Kicked out

The only response to the prospect of the England rugby kicker Jonny Wilkinson leaving for a career in American football, raised by his coach Clive Woodward yesterday, must be a national whip-round. Anything to get his salary up to what he could enjoy Stateside. We're short enough of heroes as it is. But, oh dear, could any of our other sports stars be tempted to make the trip? Michael Vaughan playing baseball? David James in the NBL?

The only response to the prospect of the England rugby kicker Jonny Wilkinson leaving for a career in American football, raised by his coach Clive Woodward yesterday, must be a national whip-round. Anything to get his salary up to what he could enjoy Stateside. We're short enough of heroes as it is. But, oh dear, could any of our other sports stars be tempted to make the trip? Michael Vaughan playing baseball? David James in the NBL?

Hang on, though: maybe this is our chance to dispose of some of our less desirable sportsmen. How about sending Lee Bowyer to play ice hockey in Milwaukee? Sadly, not even American sport is that eccentric.