To help you get in the festive spirit we were delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We've counted down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties and we've hopefully raised a smile or two.
Well, the big day is finally upon us - check out our final offering below and be sure to have a fantastic Christmas and New Year!
The Greatest Try of All-time
'THAT try' - widely regarded as the greatest ever scored. Few will need reminding that it featured in the Barbarians' 1973 victory over New Zealand in Cardiff. From Phil Bennett's three successive steps to Gareth Edwards' dive to score in the corner, never has the game conjured such a magical moment. Sit back and enjoy it again, and again, and again.
Quote Unquote
"If the greatest writer of the written word would have written that story no-one would have believed it. That really was something." - commentator Cliff Morgan reflects on the 'greatest' try ever scored.
Fantasy XV
It seems fitting to bring the curtain down on our epic series of Fantasy XV selections with our take on an All-time Greatest XV. Fans of the game will know that this is no easy task with so many close calls throughout the side - in-fact the make up of this team has changed several times already. We make no apologies for the modern flavour to the side but ask us again tomorrow and you'll probably get a completely different side!
15. Serge Blanco (France)
14. David Campese (Australia)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Tim Horan (Australia)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9. Gareth Edwards (Wales)
1. Os du Randt (South Africa)
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
3. Jason Leonard (England)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. John Eales (Australia)
6. Francois Pienaar (South Africa)
7. Michael Jones (New Zealand)
8. Mervyn Davies (Wales)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Irish eyes are smiling
It was unquestionably Ireland’s year with a Six Nations Grand Slam and Leinster lifting the Heineken Cup, so with the clock running down on 2009 here’s Tommy Bowe’s brilliant try against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in March.
Lost in translation
"I was busy trying to tell him [the referee] that I was waiting for the kicking tee but my
pronunciation was marginally out because I was, in fact, telling him that I wanted a cup of tea."
Toulon’s England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson gets to grips with life in France.
Pop Quiz
Which two players have played all nine of the Pacific Islanders’ Tests? Click here for the answer.
Fantasy XV
Leadership is vital in rugby, with the skipper often setting the tone for a side’s performance with some carefully chosen words or an all-action display. Our latest Fantasy XV pulls together 15 of the best skippers to have led their countries, try getting a word in edgeways.
15. Gavin Hastings (Scotland and British & Irish Lions)
14. Ieuan Evans (Wales)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Will Carling (England)
11. Gareth Thomas (Wales)
10. Hugo Porta (Argentina)
9. David Kirk (New Zealand)
1. David Sole (Scotland)
2. Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand)
3. John Smit (South Africa)
4. Martin Johnson (England and British & Irish Lions)
5. Willie-John McBride (Ireland and British & Irish Lions)
6. Jean-Pierre Rives (France)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Mervyn Davies (Wales)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
The most dramatic drop goal ever?
Harlequins' Heineken Cup hopes may well be hanging by the thinnest of threads this season but it was not the case just 12 months ago. The Premiership club and French giants Stade Francais played out a memorable two-act drama in Paris and Twickenham with Quins fly-half Nick Evans delivering the coup de grâce at a rain and wind-swept Stoop. Incredible sporting drama.
Pop quiz
Who was the first coloured Springbok and when was he first capped? Click here for the answer
The aftershave incident
England's Cornish prop Colin Smart will forever be remembers in rugby circles as theman who drank a bottle of aftershave at an after-match dinner. The incident took place in Paris, following an internationa, and was sparked off by the English players each being presented with a bottle of aftershave s a gift from their hosts. Some surreptitiously emptied their bottles and filled them up again with water. Smart, unaware of what theyhad done, was then challenged to down his bottle quick than others.
Sadly the practical joke almost had tragic consequences. Smart rapidly became ill and had to be rushed to hospital to have his sotmach pumped. Still. it has caused much mirth since and has certainly given Smart more than his 15 minutes of fame. After a fine win over Wales a month later, England scrum-hlf Steve Smith quipped, "The aftershave will sure taste good tonight!".*
Fantasy XV
In the wake of Gareth Thomas' decision to come 'out' about his sexuality, we offer our latest Fantasy XV. The great and the good of the light entertainment world get the nod with outside centre Andy Warhol ensuring a creative edge, fly-half Liberace pulling the strings, or tinkling the ivories, at No.10 and Siegfried and Roy's long-running partnership continuing in the second row. However, we're not sure this side would stand a chance at the Bingham Cup.
15. George Michael
14. Waylon Smithers
13. Andy Warhol
12. Kenneth Williams
11. Larry Grayson
10. Liberace
9. Graham Norton
1. John Barrowman
2. Elton John
3. Stephen Fry
4. Siegfried
5. Roy
6. Julian Clary
7. Ian McKellan
8. Boy George
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Sit down
Mat Rogers got on the wrong side of Josh Lewsey during a Test down under in 2003, leading the England fullback to exact some painful revenge on the former rugby league man. All together now…SIT DOWN!
Pop quiz
Which player has seen the most yellow cards at Test level? Click Here for the answer.
The player drain
In recent times players have been following the riches available in Europe, but it’s not often that they have revealed how a prospective move affected their family. Ex-Cardiff Blues fly-half Nick Robinson did just that before leaving for Gloucester.
"My mother is devastated at the news as all three sons will be leaving next season. I'll be moving to Gloucester, Jamie's moving to France and my younger brother is hoping to go away to University. But on a positive note it frees up her weekends."
