Rugby's Best Characters

Rugby fans up and down the world lately have been hanging on Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins every word and it got me thinking about the best characters in rugby, both past and present.

In the last couple of years there is a couple of moments that have stayed in my mind. Obviously, the latest its The Honey Badgers post-match interviews where he uses phrases such as "Sweating like a gypsy with a mortgage" and "busier than that one-armed bricky in Baghdad".

When the Lions usually go on tour a few funny moments occur. There was the mock court in the 1997 tour where Kieth Wood dished out punishments to the offending players. Last year was no different. One of my favorites was the picture that emerged of Stuart Hogg donning a tiny pair od speedos holding a beer the morning after the Lions were victorious. There was also the clip on the 'Lions Roar' DVD of Zebo getting stitched up.

As a Welshman I've also got to throw this one in... Andy Powell driving a golf cart down the M4 the morning after a Wales game to get some breakfast.

Nick Cummin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrcoFn3s7KM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dd2XXxNDr4

Lions Funnies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AadIGJMkEFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhITV9bkZ00

http://db2.stb.s-msn.com/i/54/14EEF79E78870282AB7298B3A87C_h416_w622_m2_q80_cqhvuRCxN.jpg

My Time Playing University Rugby.

I'm in the last couple of months of my three years at university and I put on my University rugby jersey for the final time last Friday. It was in front of a crowd of around 1000 people as it was the derby between the two city's university. For me the occasion was met with mixed emotions; on one hand I was quite relieved because I'd finally be able to get some work done with deadlines becoming ever-present. Ultimately though it was quite sad knowing this will be the last time I play with all these lads, maybe even the last time I'd see some of them.

In my first year I didn't play rugby- and that is my single biggest regret of my Uni experience. Not only did I not play rugby, I didn't do anything at all (apart from watch Breaking Bad and The Wire). I was a lazy waste-of-space in all honesty. Rugby and the gym was a huge part of my life before uni and to go from that to nothing, in hind-sight, was totally stupid.

The day I decided that next year was going to be different was when I went to watch the Uni 1st XV play in the Varsity match against the city's other (better) university. I was swept away in the crowd chanting and all the fun of it. As I watched I couldn't help but think that the standard was not beyond me, which I like to think wasn't big-headed of me as prior to uni I had played for various county teams and North Wales.

So in my second year I started going to training and playing for the 3rd team, which was kind of annoying but I didn't mind as I just really wanted to get back into it and get to know the people involved in the rugby club. I played in that years 3rd team Varsity match, scored a try (I was outside-centre) and we were the only team to win our Varsity fixture that year. Probably one of the best days of my 3 years in university.

Over the summer I took pre-season seriously and prepared correctly- my goal was to be starting in 9 months time in the same fixture I watched back in first year: the 1st XV Varsity. I was expecting to play for the 2s until around Christmas then hopefully get brought up into the 1s with 3 months to go until the Varsity.

To my surprise though I completely by-passed the 2s and went straight to the bench for the 1s after some good performances in training. I stayed on the bench for the first 2 matches and have since been on the wing for the start of every game. As I said last Friday saw the end of my time there and I started and played for 60mins in the 1st XV Varsity so I finally achieved my goal.

All that is great but it is sort of inferior to the whole experience of being involved in a university rugby club. Some will turn out to be your best friends in uni and quite possibly in life after your 3/4 years are up. Rugby at uni, for me at least, was like a bi-product to meeting a great bunch of people and having a massive laugh a few times a week.

If you are in university and not playing rugby anymore my advice would be to just go for it. I've done uni without rugby and with rugby and honestly, there is no comparison. Equally, if your son is uni and not playing rugby get onto him and try and get him to change his mind, my Dad and its part of the reason of why I joined in my second year.

Is Sky still going to show the IPA Greene King Championeship next season?

Is Sky still going to show the IPA Greene King Championeship next season?

I was just as disappointed and angry as the rest of us when I found out Sky Sports had lost the rights to BT Sport to show the Aviva Premiership. I was even questioning whether I would actually need my Sky Sports subscription anymore.

I didn't cancel it though because, being Welsh, I thought I would wait and see what their RaboDirect Pro 12 coverage will be like next season, even though I find the competition pretty unexciting. But as it turns out I am very happy that I did give Sky that last chance because I discovered something new- the English Championship.

Now I must confess, I am biased because I am affiliated somewhat with the mighty Rotherham Titans- Lee Blackett (their headcoach) is also the coach at my uni rugby team as are a few of the Titan's players. They have been for the last 2 years  but I never really took an interest in the Championship until Sky's coverage. This season I have loved it though, and heres why...

