Martin Gillingham
@MartGillingham
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When not walking the beagles or getting stuck in a bunker @RLGCHoylake you may hear me talking on the telly.
Joined June 2012
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My enduring image of
@EnglandRugby
’s 6N campaign is a callow U20 captain hectoring a female referee in Treviso and then, with the game almost lost, the team’s doctor wading in similarly to challenge her authority. An episode which reinforced the worst caricature of Twickenham.
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How comfortable are you with the final act in Lille? Twice
@FranceRugby
players charged the kicker while a French water carrier lurked in line of sight between Garbisi and the posts. It’s a talking point.
#FRAvITA
@SixNationsRugby
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Mind games: the last thing
@WelshRugbyUnion
players will read as they run out on to Loftus Versfeld:
@Springboks
v Wales live
@SkySportsRugby
from 3.30pm
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Can’t agree with these sentiments:
@RassieRugby
is responsible for having turned
@Springboks
into world champions at the same time as developing a squad truly representative of SA. That’s his legacy and far outweighs this. Rassie’s Boks are arguably rugby’s greatest achievement.
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The omission of Henry Arundell from
@EnglandRugby
’s match day squad for the semi-final - he should be starting at full-back - is baffling. If they are to beat
@Springboks
then they need a player with a streak of genius. Arundell has that. None of the starting XV do.
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The beautiful game ...
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Lord Coe says that instead of going on about poor crowds in Doha TV pundits should “dissect” the winning run in the 800m. Fair enough. Let’s start with this then: the bloke who won the 800m is a product of Alberto Salazar’s Nike Oregon Project. Happy?
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Three cheers to Sireli Bobo ...
@BrendanVenter
Sireli Bobo just launched one of the biggest passes we've ever seen at the Dubai invitational match.
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Steve Cooper should have more than enough credit in the bank to ensure his future
@NFFC
Despite tonight, relegation is unlikely. What the owner should have done is remained in his seat, demonstrated his support, not flounced off like some of the prima donnas on the playing staff.
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If I was a clean athlete and had learnt my coach had been lying to me all along, and that he had been doping my training partners, I’d waste no time in telling the world exactly what I think of him. After all, it’s my reputation he’s damaging too. So why doesn’t
#SirMo
do that?
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And now how that first
@Springboks
try was broadcast by
@SuperSportTV
to its Xhosa viewers. It’s the first language of the captain.
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Did the
@SchalkBrits
retirement interview 10 days ago and wrote the piece for
@SARugbymag
Now the little b*#€$r is not only out of retirement but wearing a
@Springboks
jersey. Even Frank Sinatra had the good grace to hold off on his comebacks for more than a fortnight
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This is among the moments that inspired me to be an athlete. I was aged 9 and living in Germany.
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Only a fool would pretend the key to unlocking
@EnglandRugby
’s full potential is easily found. But the stark reality is that, more than a year into the job, Steve Borthwick appears no closer to locating it. In weighing up today, consider Scotland has just two professional teams.
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Referees have been accused of being the
@AllBlacks
' 16th man when playing at home. Poor John Lacey has just played that role to perfection
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BREAKING NEWS: Johnson departs. Sadly it’s Scott not Boris. Rugby Australia has just announced Scott Johnson is to leave his role as Director of Rugby
@wallabies
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#DohaWorldChampionships
What stands out is
@paulajradcliffe
’s hypocrisy. For years she fought the corner of those who ran with only what nature gave them and condemned cheats. Yet she started 2019 by campaigning to exclude
@caster800m
and ended it an apologist for Alberto Salazar
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South Africa is in economic, political and
#COVID19
meltdown. Yet
@Springboks
, starved of rugby since 2019, won a
@lionsofficial
series. The rugby world needs a strong Boks in the same way it does a good
@AllBlacks
Try to put your loyalties aside, it’s a good result for rugby.
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@EnglandRugby
has hit its lowest point since the 2015 RWC. Twickenham was emptying 5mins from the end, fans voting with their feet.
@Springboks
arrived 9 short of their best 23 and battered their hosts in all departments. This was the most significant result of
@autumnnations
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Rugby’s cause celebre: Owen Farrell has already served a tackle suspension in 2023, reduced by attending so-called “tackle school”. Concussion is rugby’s existential threat. Anything short of the maximum ban will raise doubts about
@WorldRugby
’s determination to protect players.
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Following the collapse of London Irish this fella had to go to the foot of Africa to find a job. This cameo demonstrates he has qualities
@EnglandRugby
might want to take a closer look at.