Fantasy XV
There have been plenty of southern hemisphere success stories for European clubs, with cult heroes and world class operators alike lighting up the landscape. In our latest Fantasy XV we pull together a mean side of the most successful imports.
15. Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina/Stade Francais)
14. Doug Howlett (New Zealand/Munster)
13. Regan King (New Zealand/Scarlets)
12. Lifeimi Mafi (New Zealand/Munster)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand/Cardiff Blues)
10. Brock James (Australia/Clermont Auvergne)
9. Byron Kelleher (New Zealand/Toulouse)
1. Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina/Stade Francais)
2. Mario Ledesma (Argentina/Clermont Auvergne)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand/Newcastle)
4. Patricio Albacete (Argentina/Toulouse)
5. Paul Tito (New Zealand/Cardiff Blues)
6. Rocky Elsom (Australia/Leinster)
7. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina/Toulon)
8. Dan Lyle (USA/Bath)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Enjoy it while it lasts
This game of Bulldogs was probably the closest the 2005 Lions got to beating the All Blacks.
Kiwi bashing
Which Australian player holds the record for most appearances and tries against their arch-rivals New Zealand? Click Here for the answer.
Quote Unquote
Flattery will get you nowhere apparently, so why not stick the boot in. Here’s Martin Johnson explaining a helpful text he received from a friend after handing Courtney Lawes his England Test debut.
"Someone text me saying he's a bit like I used to be, but more athletic, funnier and better looking."
Fantasy XV
It’s all in the family for out latest Fantasy XV as we pull together 15 players who have played before, alongside or against another member of their family. Not just in the garden, obviously. We’d be here all day.
15. Gysie Pienaar (South Africa, father of Ruan)
14. Tony Underwood (England, brother of Rory)
13. Tana Umaga (New Zealand, brother of Mike)
12. Mike Umaga (Samoa, brother of Tana)
11. Rory Underwood (England, brother of Tony)
10. Ruan Pienaar (South Africa, son of Gysie)
9. Guy Easterby (Ireland, brother of Simon)
1. Pedro Ledesma (Argentina, brother of Pumas’ hooker Mario)
2. Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa, brother of Jannie)
3. Jannie du Plessis (South Africa, brother of Bismarck)
4. Brent Cockbain (Wales, brother of Matt)
5. Robin Brooke (New Zealand, brother of Zinzan)
6. Matt Cockbain (Australia, brother of Brent)
7. Simon Easterby (Ireland, brother of Guy)
8. Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand, brother of Robin)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Prop goal
We're all well aware of the dramatic impact a drop goal can have - just think Stransky in '95 or Wilkinson in '03 - but we prefer the entertainment value provided by those forwards brave enough to have a go. Just think of Zinzan Brooke's effort for the All Blacks against England at the 1995 Rugby World Cup or Wasps lock Simon Shaw slotting a kick while on Premiership duty. But Waratahs and Wallabies prop Matt Dunning tops the lot. His side were chasing a place in the 2003 Super 12 semi-finals and needed two tries to secure a bonus point win against the Chiefs in Sydney with the clock running down. With a penalty coming, Dunning collects the ball and lines up an unlikely drop goal in the belief it will miss and give his side the chance to kick for the corner - but he makes a sweet connection that sends it through the posts. Cue his apologetic celebration. The Tahs never made it to the post-season but Dunning had his magic moment.
Trivia time - what's in a name?
Match these players with their unusual middle names - click on the links for the answers courtesy of our Player Profiles:
Olympic glory
Winger Daniel Caroll is the only man in history to have won two Olympic gold medals for rugby union. Carroll won his first with the Australasia side that claimed glory at the 1908 Games and his second with the United States at the 1920 Olympics. He is also the only player to have been capped at senior level by both players, playing for the Wallabies against Wales in 1908, and then, coincidentally, against the United States in 1912. After serving in the First World War with the US Army, having moved to America following that 1912 Wallaby tour, he was capped by the USA in 1920.
Fantasy XV
To celebrate the pantomime debut of what Daily Mail theatre critic Quentin Letts called the 'famous double act that is Pamela Anderson', we bring you our latest Fantasy XV selection featuring some family favourites. Peter Pan and Dick Whittington form a lively half-back pairing while the Ugly Sisters and Widow Twankey will lead the forward effort with our money on openside Ali Baba picking up a yellow card before half-time.
15. Puss (in Boots)
14. Cinderella
13. Aladdin
12. Goldilocks
11. Prince Charming
10. Peter Pan
9. Dick Whittington
1. Ugly Sister
2. Widow Twankey
3. Ugly Sister
4. Jack (& his Beanstalk)
5. Baron Hardup
6. The Snow Queen
7. Ali Baba
8. Mother Goose
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Festive jumpers
YouTube really is a wondrous joy, full of gems to brighten even the darkest day. Our latest offering needs no more introduction than the rather apt title given to it on the video sharing website - enjoy the following three seconds of unintentional comic genius.
What the F...?
An unfortunate misprint in the match programme to accompany the 1980 France v Ireland international meant that the surname of the Irish forward Colm Tucker was spelt with an F instead of a T.*
Pop quiz
Q. Who was capped first - Australia's George Gregan or England's Martin Johnson? Click on the links to check out their player profiles
Fantasy XV
In tribute to our cousins across the pond, our latest fantasy selection features some of the stars of the NFL. Now, our knowledge of the game may not be the greatest but we know a big guy when we see one and gas is gas whether you're running in studs or cleats. And with a little extra research - with thanks to Google - we have conjured a pretty formidable side featuring an Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter in 'Bullet Bob' Hayes, the best 'clutch' kicker of all time in Adam Vinatieri and 7ft 7in Bob Bobinghanger. Brett Favre is calling the shots at fly-half while we have strong ball-runners galore with the likes of Bo Jackson at outside centre and Walter Payton at blindside. So here we go - no pads or helmets allowed!
