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December 24, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 24

Posted on 12/24/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

Take, take, take

Christmas is a time for giving, unless you’re Peter Stringer. Then it’s just take, take, take. Just ask James O’Connor.

Quote Unquote
”I would say the referee was a joke but I'd probably get fined for it so I won't.”
- The biggest mouth of 2011 - Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu - can’t quite get his head around when he’s overstepped the mark. Even when he’s trying not to overstep the mark.

Trivia Time
Q. Richie McCaw has played 103 Tests for the Alll Blacks. How many has he won?
(Yesterday's answer: Twickenham has staged the Heineken Cup Final on three occasions.)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Alain Rolland has a quiet word with the Harlequins bench. What is he saying?© Getty Images

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December 23, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 23

Posted on 12/23/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

Bum rushed

If you will insist on pulling off great hand-offs in your own in-goal, Horacio Agulla, we’ll be forced to pull your shorts down on live TV. Which, of course, your mum might be watching.

Quote Unquote
”He was a prick to coach.”
- Piri Weepu’s mum on, Piri Weepu.

Trivia Time
Q. Twickenham will host the Heineken Cup Final in May - how many times has the big one been staged there in the past?

(Yesterday's answer: New Zealand have failed to win the IRB Sevens World Series on three occasions: in 2005-06 (Fiji), 2008-09 (South Africa) and 2009-10 (Samoa).)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Shane Williams gets fired up at the Millennium Stadium© Getty Images

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December 22, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 22

Posted on 12/22/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

Snatching defeat from the jaws of defeat
You know when you kick the winning drop-goal, and it turns out that it’s not the winning drop-goal? That. Only happening to Felipe Contepomi. Who’s no mathematician.

Quote Unquote
”I told them they are a bunch of spoiled brats. Undisciplined, disobedient, sometimes selfish. Always complaining, always whingeing.”
- France boss Marc Lievremont rolls out another famous motivational speech.

Trivia Time
Q. On how many occasions have New Zealand failed to win the IRB Sevens World Series?

(Yesterday's answer: Toby Faletau missed precisely zero tackles during the Rugby World Cup.)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


England Sevens’ Dan Norton has something to smile about. What?© Getty Images

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December 21, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 21

Posted on 12/21/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

What would you say if Jesus was sat next to you?
Leinster fly-half Jonathan Sexton has had to vie with the best of them over the past year. He played a key role in Leinster's epic comeback against Northampton Saints in the Heineken Cup final while also keeping the scoreboard ticking over during the World Cup for Ireland. But when faced with the question - among others - 'what would you do if Jesus was sat next to you?'..watch how he copes with that pressure.

Quote Unquote
”The one thing that is consistent about Gavin Henson is that he's still pretty orange.”
- London Irish's Toby Booth provides his take on the tangoed Henson.

Trivia Time
Q.How many tackles did Toby Faletau miss during the World Cup ?

(Yesterday's answer: Shane Williams scored 22 tries in the Six Nations.)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


What is going on in this picture?© Getty Images

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December 20, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 20

Posted on 12/20/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

Flying (one-cap) Fijian
With Leinster showing their class by thumping Bath at Lansdowne Road last weekend, why not rewind to one of the best moments in last season’s Heineken Cup - Isa Nacewa’s stunning solo try against Leicester at the same ground.

Quote Unquote
”You are only allowed to wear coloured boots if you've played over 50 times for the Ospreys or over 15 times for your country.”
- The quote that broke hearts at the Ospreys. For shame, Sean Holley. For shame.

Trivia Time
Q. Shane Williams played 41 Six Nations games. How many of his 58 tries for Wales were scored in that tournament?

(Yesterday's answer: David Barnes holds the Premiership appearance record for Bath.)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


What has caught Eoin Reddan’s attention?© Getty Images

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December 19, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 19

Posted on 12/19/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

Check this out
While the temperature plummets in Europe ahead of Christmas, the All Blacks showcased their vast array of skills around the barbecue. Their outrageous video has been reproduced, replicated and attempted the world over, but there's only one team who can really do it justice.

Quote Unquote
"I would pay to watch Nick Evans train."
- Harlequins' Conor O'Shea lauds his Kiwi fly-half.

Trivia Time
Q. Which Bath Rugby player holds the club record for the most appearances in the Premiership? (answer to come tomorrow)

(Yesterday's answer: New Zealand beat England 33-22 in final of the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


What is being said between Morgan Parra and George Chuter?© Getty Images

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December 18, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 18

Posted on 12/18/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

"Can you believe it?!"
The globe-trotting HSBC World Sevens Series often provides a feast for the eye - both on and off the field. And the finale of the 2010-11 season was no exception with South Africa claiming a stunning last-gasp triumph over Australia at the Murrayfield 7s. The Blitzbokke trailed 28-7 and 35-19 but conjured a late rally with Sibusiso Sithole the hero with the title-winning score. Simply phenomenal stuff.