Ben Loader, that was glorious 🔥
@THESTORMERS
are brought straight back into the game as Loader manages to retain the ball in a 50/50 and go straight for the corner 🌟
#InvestecChampionsCup
#STOvLAR
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Those shedding tears of sympathy for Sam Burgess should save them for
@lutherburrell
+
@CarlFearns
who are most affected by misguided gamble
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Eddie Jones predicts
@EnglandRugby
will have “a competitive edge” in the scrum. Let’s see. Kick-off against
@Springboks
is 10mins away.
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It is being reported a court in Cardiff has disqualified the former owners of
@WorcsWarriors
, Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring, from being directors of a company. They have also been fined.
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The sports minister’s intervention smacks of opportunism. She’s passed judgment in her own kangaroo court, has placed
@SuperSportTV
in an invidious position, and made it difficult for the broadcaster to resolve this in a mature fashion and enable the trio to work together again.
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Big story emerging in South Africa: entire
@Springboks
squad in isolation after players incl. Vincent Koch of
@Saracens
test positive for Covid. Leading SA Sunday paper reports pandemic is surging amid new variant. Country has no meaningful vaccination programme
@lionsofficial
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SA Rugby expected to announce in the coming days the
@Springboks
are withdrawing from the
#RugbyChampionship
Their first Test is supposed to be against Argentina on Nov 7. Rassie Erasmus will cite “player welfare” as the reason.
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I hold no brief for the machinations that condemned
@Saracens
to relegation. But today I witnessed a smart and thoroughly professional performance by a largely second string XV. Mark McCall too impresses. Frank, honest, cerebral. If it’s possible his stock has risen in crisis.
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In its own way there must be fewer greater compliments paid to
@George_Fordy
than the fact
@LeicesterTigers
have gone almost certainly bigger than they’ve ever gone before to fill the hole his departure shall leave by luring World Cup winner
@Handre10
to Welford Road.
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SA Rugby boss Jurie Roux stuns journalists claiming economics have driven the ticketing policy for the
@Springboks
v
@lionsofficial
Tests in 2021. "We've given 80% of the tickets to the Lions," he says. An uncomfortable pause follows. Roux smirks then says: "I'm only joking man"
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Former
@LeicesterTigers
and
@Saracens
fly-Heald Derick Hougaard appears to be on the road to recovery. It has been reported he is no longer in a coma.
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Enjoying seeing
@SaintsRugby
realising the promise they have shown for so long. Chris Boyd is one the game’s great coaches and his dabs are all over this.
THIS TEAM 🥵
It's nine wins in a row and four-from-four in the Investec
@ChampionsCup
.
🔴 23 - 26 😇
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@AndyGoode10
Goodey, it can be argued Malia’s actions (jumping with back turned to Williams) were reckless (and, therefore, yellow card for foul play). That the ball ricocheted off the Puma is immaterial because that happened in the act of foul play. Head contact upgrades offence to red.
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@LeicesterTigers
’ season has just stepped up to another level.
@UBBrugby
have been the best in France so far. That is one of the best ever wins by a
@premrugby
side in the
@ChampionsCup
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Given Sir Mo is clean and has nothing to fear why doesn’t he intervene and insist
@ukantidoping
hand over his samples for re-testing? Would work wonders for his reputation.
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Steve Diamond’s vision has, for a long time, been to be the vehicle for attracting finance to a club and then running it. “Dimes” and
@WorcsWarriors
are a perfect fit making this the best possible news for a club which now has so many of the crucial building blocks in place.
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The performance of Jack Willis for
@WaspsRugby
in their win at
@LiRFC
yesterday was Test quality. He was dominant at the breakdown. Dan Robson also gave Eddie another nudge ...assuming he’s listening
@EnglandRugby
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It’s been announced Johan Deysel will face a disciplinary hearing following his red card and illegal challenge on
@FranceRugby
captain Antoine Dupont. He’ll get a fair trial before being marched to the Place de la Revolution and the guillotine.
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I hope fallout from Twickenham doesn’t consign the “bunker” to
@WorldRugby
’s dustbin. It worked precisely as it should in the Owen Farrell case. Referee, TMO and FPRO acted according to the textbook. It is only once it was passed on to the disciplinary panel that it unravelled.
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Here’s that Mike Procter hat-trick when his victims included his old Durban mate Barry Richards …
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In
@Saracens
’ history the last 40mins must be right up there in the pantheon. Theirs is a story someone might one day write a book about. From infamy and disgrace, the breaking up of a champion squad and suspension of their talisman.
@leinsterrugby
were nowhere in that half. 3-22
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In his past life Alan Solomons was a partner at Sonnenberg, Hoffmann and Galombik, a highly respected Cape Town law firm. Asking Solly to analyse a legal matter is a bit like chucking Ben Stokes a long hop.