15. Adam Vinatieri (Kicker, Patriots & Colts)
14. Bob Hayes (Wide Receiver, Cowboys & 49ers)
13. Bo Jackson (Running Back, Raiders)
12. Deion Sanders (Cornerback, Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, Ravens)
11. Darrell Green (Cornerback, Redskins)
10. Brett Favre (Quarterback, Packers, Jets, Vikings)
9. Drew Brees (Quarterback, Chargers, Saints)
1. Reggie White (Defensive End, Eagles, Packers, Panthers)
2. Joe Greene (Defensive Tackle, Steelers)
3. Mike Singletary (Linebacker, Bears)
4. Jonathan Ogden (Offensive Tackle, Ravens)
5. Bob Bobinghanger
6. Walter Payton (Running Back, Bears)
7. Barry Sanders (Running Back, Lions)
8. LaDainian Tomlinson (Running Back, Chargers)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Shorts? Not for me, thank-you
Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan decides that he doesn’t need any shorts in order to contest a lineout against Cardiff Blues in the 2007 Heineken Cup.
It takes 2
Which hooker has scored the most tries at Test level? Click Here for the answer.
Quote Unquote
The ELVs had a lot of detractors – chief among them Leicester and England hooker George Chuter.
"I was disappointed that some of the [Experimental Law Variation] suggestions I emailed to the IRB appear not to have been considered worthy of even a trial in the Welsh fourth division. These include scrums instead of kick-offs, scrums instead of lineouts, scrums instead of backs moves and the outlawing of any hair product. I don't know where our game is heading but I'm sure it's going to be a place that doesn't welcome fat, slow old people with no hair. I'll get my coat."
Fantasy XV
The end of a playing career can be a triumphant or solemn occasion, but many players go on to forge a new legacy for themselves in the ultra-competitive world of coaching. In our latest Fantasy XV we put together the best that the coaching world currently has to offer.
15. Mike Catt (London Irish)
14. Jeff Wilson (North Harbour)
13. Brendan Venter (Saracens)
12. Ian McGeechan (ex-Wasps, British & Irish Lions)
11. Philippe Saint-Andre (Toulon)
10. Neil Jenkins (Wales)
9. Pierre Berbizier (Racing Metro)
1. Ewen McKenzie (Queensland Reds)
2. Richard Cockerill (Leicester Tigers)
3. Dai Young (Cardiff Blues)
4. Martin Johnson (England)
5. Todd Blackadder (Crusaders)
6. Andy Robinson (Scotland)
7. Marc Lievremont (France)
8. Nick Mallett (Italy)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
The biggest rugby fight ever
It may well be the season of goodwill but we can still delight in a good old-fashioned dust up. This example from a Romanian league clash is of epic and alarming proportions and the officials appear to go missing when tempers boil over. Keep your eye out for the back who opts to throw the ball from a safe distance rather than a punch from close quarters.
Pop quiz
Q. Ireland clinched only their second ever Grand Slam earlier this year - but what year did they win their first? Click here for the answer
Quote Unquote
"Sorry for missing that penalty kick - I don't know what went wrong - it was such an easy shot. I could kick myself."
"I shouldn't bother - you'd probably miss!"
Conversation between Scotland's Gavin Hastings and his captain David Sole after his fullback had missed an easy penalty in the 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final clash with England at Twickenham. The scores were locked a 6-6 at the time and England's Rob Andrew eventually dropped a goal to seal his side's final berth.*
Fantast XV
As we're feeling a bit feisty thanks to our Romanian friends, how about continuing the theme with our latest Fantasy selection featuring rugby's hardest men? We thought about just fielding the all-action Southern Kings just to give them a game when no-one else seems to want them but there were too many other unsavoury types lurking in the shadows. Our backline punches above its weight in terms of their non-nonsense style and appetite for the fight - remember JPR in '74? - but the real hardmen can be found up front. We tried totalling the amount of time these guys have served in suspension but our calculator went into meltdown.
15. JPR Williams
14. Brian Lima
13. De Wet Barry
12. Lee Thomas
11. Marika Vunibaka
10. Butch James
9. Joost van der Westuizen
1. Richard Loe
2. Federico Mendez
3. Julian White
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Jamie Cudmore
6. Corne Krige
7. Trevor Brennan
8. Buck Shelford
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Habana gets burnt again
We've already witnessed Springboks winger Bryan Habana getting gassed once in our Festive Countdown and our latest offering sees him outpaced again - although this time it happens to be by cheetah. Habana took up the challenge as part of a conservation project and in his words was delighted to see the cheetah go past him, "because then I knew he wasn't after my rump!"
Quote Unquote
"Justin Harrison is not a patient man. I think he struggles to untangle the Christmas lights without losing it." - Sky Sports commentator Mark Robson nails a psychological profile of former Bath lock Justin Harrinson.