Quote Unquote
" I love rugby! Soccer is a bit boring for me but this game is off the hook. It is nuts."
- Britain's Got Talent judge and one-time Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is taken with rugby union whilst working in the UK.

Trivia Time
Q. Who won the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship Final and who did they beat in the title-decider? (answer to come tomorrow)

(Yesterday's answer: New Zealand beat France 37-17 in the pool stages of this year's Rugby World Cup)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Saracens' Andy Saull and Tom Ryder pack down with The Saturdays© Getty Images

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December 17, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 17

Posted on 12/17/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

"Nice little right hand there"
All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams caused a bit of a stir during the Rugby World Cup when he lost his shirt and he'll be stripped to the waist once again in a couple of months when he resumes his boxing career. The multi-talented SBW will tackle Richard Tutaki for the New Zealand heavyweight title on February 8 having recorded four straight wins in the ring - the latest of which was against the not-so-formidable Alipate Liava'a. Re-live this 'classic' below...

Quote Unquote
"Believe me, if you've played an hour and half of rugby and you've really enjoyed it, you're not going to want to go off and get involved in some gang fight."
- Mayor of London Boris Johnson offers his support to the RFU's touch rugby initiative.

Trivia Time
Q. New Zealand only just edged out France in the Rugby World Cup Final - but what was the score when they beat them in the pool stages? (answer to come tomorrow)

(Yesterday's answer: The most-capped non-Tier 1 international is Romania's Cristian Petre who has 85 Test caps to date)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Leicester's Manu Tuilagi and Northampton's Chris Ashton share a word after their infamous punch-up earlier this year© Getty Images

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December 16, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 16

Posted on 12/16/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

"The greatest recovery of all time in this competition"
Sky Sports' Miles Harrison makes another appearance in our countdown having been behind the mic for a truly epic Heineken Cup Final back in May. Trailing 22-6 at half-time, Leinster defied the odds, thanks largely to an inspiring speech from fly-half Jonathan Sexton, to claim an astonishing 33-22 victory. Re-live the drama one more time...

Quote Unquote
"There was a seminar on quantum physics and not only did Jonny give a speech at that conference, but he gave it in French."
- Jonny Wilkinson's long-term mentor Steve Black offers an insight into the mind of the England fly-half.

Trivia Time
Q. Who is the most-capped player from a non-Tier 1 nation? (answer to come tomorrow)

(Yesterday's answer: Richie McCaw has been on the losing side just 12 times in his 103 outings for the All Blacks)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Bill Beaumont and Bernard Lapasset pictured in happier times - but what are they saying?© Getty Images

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December 15, 2011

Festive Countdown - December 15

Posted on 12/15/2011

It's that time of year again and in what is now surely a tradition to rival the turkey, the tree and all the trimmings, we're delighted to herald the return the ESPNscrum Festive Countdown for your amusement.

Once again, we'll be counting down the days until the big one with an assortment of trivia and novelties to brighten your day - sadly, chocolate not included. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!

"He's spending more time in the backs than he is in the forwards"
You wouldn't need too many guesses to identify the player Sky Sports' Miles Harrison was talking about when he used the phrase above. Saracens' Schalk Brits is so often the driving force behind his side and was a key figure in their run to the Aviva Premiership title last season - and along the way he scooped the Try of the Year award for this effort.

Quote Unquote
"For a quick throw-in, the player must use the ball that went into touch. A quick throw-in is not permitted if another person has touched the ball apart from the player throwing it in and an opponent who carried it into touch."
- Law 19.2 (d) of the International Rugby Board's Laws of the Game that escaped the officials during Wales' Six Nations victory over Ireland in March.

Trivia Time
Q. Richie McCaw has played 103 Test matches for the All Blacks - but how many times has he finished on the losing side? (answer to come tomorrow)

(Yesterday's answer: The Rugby World Cup clash between New Zealand and Japan featured a Williams (Sonny Bill), a Webb (Shaun) and an Ellis (Andrew)

Caption Comp
We provide the picture. You provide the caption. Simple. No prizes except bragging rights among our faithful following. Check out the picture below and then click here to give it or check out our Facebook page to give it your best shot and we'll post the best.


Quins' Danny Care has come clean about his recent arrest but what is he saying here?© Getty Images

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About
Graham Jenkins joined Scrum in 1999 and took over the reins for a second time in 2006. His journalistic career has also seen him work for BBC Sport and IMG and he currently lives with his family in Farnham. Graham Jenkins
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