Watching the Championship on TV is quite refreshing. Sure, all the players are full-time professionals but I think the rugby is, in some ways, more relatable for the fans. The teams don't seem as worried to make mistakes so there is much more of a "have-a-go" attitude than in the higher tiers of pro rugby. It is not uncommon for teams to try a move in their own 22 in the hope of getting an 80 metre try. The players have a go at little pieces of individual brilliance without the fear of being ridiculed like those playing on the International, Premiership or Pro12  players might do if it didn't come off. As Dewi repeatedly said in yesterdays Sky game, Bedford v Rotherham; "They're not going to get told off for playing rugby".

Also, it looks to me like the Sky pundits genuinely enjoy being there. The coverage comes across as a bit more spontaneous, and as a result, more fun. For example the post-match discussion is often carried out in the clubhouse whilst the fans, sometimes players too, are in the background having a pint. The rapport between everyone seems slightly less informal with Dewi doing light-hearted in-game interviews with coahing staff, throwing in the odd joke like yesterdays pork-pie gag.

The actual storyline to this years comp is pretty good too. On one hand theres the like of Bristol with piles of cash sitting at the top, signing new players such as Dwayne Peel. Then there's Rotherham who are kind of like the little engine that could, proving that moneys not everything as long as you've got a good bunch of lads who aren't afraid to have a go and play rugby. They're currently in 3rd place and it's very likely they are going to be in the play-offs for the Premiership. The top 4 are also hardly seperated in terms of points either so it's pretty exciting stuff in that regard.

I've looked online but can't seem to find anything relating to whether the Championship will still be shown next season, but I really hope Sky do continue to show it alongside their 30 Pro12 matches.

Twitter: @ScrummyRugby.

Six Nations 2014 Peeves.

This years tournament was a good, no doubt about it. However, there were just a couple of things that were starting to grate on me towards the end...

Punditry
On the whole the Beeb's team of seasoned professionals did rather well but...
Clive Woodward, you took a team to the World Cup and were victorious. Many have tried but only few succeed, we get that- well done. But for christ sake man it was back in 2003! Stop reverting every single half-time and post-match analysis back to it!

Jiffy is a legend. That accolade gets thrown around a lot these days but he actually is. He doesn't mince his words and injects a little bit of spice and variety to proceedings. This being said, when commentating he screams "IT'S ON HERE!!" Just chill your bean a bit Jiffy. Just because the ball is in hand it doesnt mean "It's on".

Kieth Wood, just because he's far too unashamedly Irish in his views.

Murrayfield
There is just too much pre-match build up there now. It was good but now it is starting to be a little bit like a shitty Superbowl with nowhere near enough bikini-clad pop sensations with big boobs. Also the guy who screams "3,2,1 C'MOONNNNNN SCOTLAND" right before the fligh half kicks-off proceedings really grinds my gears and I'm not entirly sure why.

Bastareaud Bashing
It seemed to be pretty fashionable amongst the people on television to lay into the huge French Centre this year and I'm not really sure why. Granted he is not the most skillful player on the pitch but he does what he does well. And do you know what Kieth Wood he is a world class centre because he plays for a bloody international team... I'd rather him in my team than Billy Twelvetrees.

Jack Nowell's Hair
Well, pretty self-explanatory really: shockingly awful hair. I personally like to think he only wears the head-guard to protect the highlights

What do you think then? Am I wrong? Am I right? Got anymore to add?

Drop a comment or hit us up on twitter: @ScrummyRugby

Six Nations Super Saturday Predictions

Well it is nearly here! The climax to this year rollercoaster of Six Nations. From a rugby fan's point-of-view its been a great tournament, from a Welsh point-of-view... Not so much. But oh well. Ireland are favourites and right so, but England do still have a chance, albeit a very slim one.

Italy v England - 1230 GMT Kick Off.
Have a feeling this is going to be a fairly straight forward one. England are going to win. It is just a matter of how much- and that's is actuall quite an important question for a change. They are going to need to put around 50 points on Italy to be in contention of nabbing it from the Irish. Scoring that many in any international order is always going to be a tall order but if there is a team to do it against in the Six Nations it is Italy, isn't it? Englands only other hope is if France beat Ireland, and I'm not sure if that is beyond the realms of possibilty.