Fantasy XV
The stars were out in London on Saturday night for the annual Comedy Awards and we honour the occasion with our latest Fantasy selection - that features the great and the good of British & Irish comedy. The assured delivery of Dave Allen sees him claim the No.10 berth while we're hoping Tommy Cooper can work a little magic as his half-back partner. Roy 'Chubby' Brown's fondness for material close to the mark seemed a natural fit with the dark arts of the front row while Al Murray's no-nonsense approach makes him a formidable No.8
15. Jimmy Carr
14. Lee Evans
13. Harry Hill
12. Peter Cook
11. Russell Brand
10. Dave Allen
9. Tommy Cooper
1. Roy 'Chubby' Brown
2. Les Dawson
3. Peter Kay
4. John Cleese
5. Billy Connolly
6. Eddie Izzard
7. Mark Thomas
8. Al Murray
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
"One of the most sensational tries that Twickenham has ever seen"
'Attack is the best form of defence' we are told and there are no better exponents of that philosophy than Les Bleus in full flight. This classic Philippe Saint-Andre score, from the 1991 Five Nations clash with England, starts behind the goal posts and ends with what commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith quite rightly calls, "one of the most sensational tries that Twickenham has ever seen."
Pop quiz
Q. Who has scored the most Test tries in the British & Irish Lions famous red jersey? Click here for the answer
You what?
"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad." - Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll has the press pack scratching their heads ahead of his side's Six Nations clash with England earlier this year. The quote was lifted from the team's itinerary much to the delight of his fellow squad members.
Fantasy XV
Another classic quandary is answered with our latest Fantasy selection in the form of an Animal Kingdom XV. We felt the need to have some boundaries in order to give the opposition a chance and so no wings allowed, no creatures that live primarily under water and nothing pre-historic. The result is still a formidable line-up - pace abounds in the backline with the Cheetah and Greyhound while the Kangaroo's aerial ability makes him a safe choice at No.15. The Lion will call the shots at fly-half as long as he can keep his mind on the job and not the hind quarters of his half-back partner the Gazelle. But as we know the game is won up front and with a front row featuring a Gorilla, Hippo and Rhino and the incomparable Giraffe/Grizzly partnership in the second row the backs may not be needed.
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Leg it
Biarritz wing Takudzwa Ngwenya secured his first professional contract when he decided at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, while playing for the USA, that he was going to take Bryan Habana on the outside. He did, and got himself a tidy little job in the South of France.
Calling for the TMO
The first instance of ‘going upstairs’ came in 2000 when English referee Steve Lander called on the TMO to confirm a score by All Blacks skipper Todd Blackadder against Tonga in Albany.
Fantasy XV
The New Zealand Rugby Union recently failed in a bid for players to be allowed to represent two countries, but there are still plenty of examples throughout the history of the game of player who switched allegiances. In our latest XV we put together a side featuring naturalised internationals.
15. Shane Howarth (Four New Zealand caps, 19 for Wales)
14. Sitiveni Sivivatu (Three Pacific Islands caps, 43 for New Zealand)
13. Inga Tuigamala (19 New Zealand caps, 23 for Samoa)
12. Riki Flutey (Nine England caps, New Zealand Maori international)
11. Lesley Vainikolo (Five England caps, New Zealand Rugby League international)
10. Diego Dominguez (Two Argentina caps, 74 Italy caps)
9. Will Genia (11 Australia caps, born in Papua New Guinea)
1. Pieter de Villiers (69 France caps, born in South Africa)
2. Dylan Hartley (14 England caps, born in New Zealand)
3. Patricio Noriega (25 Argentina caps, 24 Australia caps)
4. Nathan Hines (61 Scotland caps, born in Australia)
5. Brent Cockbain (24 Wales caps, born in Australia)
6. Thierry Dusautoir (28 France caps, born in the Ivory Coast)
7. Brett Sinkinson (20 Wales caps, born in New Zealand)
8. Sergio Parisse (67 Italy caps, born in Argentina)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Rugby is a contact sport and so is dancing
"Why don't we all go to the nearest ballet shop, get some nice tutus and get a great dancing show going on?" Just one of the many priceless gems to have rolled off the tongue of South Africa coach Peter de Villiers since he took charge of the Springboks - on this occasion his outburst came in the wake of the Schalk Burger's clawing of Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald in the opening moments of the second Test in Pretoria. De Villers drew laughter from the travelling media in the post-match press conference when he seemed to suggest the alleged incident didn't happen and drew more sniggers a couple of days later when we refused to let the issue lie. Burger was of course cleared of eye-gouging but found guilty of 'making contact with the eye/eye area' - don't get us started again...
Bonkers and brilliant. And guaranteed to raise a smile again as part of our festive countdown!
Eyes down...
Irish fullback Dolway Walkingtn, who earned eight caps for Ireland between 1887 and 1891, regularly wore a monocle because of his short-sightedness. The NIFC player often tucked his monocle into his pocket before attempting a tackle, while in one famous incident against Wales in 1891, he caught an up-and-under from a Welsh player, removed his monocle and then landed a beautiful drop goal. Despite his intervention, Ireland lost the game at Stradey Park and Walkington never played for Ireland again.*
Pop quiz(Answers below)
Q1. Who is the all-time leading scorer in the English Premiership?
Q2. Who is the all-time leading try-scorer in the English Premiership?
Q3. Who is the all-time leading scorer in the Heineken Cup?
Q4. Who is the all-time leading try-scorer in the Heineken Cup?
Q5. Who has made the most appearances in Heineken Cup history?