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Perhaps the most dire consequence of a failing
@EnglandRugby
team is the impact on the tier beneath it. Three
@premrugby
clubs went bust last season and soon the league will be looking for a new TV deal to keep afloat the 10 clubs still standing.
@France2023
matters.
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SA sports minister
@TokozileXasa
has announced the
@MYANC
government shall approach the UN and urge them to sanction
#IAAF
for breaching
@caster800m
’s human rights. She also confirmed Semenya is to appeal the CAS judgment.
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@WalkerWorcester
on owners’ behaviour towards Duckworth family: “I cannot express in parliamentary terms my personal revulsion at the way in which those charged with protecting Cecil Duckworth’s legacy have behaved and, seemingly, continue to behave”.
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Shocking news from the United States:
@Springboks
’ Pedrie Wannenburg has been killed in a car accident. Played in Europe for
@UlsterRugby
@CastresRugby
and
@OyonnaxRugby
Fierce on the field but a gentle and decent man off it.
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Good day out at The Stoop:
@Harlequins
excellent value for their win but how
@WorcsWarriors
have been transformed. They deserved at least the two points they went home with. And the ref Sara Cox was unflappable.
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In Europe a Saffa wins MoM as Saffa-funded club beats a side coached by Saffas whose only try was scored by a Saffa. Is SA rugby in decline?
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Darkest day in English club rugby:
@WaspsRugby
going into administration while the RFU’s patience with
@WorcsWarriors
has run out. Wasps face threat of automatic relegation while Worcester’s owners are told the club will be suspended unless they find the cash or sell up by Monday
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The only element of the
@JoeMarler
judgment which moves me to comment is how it demands he deliver a presentation to a school. Shouldn’t the RFU ask its players to voluntarily give their time to preach rugby’s core values rather than serving it up as a way of punishing them?
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First time here
@staderochelais
A superbly run club; coffee machines in the boxes, carpeted restaurant behind me; investors/sponsors coming out of their ears. And they’re top of the
#Top14
. Stadium named after Resistance fighter and ex club president executed by occupying force
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Just watched
@WorcsWarriors
get squeezed out by
@BristolBears
What a cracking 80mins. Bristol, depleted but playing with their usual carefree ambition; Worcester desperately unlucky to lose. It’s what happens when you’re near the bottom. A wonderful advert for
@premrugby
#quality
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Graduation Day for daughter Kirsty. First Class Degree (Hons) Psychology
@TrentUni
What a journey it’s been. A triumph for dogged determination. And it wasn’t achieved alone. Thanks to, among others, the staff at
@TrentCollege
for working so well with her.
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Here is Cobus Reinach’s late father in action. He played for the
@Springboks
as well as holding an SA national record on the track. It’s all in the genes.
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Ben Loader ...jot the name into your little black book. He’s 21, rapid, and a very clever player. The
@LiRFC
wing has a future with
@EnglandRugby
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Diehard
@EnglandRugby
fans were leaving before the end. Yet on days like these it’s perhaps best to just park off partisan loyalties, stay seated, and enjoy a team producing something close to rugby perfection …
📺 Enjoy every single try from Twickenham 🍿
Full highlights ⬇️
#ENGvFRA
|
#GuinnessSixNations
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My understanding of the main significance of an administration process in respect of the rescue of
@WorcsWarriors
is that it would allow the administrator to challenge and, as a result, overturn the current owners’ “sale” of assets (to themselves) out of the distressed company.
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David Duckham has died: for those too young to recall the great man, watch this. You can laugh at the haka but you’ll be in awe of the rugby…
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French domestic rugby is not the major problem. Racing 92, ASM, Toulouse, La Rochelle all capable of high tempo game and beating the best.
@FFRugby
problem is coaching. Brunel unsuccessful since
@usap_officiel
a decade ago. His assistants have virtually zero coaching experience.
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@SaraCoxRef
was barely noticed on her
@premrugby
debut at The Stoop. I’d like to think that’s the best compliment you can give a referee. Clear with her calls, unflustered, authoritative and got nothing important wrong
#HARvWOR
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We saw today that France’s rugby problems are not about either the raw materials or the way some
#Top14
clubs play the game.
@staderochelais
@StadeToulousain
and
@ASMOfficiel
were magnificent. Me thinks it’s all to do with the
@FFRugby
coach and the structures around him.
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A famous night in Treviso:
@Federugby
have beaten
@EnglandRugby
6-0 in the U20 Six Nations. Form book turned on its head, European age-group rugby spun off its axis. It’s why Italy deserves its place at the top table.
