a thrilling culmination to the Six Nations as Wales, England, Ireland and France are all in with a chance of lifting the Championship trophy.

And that sporting spirit has prompted Get Creative reader Jonathan Clark to spur on the competing teams in verse.

Inspired by this week’s Get Creative Everyday Artist of the Week Cheryl Lloyd who knitted her son and his friends tank-tops to support their beloved Wales, Jonathan was moved to put pen to paper to sum up the passion of what’s known as Super Saturday.

"Poetry is great escapism and I try and put a humorous view on things. I like to release some things that are inside my head and the best way to do it is through poems," said Jonathan, whose day job is in IT working in a briefing centre in the City of London demonstrating the benefits of video conferencing solutions.

"They tend to be rhyming so not sure it is poetry, but hopefully a step above the nursery variety! Helps with the daily commute too."

He doesn’t just write poetry about rugby. A keen cyclist, he’s also taken inspiration from being on two-wheels, the National Lottery and even birthday celebrations.

He’s also keen on amateur dramatics, appearing at the Cecil Hepworth Playhouse in Walton Upon Thames next month as Sir Thomas More in "A Man for All Seasons".

But he’s no stranger to scrums and tackles as he is a former rugby-union player, wearing the colours for Morley RFC, Richmond and Newbury. In fact, he claims to be the first signing between two rugby union clubs in July 1996 when he was transferred between Richmond and Newbury for the grand sum of £50.

Although the poem doesn’t say it, Jonathan is hoping England will be victorious at the end of the six hours of fierce turf battle. Get Creative is keeping silent as to who we want to win!

Jonathan’s poem is here, or take a listen as he reads the verses.

There are points to prove this Saturday
As the Six Nations sun sets
Bragging rights for next World Cup
There's no room for regrets

Jonathan Clark captured in verse his love of rugby

The Tricolours are out in force
The reds the whites the greens
Who will end victorious
Oh now we set the scene

Put away those calculators
We know that talking's cheap
Forget the permutations
A win is to be reaped

Focus on the game at hand
Forget any algorithms
Ban any talk of championships
Just find a winning rhythm

There'll be fire in their bellies
As it goes down to the wire
The stage is set honours even
As they aim and must inspire

And as the kick off nears us
And the tension mounts
Remember all the game plan
On everything we must count

The battle of those flowers
The Daffodil Shamrock Rose
The blossoming in Spring sunshine
Oh which victor will be chose

Men of Harlech will be ringing
Sweet Chariots shows intent
Resounding fields of Athenry
Cheer them on we're all hell bent

The Irish head to Murray field
Where dreams have broke before
1990 victorious Scots
Goes down in Scots folklore

To Rome where Welsh are entertained
At the coliseum of gladiators
Can the Azzuri seize a second win
And forget their table status?

As for England's Chariot
Encamped in Twickenham fair
They welcome Gallic friends
But can they stem their flair

Once more unto the breach dear friends
Is the cry with which we're met
It starts at every moment
And of course there's crouch bind set!

Stiffen all those sinews
Prepare for each onslaught
Repel all of those phases
Defend and give them nought

There's no such thing as easy games
when playing at this level
It's a little thing - execution
Call it detail's devil

Don't leave it in the changing room
nor on the training pitch
Take it with you on your shirt and
With twinkle toes bewitch

At every scrum and ruck and maul
Keep tight and drive them straight
Hit them hard keep hold the ball
Add tackles of full weight

On on you noblest players
At the breakdown dominate
Fight for every turnover
Don't give it on a plate

The games afoot my dear friends
It's time to out perform
Come on all let's hit them hard
It's time for Honfleur storm

Wear your shirt with honour
But please play out your skin
On come on Rugby’s finest finest
And may the best team win!