Fantasy XV:
Our latest Fantasy selection comes from our very own Disney/Pixar stable and is made up of some of the bright lights in the world of animation. The backline has pace aplenty with young Dash parr but may lack a little muscle. In contrast the forward pack oozes class and venom with a yet another tasty backrow - this time featuring the man-mountain Beast at blindside, the Andy Powell-esque Mr Incredible at openside and the equally sizeable Baloo at No.8. The not-so-innocent Snow White achors our scrum due to her ability to handle seven grizzly dwarf miners on a daily basis - insert your own hooker punchline.
15. Peter Pan (Peter Pan)
14. Timon (The Lion King)
13. Roger Rabbitt (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)
12. Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
11. Dash Parr (The Incredibles)
10. Mufasa (The Lion King)
9. Aladdin (Aladdin)
1. Mr Potato Head (Toy Story)
2. Snow White (Snow White)
3. Pumbaa (The Lion King)
4. Jafar (Aladdin)
5. Cruella de Vil (One Hundred and One Dalmations)
6. Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
7. Bob Parr/Mr Incredible (The Incredibles)
8. Baloo (The Jungle Book)
* With thanks to The Ireland Rugby Miscellany
Answers: Q1. Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Q2.Steve Hanley (Sale), Q3.Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Q4. Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Q5. John Hayes (Munster)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
The chiropractor will see you now
Sorry Derick. Brian Lima delivers a trademark tackle on Springbok Derick Hougaard at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Living up to the best sporting nickname of them all, ladies and gentlemen, 'The Chiropractor'.
By invitation only
It’s an exclusive club. The Barbarians showed with their Twickenham victory over New Zealand that the black and white hoops still hold their allure in the modern era, but none of the professionals on display will quite make it to the levels seen in the amateur days. Irish wing Tony O’Reilly holds the record number of Barbarian caps, with 30 between 1955 and 1963, but does not make the club’s roll of honour.
Places there are reserved for Jack Kyle, Gareth Edwards, Cliff Morgan, Phil Bennett, Philippe Sella, David Campese, Jerry Guscott, Mike Gibson, Zinzan Brooke, Bill Beaumont, Jason Leonard, Gerald Davies, Francois Pienaar Andy Irvine, Michael Lynagh and David Duckham.
Fantasy XV
A select number of players make it to Test level. Even fewer establish themselves in that rarefied atmosphere. Fewer still ever get towards the heady realms of a century of Test caps; in our latest Fantasy XV we select the most experienced side in history.
15. Percy Montgomery (South Africa, 102 caps)
14. Gareth Thomas (Wales and British & Irish Lions, 103 caps)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland and British & Irish Lions, 102 caps)
12. Philippe Sella (France, 111 caps)
11. David Campese (Australia, 101 caps)
10. Stephen Larkham (Australia, 102 caps)
9. George Gregan (Australia, 139 caps)
1. Jason Leonard (England and British & Irish Lions, 119 caps)
2. Rafael Ibanez (France, 98 caps)
3. John Hayes (Ireland and British & Irish Lions, 99 caps)
4. Fabien Pelous (France, 118 caps)
5. Victor Matfield (South Africa, 92 caps)
6. Colin Charvis (Wales and British & Irish Lions, 96 caps)
7. Martyn Williams (Wales and British & Irish Lions, 95 caps)
8. George Smith (Australia, 110 caps)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
The Howley try
The Heineken Cup is back this weekend, no doubt with a few hair-raising moments in store. Chances are they won’t top this one – Clement Poitrenaud’s howler to let Wasps scrum-half Rob Howley snatch the 2004 title away from Toulouse. No laughing at the back.
The ABC Club
International teams have been forced by IRB law to use numbered shirts since 1967, but the practice was not taken up by all sides until the advent of professionalism. Bristol and Leicester were two sides that employed letters to identify players, with Bristol’s shirts running from A-O (starting at fullback) and Leicester’s the other way. Some misty-eyed Welford Road regulars will remember ‘The ABC Club’, otherwise known as the front-row of Darren Garforth, Richard Cockerill and Graham Rowntree.*
Fantasy XV
They all think they can do it. Every rugby club dreads their props scoring, with flops over the line quickly becoming length-of-the-field efforts as championed by Wales’ Graham Price. Our latest Fantasy XV has 15 of the game’s best big men strung out through the backs – with Os du Randt and Carl Hayman remaining in their normal positions (because we were scared to move them).
15. Fran Cotton (England)
14. Marcus Horan (Ireland)
13. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
12. Ian McLauchlan (Scotland)
11. Graham Price (Wales)
10. Benn Robinson (Australia)
9. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
1. Os du Randt (South Africa)
2. Tom Smith (Scotland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
4. Andrew Sheridan (England)
5. John Hayes (Ireland)
6. Christian Califano (France)
7. Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina)
8. Wilson Whineray (New Zealand)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Pass the Deep Heat...
As you're digging out your boots on Boxing Day for the annual attempt to run off the excesses of the season, be thankful for global warming and the fact that a white Christmas is a rarity in the UK these days. These hardy souls took to the snow fields of Slovenia and although it looks like it could be fun the general consensus is that the novelty would last as long snowflake in hell. Rumour has it Wasps were lined up for a similar fixture but didn't like the look of the left channel...
Yet to refresh all parts...
