JASON ROBINSON, Andrew Sheridan and Jonny Wilkinson are standing before God at the throne of Heaven.

God looks at them and says: "Before granting you a place at my side, I must first ask you what you believe in."

Addressing Robinson first, he asks: "What do you believe?"

Robinson looks God in the eye and states passionately: "I believe rugby to be the food of life.

"Nothing else brings such unbridled joy to so many people from the grim North to the bright lights of Twickenham.

"I have devoted my life to bringing such joy to people who stood on the terraces supporting their club."

God looks up and offers Robinson the seat to his left.

 

He then turns to Sheridan: "And you, Andy, what do you believe?"

Sheridan stands tall and proud: "I believe courage, honour and passion are the fundamentals to life and I've spent my whole career providing a living embodiment of those traits."

God, moved by the passion of the speech, offers Sheridan the seat to his right.

Then he turns to Wilkinson: "And finally you, Jonny, what do you believe?"

"I believe," says Jonny, "you are sitting in my seat."