Do not expect Alexa Ferguson in the dugout any time soon. Still, if Wingate & Finchley needed a win in this relegation six-pointer, they got it off the pitch. 

Not many clubs fighting the drop would make education a priority on an important day like this, but Wingate are not most clubs.

On Saturday, they placed the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) coach in the world pitchside. Programmed into an Amazon Echo and voiced by their Alexa tool, it is very much in the early days of development. 

Wingate & Finchley had an Artificial Intelligence on their bench for draw with Whitehawk

There was a purpose though. ‘We want to inspire children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics practices,’ said manager Dave Norman. 

‘My background is in teaching. I train teachers and coaches to inspire the next generation.’

The uses of the AI coach are still limited. ‘This is in its embryonic stages and is only as good as the information given to it,’ he added. 

But Norman was impressed pre-match. During a demonstration of the system, the AI coach managed to recommend the same formation Norman picked for the game.

And inside the clubhouse, which must rank among the best at Isthmian League level, there was a show of five hands when a group of children were asked whether the AI coach made them want to look into programming.

When programmer Ronald Ashford was asked whether it can replace a manager, he replied: ‘I don’t think it can.’ His hope is it will drive interest in the Big Bang Fair, a national science festival in March.

This sort of community outreach suits Wingate. That strand of the club was set up in 1946 to battle anti-semitism.

Paul Lerman, the grandson of co-founder Maurice Rebak, after whom their stadium is named, said: ‘The plan was to achieve that by helping people integrate through football. That’s still what we do today, helping underprivileged people have a great place to play and watch football. All of those things come together to promote inclusion in society.’

The club hope to inspire children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

While anti-semitic incidents are on the rise nationwide, they are dropping at Wingate. Lerman estimated a few years ago that there was generally an issue once a season, and that has fallen to one every handful of campaigns.

That comes despite the prominent Star of David on the badge and on the clock opposite the oldest remaining cantilever stand in the country.

They have obvious history but Wingate & Finchley have always owed something to scientists. When Wingate were left homeless after the Government compulsory purchased their stadium to expand the M1, Margaret Thatcher helped them merge with Finchley.

They believe they were the only team in the country to hold a minute’s silence when she died.

Wingate & Finchley have a proud history of innovation and want to continue that trend

On the pitch, Norman did not turn to the AI coach during the 1-1 draw against relegation rivals Whitehawk. Recommended 4-2-3-1 formation or not, the light on the Echo did not flash when he decided to throw on another striker. 

No voice warned, ‘I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.’ It paid off when Alieu Njie was teed up for a late equaliser.

An AI coach may no longer be science fiction, but it’ll be a while before it can make decisions like that.

England took a massive step towards winning the Women’s Six Nations with an emphatic 41-26 victory over reigning champions France in Doncaster.

In a contest which was widely billed as a title decider following impressive wins for both sides in the opening round of fixtures, England raced into a 24-0 lead at half-time and survived a brief French rally to run out comfortable winners.

The home side thought they had opened the scoring in the fifth minute when full-back Sarah McKenna breezed past two opponents to touch down under the posts, but following an intervention from the TMO the try was ruled out after Poppy Leitch was penalised for blocking Romane Menager in the scrum.

England took a huge step towards winning the Women’s Six Nations by beating France

Simon Middleton’s side saw off reigning champions France 41-26 in Doncaster on Sunday

It did not take for long for England to break the deadlock however, Jess Breach touching down in the 11th minute after collecting a pinpoint cross-field kick from fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean, whose conversion made her the first English woman to pass the landmark of 500 international points.

Poppy Cleall then crashed over from close range after winger Kelly Smith had been stopped just short of the line and England increased their lead through Breach’s second score despite Vickii Cornborough being shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

A frantic start to the second half saw three tries scored in the space of seven minutes, with Safi N’Diaye and the influential Pauline Bourdon scoring for France and Cleall grabbing her second try for the Red Roses.

England raced into a 24-0 lead at half-time and survived a brief French rally to run out winners

But tries from substitute Hannah Botterman and Cath O’Donnell effectively put the result beyond doubt and late scores from Bourdon and Romane Menager were little consolation for the well-beaten visitors.

England head coach Simon Middleton: ‘That was a massive win for us and I was really pleased with how we came out and attacked and kept our discipline. We let France in during the second half but that only shows what a world-class side they are.

‘We are not the finished article yet and there is plenty still for us to work on. Tonight we will let ourselves celebrate a great win but there is no place for complacency.’