Scotland have yet to produce a Heineken Cup winning side - and cannot even boast a finalist that at least Wales can lay claim to - but their players do know how to get the job done. Scots Craig Moir, Mattie Stewart, Budge Pountney and Donnie MacKinnon all started for Northampton when they beat Munster by a point in the 2000 finale while countrymen Richard Metcalfe and Simon Holmes were unused replacements. Andy Nicol and Davie Hilton shared in Bath's 1998 final victory over Brive - while Eric Peters sat on the bench. And Mark McMillan came off the bench during London Wasps' 2007 victory over Leicester at Twickenham.*
Pop quiz
Q. Name the three players to have broken the 1,000 Test points barrier? Click here for the answer
Q. Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll may have recently joined the 100 Test cap club thanks to his Lions exploits but he his not Ireland's most-capped player - who is? Click here for the answer
Q. Who has scored the most Test points for South Africa - Jannie de Beer or Bryan Habana? Click here for the answer
Fantasy XV:
Our latest Fantasy selection touches on a classic theme - that of Superheroes. Our line-up features some big names in every way including the powerful triumvirate of Spiderman, Batman and Superman with the latter packing down in a formidable backrow alongside Wolverine and Thor - not even Heinrich Brussow (who some have said boasts Super-human powers) would get a sniff of the ball against that lot. And in The Punisher I think we have stumbled upon Bakkies Botha's second row role model! The only problem would be convincing this team of match-winning individuals to play the team game and pass the ball.
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Rugby's loss is comedy's gain
It is not often we credit the achievement of grassroots heroes but we'll make an exception for former Guildford Grammar School 1st XV captain Terence Jones. OK, it is actually his later work as a member of The Pythons that earns him a place in our countdown and specifically his role in this sketch from Monty Python's Meaning of Life. His failure to pay attention to John Cleese's graphic sex education class is selection for the Boys v Masters rugby match...
Did you know?
The only jointly awarded Test try was scored by Wales' Howie Jones and Harry Peacock during their 12-7 victory over Ireland in Swansea on March 8, 1930.
Fantasy XV:
As we featured Band Aid's finest in yesterday's Fantasy selection, it only seemed fair to give USA for Africa's big names the same treatment. We all know We Are The World was not a patch on Do They Know It's Christmas but would this team be more of a match on the rugby field for Geldof and co? The USA has long been seen as a sleeping giant but we're not sure Springsteen could really boss things at No.10 or if the Piano Man could really make some music with the King of Pop in midfield. And there remain question marks over whether hooker Ray Charles could find his jumpers come lineout time.
15. Cyndi Lauper
14. Kenny Loggins
13. Billy Joel
12. Michael Jackson
11. Steve Perry
10. Bruce Springsteen
9. Bob Dylan
8. Huey Lewis
7. Tina Turner
6. Willie Nelson
5. Kenny Rogers
4. James Ingram
3. Paul Simon
2. Ray Charles
1. Stevie Wonder
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Dulcet and discordant tones
Rugby and singing go together like Red Bull and Jagermeister or PJ & Duncan but sadly not everyone drawn to the game is blessed with the voice of an angel. Post-match singing takes many forms and we present examples from either end of the spectrum. First up is the Fijian national side - who opt against a rendition of 'I used to work in Chicago' for something a little more subdued.
A lack of vocal ability is no barrier to participation - especially on the long coach journey back to the clubhouse. We're not sure what club this is but perhaps anonymity is best for everyone involved.
While we're on the subject...
The 1955 Lions became known as the 'Singing Lions'. The double act of Tony O'Reilly and Cecil Pedlow were always putting on a show and the dozen Welshmen on tour ensured there was rarely a quiet moment. The name was bestowed when the team delivered an impromptu performance of Afrikaans anthem Sarie Marais on arrival at Jan Smuts airport in Johannesburg. On their departure after a drawn series they sang Sarie Marais, Sospan Bach and Now is the Hour to the thousands of South Africans who turned up to wave them off. The Springboks were also in good voice on their way to the 1st Test, a fact Danie Craven apparently believed led to their loss on the basis that a team which sings before a Test is destined to weep after it (he banned the Boks from singing for the rest of the tour).*
Fantasy XV:
It was 25 years ago that Bob Geldof assembled the great and the good of the 1980s music scene to bring the famine in Ethiopia to the attention of the world. There's no doubting this line-up in terms of their pop credentials but could a centre pairing of George Michael and Boy George worry the world's best? The stories surrounding the recording and Status Quo's contribution have passed into legend and so they warrant their place but apparently they went missing when the anti-doping officials came knocking...
15. David Bowie
14. Paul Weller (The Style Council)
13. George Michael (Wham!)
12. Boy George (Culture Club)
11. Sting (The Police)
10. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
9. Phil Collins (Genesis)
8. Bono (U2)
7. Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
6. Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
5. Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
4. Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats)
3. Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
2. Midge Ure (Ultravox)
1. Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
With thanks to the British & Irish Lions Miscellany
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
The fastest prop in the world
Rupeni Caucaunibuca is one of world rugby’s great enigmas. The ridiculously talented Fijian wing has scored some of the greatest tries of all time but has disappeared from sight in recent years as Agen have slid down the French leagues.
Awesome to watch, but as frustrating as a butter-covered Rubik’s Cube. Here’s a try he scored for Fiji against France during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
There’s the man in full-flight in attack, here’s him denying a certain try to Brian O’Driscoll during Agen’s Heineken Cup meeting with Leinster in 2006. It’s awesome.
I score tries for fun, me
In 1994, Hong Kong thrashed that other rugby superpower, Singapore, 164-13 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier. Hong Kong fullback Ashley Billington had an average day at the office, scoring just the 10 tries.
Fantasy XV
The one-hit wonder is not only a peculiarity of the pop world, there have been a number of players who have ascended to Test level and disappeared before they’ve had time to get comfortable.