Final Score: Ita 13 - 33 Eng

Wales v Scotland - 1445 Kick Off.
At last some change within the Welsh team! A completely new front row apart from good ol' Gethin. Except he's not been that good recently, in fact he has been pretty anonymous. When Paul James came on last week in the second half he had a great game, both around the pitch and in the scrum. I actually think Gethin is luckily that it is not a complete overhaul of the front row. Another change in the Welsh team has been very much welcomed by the Welsh fans. Biggar in for Priestland- at last! I am a fan of Priestland but there is no hiding away from it this year- he has not been good enough. When Biggar came on last week, like James, he changed things for the better. Finally Liam Williams is in for the injured Leigh Halfpenny. Got to be sore for James Hooke that one. Everyone in Wales is wondering... What has Hooke done to piss Gatland off so much?!
As for Scotland its been a bit of a topsy turby tournamnet (knid of like Wales') but they've shown some promise and the backs looked a little more inventive last week.
This is going to go two ways- a great game of rugby, or a terribly boring one. If it's the latter Wales may not be able to pull through so easily without Halfpenny

Final Score: Wal 21 - 14 Sco

France v Ireland - 1700 Kick Off
May really be a case of saving the best 'til last here. Realistically all Ireland has to do is win (Sorry English people). That being said, Ireland have only won once in Paris in the last 41 years... Shocking, isn't it. I reckon the French are not gonna go down without a fight here and they will have the Irish people worried for the whole game. All eyes are basically going to be on O'Driscoll (like they have been for the whole bloody tournament!) and I suppose it is deserved but I have a feeling it is gonna get a little bit boring if you are watching and not from across the Irish Sea. A uncomfortable game for Ireland but an eventual win, and what the hell, O'Driscoll will score a try somewhere in the 80 minutes.

Final Score: Fra 19 - 27 Ire

Six Nations Preview and Predictions

This weekend sees the return of the RBS Six Nations, and needless to say after the result between England v Ireland a couple of weeks ago, this one's a biggie!

Lets take this in chronological order, shall we?

Ireland v Italy (14:30 Sat 8th Mar)
Well, not too much to say about this one really, is there? Ireland are obvious favourites and with home advantage they ill be looking to bounce back from the close defeat against England two weeks ago in style. Italy will be looking for redemption of sorts after narrowly losing to Scotland by a single point in their last game. I think Italy's main job will be to put in a good, solid performance with plenty of good play- they've got nothing to lose after all.

Prediction: Ireland 33 - 9 Italy

Scotland v France (17:00 Sat 8th Mar)
I feel this game has got potential to be a gooden, provided Scotland take it to them. Scotland thus far have been guilty of taking a back seat and not playing with much attacking intent with poor kicks and the like. France have had a decent tournament so far and are still very much in contention for the title provided they turn up on the 15th against Ireland (excuse the awful cliche) for their final fixture. They'll want to prove that their last defeat to Wales was just a mere blip in their campaign. I've got France to win this one in (hopefully) what will be a close fast-paced game.

Prediction: Scotland 17 - 24 France

England v Wales (15:00 Sun 9th Mar)
This is potentially going to be the game of the weekend. England will be feeling confident after a close and well fought victory over an in-form Ireland in their last game. England will also be seeking to rectify their pretty embarassing loss to Wales in last years competition which cost them the tournament. Wales had a good and solid won over France two weeks ago and they will be hoping to build upon that and remain in winning form. As a welshman I can say that the awful, awful, AWFUL performance against Ireland is still in our heads and a win on Sunday will put any doubts to bed I should think. This is going to be a close match which will go one of to ways:
1)A close scoreline with some great and exciting rugby being played.
2)A close scoreline in what was a very boring slog of a game.
This being said I think (and hope) it will be the latter.

Prediction: England 17 - 21 Wales

Wales v England... The Rivalry(?)

This Six Nations was blown wide open with last Saturdays result in the England v Ireland game and for me, a proud Welshman I can not wait for the next game, not because the Championship is heating up but simply because we play England!

I grew up playing and have lived most of my life in a small Welsh town in North Wales and so from a young age I have been brainwashed to detest the English side with every fibre of my being. It's nothing personal, in fact I really like the English and have lived in Yorkshire for a few years, living amongst English people. When rugby is involved though, and its the same for every Welsh person I've met we can not stand England.

This got me wondering whether it is just Wales that feel this way and if the strong feelings held by us Welsh are reciprocated by the English rugby fans across the border.

I was brought up in a coastal town at the very north of Wales called Llandudno. It is only an or so away from the likes of Chester and Liverpool with Manchester not being much further. As a result, there is a strong English presence in my town, I've lived there all my life apart from the last couple of years and don't have the slightest hint of an accent, although I can speak Welsh (to some extent). I thought this was the reason why the rivalry is so fierce back at home. A sort of battle for bragging rights in the rugby club and local pubs but it seems it's more than that. Up and down the country Welsh men and woman hold these feelings, so it must be more. I think it stems from Wales being seen as something of the bigger, older brother to Wales. So when our teams meet in Twickenham or the Millenium Stadium the small population of Wales are (fittingly) David and the larger country, England are Goliath.

In recent years the Welsh have proved themselves but this might just be the year they tumble and choke about being the first team to win three consecutive Six Nations titles. Both teams have had a mixed start to this years tournament which makes the next fixture all the more exciting.

What are your predictions? and if you're English is Wales such a fierce rivalry for you?
Let us know at Twitter: @ScrummyRugby