There have been tearaways like Wales’ prodigiously talented scrum-half David Bishop and those who have paid for a heavy defeat. Three of our XV played their one Test together, openside Richard Pool-Jones, wing Dominic Chapman and centre Stuart Potter, in England’s 1997 76-0 drubbing by Australia.
15. Mark van Gisbergen (England)
14. Mark Bartholomeusz (Australia)
13. Stuart Potter (England)
12. Ben Atiga (New Zealand)
11. Dominic Chapman (England)
10. Eric Tindill (New Zealand, also a distinguished Test cricketer)
9. David Bishop (Wales)
1. Cameron Blades (Australia)
2. Matt Cairns (England)
3. Darren Crompton (England)
4. Hugh Vyvyan (England)
5. Terry Shaw (Wales)
6. Jason Forster (Wales)
7. Richard Pool-Jones (England)
8. Shaun Sowerby (South Africa)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Dan’s the man
I’ve always thought I was a lot like Dan Carter. Just less talented and good looking. Here’s the All Black talisman curling in a banana kick while on duty with the Crusaders.
And when the wind is less helpful…Leinster fly-half Felipe Contepomi gets a kick blown back through the sticks by the famously aggressive Galway wind while playing against Connacht.
Jack of all trades
Welsh fullback JPR Williams possessed a number of talents aside from being one of the all-time great No.15s. He was in his youth a Junior champion tennis player and played violin in the Welsh National Youth Orchestra. He left both behind to ascend to the very top of the game, winning eight caps with the British & Irish Lions on their victorious tours in New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974. He’s also an orthopaedic surgeon and has better facial hair and initials than you.
A robust tackler and a owner of a famous, if later regretted, punch on Springbok Moaner van Heerden during the 1974 Lions’ ‘99 call’, he was fondly thought of by Gareth Edwards, who once said of his former team-mate after he was involved in a car crash: “Bloody typical, isn't it? The car's a write-off. The tanker's a write-off. But JPR comes out of it all in one piece.”
Fantasy XV
Picture the scene, controller in hand, console ready to go and the greatest rugby XV in digital history at your disposal. Mario and Luigi are devastating in the centre, Ryu is boring but effective at fly-half and Blanka rules at the breakdown, although not always legally, and E Honda is dominant in the scrum. It’s the computer games XV and we need to get out more.
15. Scorpion (Mortal Kombat – try taking him on the outside)
14. Sonic the Hedgehog
13. Mario (Super Mario)
12. Luigi (Super Mario)
11. Link (Zelda)
10. Ryu (Street Fighter)
9. James Bond (Goldeneye)
1. Zangief (Street Fighter)
2. Turok (Turok: Dinosaur Hunter)
3. E Honda (Street Fighter)
4. Master Chief (Halo)
5. Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong)
6. Blanka (Street Fighter)
7. Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
8. Axel (Streets of Rage)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Hit by the Schalk train
They’ll be side by side in the starting line-up for the Barbarians on Saturday and are regular team-mates for the Springboks, but Schalk Burger dispensed with the niceties pretty quickly when his Western Province side met Fourie du Preez’s Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup this season. Maybe du Preez had been bragging about how he was going to outdo Burger during Movember.
Start as you mean to go on
Bradford Bulls Rugby League player Semi Tadulala played his first ever meaningful game of rugby union on Saturday, and it was in a Test match! He featured on the wing for his native Fiji against Romania in Bucharest. The former Wakefield Trinity Wildcat has played in two previous 13-man World Cups for Fiji, in 2000 and 2008.
Are you going to finish that?
Relations between South Africa and New Zealand have been traditionally frosty on the rugby field and they were not helped by Springbok prop Johan le Roux taking a chunk out of Sean Fitzpatrick’s ear during a Test in 1993. The delightful le Roux then quipped, "For an 18-month suspension, I feel I probably should have torn it off. Then at least I could say, 'Look, I've returned to South Africa with the guy's ear.'" Ah, props.
Fantasy XV
French scrum-half Pierre Berbizier once said, “If you can’t take a punch, you should play table tennis.” Out latest Fantasy XV could all take a punch, and were pretty tasty at throwing them too. Federico Mendez might have thought twice about clocking Paul Ackford if Lennox Lewis was in the English back-row…
15. Joe Calzaghe
14. Barry McGuigan
13. Sugar Ray Leonard
12. Marvin Hagler
11. Manny Pacquiao
10. Muhammad Ali
9. Chris Eubank
1. Joe Frazier
2. Henry Cooper
3. George Foreman
4. Vitali Klitschko
5. Wladimir Klitschko
6. Lennox Lewis
7. Rocky Marciano
8. Roy Jones Jnr.
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown. We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two.
Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
That’s it, he’s off the Christmas card list
It was 14 years ago, but we seriously doubt that Mike Catt has forgotten the feeling of being steamrolled by Jonah Lomu in the semi-final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Just in case he has – here it is again, along with the other three tries that the big fella felt like scoring.
Obstacle course
The Samoan rugby union was formed in 1924 after the game was introduced to the island by the Marist brothers four years earlier. Their first Test came later in 1924 against perennial rivals Fiji. The game kicked off at seven in the morning, to allow the Samoan players to get to work after their 6-0 defeat. On their way they had to circumnavigate an inconveniently positioned tree. On the half-way line.
It takes all sorts
"Rugby players are either piano shifters or piano movers. Fortunately, I am one of those who can play a tune." – French scrum-half Pierre Danos
"If I had been a winger, I might have been daydreaming and thinking about how to keep my kit clean for next week." – England lock Bill Beaumont
Fantasy XV
The differences between rugby and football are many and well documented. Still, it would be interesting to see how the magicians of the round-ball game adapted to its brawny brother. Maradona and Pele at halfback, Zidane patrolling at fullback and Jan Molby on the wing. Only joking. Tight-head for you, son.
15: Zinedine Zidane (France)
14: Eusébio (Portugal)
13: George Best (Northern Ireland)
12: Johan Cruyff (Netherlands)
11: Gary Lineker (England)
10: Pele (Brazil)
9: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1: Mickey Quinn
2: Neil Ruddock (England)
3: Jan Molby (Denmark)
4: John Charles (Wales)
5: Peter Crouch (England)
6: Bobby Moore (England)
7: Terry Butcher (England)
8: Ferenc Puskas (Hungary)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNScrum Countdown.
We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two. Check out our latest offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
Happier days for Wales
With the sad sight of a dejected Wales side trudging off the Millennium Stadium pitch after being mauled by the Wallabies still fresh in the mind - Welsh fans might appreciate seeing their heroes smile courtesy of this clip from the SoccerAM archives. Look out for the scene-stealing appearance of the shy and retiring Andy Powell and Gavin Henson with his boots on.
Trivia time - what's in a name?
Match these England legends with their unusual middle names - click on the links for the answers courtesy of our Player Profiles:
England’s attacking woes are nothing new…
The All Blacks were playing England, and after the half-time whistle blew they found themselves ahead 50-0, Jonah Lomu getting eight tries. The rest of the team decided to head for the pub instead of playing the second half, leaving Jonah to go out on his own.
"No worries," Jonah told them, "I'll join you later and tell you what happened." After the game Jonah headed for the pub where he told his team-mates the final score: 95-3. "What?!" said a furious Josh Kronfeld, "How did you let them get three points?" Jonah replied apologetically, "I was sent off with 20 minutes to go"
Fantasy XV:
The Hollywood awards season will soon be upon us but will anyone produce a performance worthy of selection in our latest Fantasy XV? These Best Actor winners provide a tasty combination, not least because of the fun to be had of screaming 'run Forrest run' at Tom Hanks as he latches on to a cross kick from, ahem, Marlon Brando.
15. Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, 1995)
14. Tom Hanks (Forest Gump, 1994)
13. Sean Penn (Mystic River, 2003)
12. Denzel Washington (Training Day, 2001)
11. Paul Newman (The Color of Money, 1986)
10. Marlon Brando (The Godfather, 1972)
9. Yul Brynner (The King & I, 1956)
1. Robert de Niro (Raging Bull, 1980)
2. Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, 2006)
3. Ernest Borgine (Marty, 1955)
4. John Wayne (True Grit, 1969)
5. Peter Finch (Network, 1976)
6. Gene Hackman (The French Connection, 1971)
7. Daniel Day Lewis (There Will Be Blood, 2007)
8. Russell Crowe (Gladiator, 2000)
To help you get in the festive spirit we are delighted to present the ESPNscrum Countdown.
We'll be counting down the days until the North Pole's greatest loose-head prop packs down your chimney with an assortment of jokes, trivia and novelties to hopefully raise a smile or two. Check out our first offering below and be sure to check back tomorrow for your latest dose of festive fun!
What a shocker
London Irish flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamon saw his worst nightmare come true when London Wasps paid a visit to the Madejski Stadium in March 2007 and his unforgiveable error was witnessed by a then record crowd of 22,648. Thankfully for the otherwise reliable Pumas international the Exiles still managed to win the game.
Keeping up with the Joneses
Wales fielded no less than six players called Jones in their clash with South Africa on November 6, 2004. Fly-half Stephen Jones, loose-head Duncan Jones, hooker Steve Jones, tigt-head Adam Jones, flanker Dafydd Jones and No.8 Ryan Jones all lined up against the Springboks but they were unable to prevent a narrow 38-36 defeat.
An oldie but a goodie...
A man had a ticket for the Rugby World Cup Final but was seated in the upper, nosebleed seats. As the match begins, he notices an empty seat down near the pitch on the halfway line. Taking a chance, he makes his way down to the empty seat and asks the man next to it if anyone is sitting there.
"No", says the seated man, "That seat is empty."
"This is incredible," says the other man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the World Cup Final, the biggest sporting event in the world, and not use it?"
The seated man says "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first World Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married in 1987."
"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else - a friend or relative, or even a neighbour to take the seat?".
The seated man shakes his head. "No. They're all at the funeral."
Fantasy XV
Fantasy rugby XVs have long been the source of mild amusement for the web-savvvy rugby fans so we thought we'd do our bit - starting with a TV Detectives XV - be sure to let us know your selection gripes! But who could argue with a side boasting Vic Mackey at hooker and a Starsky & Hutch centre combination?
15. Theo Kojak (Kojak)
14. Jm Nettles (Bergerac)
13. David Starsky (Starsky & Hutch)
12. Kenneth Hutch (Starsky & Hutch)
11. Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files)
10. Frank Drebin (Police Squad)
9. Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks)
1. Hercule Poirot (Poirot)
2. Vic Mackey (The Shield)
3. Columbo (Columbo)
4. Jimmy McNulty (The Wire)
5. Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald (Cracker)
6. Gene Hunt (Ashses to Ashes)
7. Jack Frost (A Touch of Frost)
8. Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI)
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.
RSS feed