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Just spoken to
@CJStander
for
@SARugbymag
A huge talent allowed to slip net. Tale of a young man who packed his bags and followed his dream
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In his first statement as
@wallabies
coach Eddie Jones has confidently predicted Australia can end their 24-year drought and win the World Cup. Just eight weeks ago he said
@EnglandRugby
were on course to win in France. It’s a funny old game.
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My bugbear with rugby officiating is how the balance of power between attack and defence shifts when one side can cynically and repeatedly infringe without meaningful punishment while the other only has to “cough up” possession once to lose its advantage. Saw it tonight
#WALvFIJ
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Among the long-lost items that have revealed themselves while clearing out my late mother’s home. She told friends she’d kept it hidden in fear that I’d give it away. Now a family heirloom
#RIPAverilGillingham
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End of an era for
@LeicesterTigers
and Geordan Murphy as he leaves the club. Twenty-three years as player, coach and, until today, DoR. A terrific rugby man who was perhaps in the best job but at the worst possible time.
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Handre is in the building:
@Springboks
World Cup winner Handre Pollard has taken his spot in the old Crumbie Stand ahead of
@LeicesterTigers
v
@FalconsRugby
Tigers playing at home as
@premrugby
champions for the first time in nine years.
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Wirral’s finest: from New Brighton to the
@premrugby
pantheon in 100 league games. Ton up for referee Ian “Tempo” Tempest as he takes charge of
@WorcsWarriors
v
@SaintsRugby
at 3pm.
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@SBarnesRugby
tells it as it is: “Time for Lions to politely close the door on negative Warren Gatland“
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This should be a red card.
TMO Willie Vos suggested a red card 🟥
Referee AJ Jacobs decided on a yellow card 🟨
What are your thoughts on Johan du Toit taking Louis Schreuder out in the air?
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The
@Springboks
boss not messing about is he? Straight in there on his own social media account returning on the volley
@lionsofficial
mortar fire.
@ExaminerSport
If there is time maybe also get absolute clarity and alignment on this one please, I know its way after the whistle, but lets just align and get clarity to be sure
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I have heard two English-speaking officials today in charge of
@ChampionsCup
matches hosted by French clubs and neither referee has made an attempt to speak French. Recurring theme. Importance of communication means French clubs’ home advantage is partially negated
@btsportrugby
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I must confess I find Steve Diamond’s departure from
@SaleSharksRugby
very sad. He created a squad in his own image. And this was never better reflected than in the win against
@londonirish
less than 48 hours ago. I suspect he’ll be back somewhere soon.
It was only back in September that Steve Diamond helped Sale Sharks to their first silverware since 2006.
Today, Diamond leaves the the AJ Bell after 10 years at the club.
He made 290 appearances for Sale as a player.
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Henry Arundell replaced by
@EnglandRugby
after 65 minutes. Unlikely a fatigue issue. He now remains in Paris where I suspect
@racing92
shall endeavour to make more of his talents
#ARGvENG
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Read this if you've got a few moments to spare.
@Rachael_Hodges
' story gives pause for thought …
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@davidflatman
@thepaulwilliams
The answer is “yes” and like most unintended consequences of a Law change will undermine the benefits of having introduced it. Another small step in the Rugby Leagueification of Union. Game must embrace the Frans Malherbes, not threaten them with redundancy.
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News coming from Cape Town that Rassie Erasmus has agreed a contract keeping him with the
@springboks
until after the next World Cup.
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Those of you who wondered what sparked the bagarre generale at the end of the
#FRAvARG
match might be interested to know that Argentina wing Matias Moroni has received a citing commissioner warning for “an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.27”. He pulled a Frenchman’s hair.
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Major news from Worcester where the consortium led by
@JimOToole
has been given “exclusive preferred buyer” status by the administrators of
@WorcsWarriors
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Post-match interviewing is the toughest gig in the business.
@Sonjamclaughlan
asked the Q we all wanted answering and, when it wasn’t answered, she pushed for an answer. That is her job. And that is what she did. Tenaciously and well. It really is as simple as that.
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Dead leg that almost cost flanker his life:
@johnwesterby
reports on the freak consequences of a common injury. Wishing Marco Mama well on his return for
@WorcsWarriors
4
8
46
Consigned to history: a pilgrimage to Newlands is rugby’s equivalent to putting flowers on your mother’s grave. The turf has given way to weeds, the electricity has been cut off; memories of many of rugby’s finest moments shall fade even if its ghosts live to tell their tales.
3
5
46
Notes from Worcester
@premrugby
: Ted Hill will surely play a role in
@EnglandRugby
’s run through to 2023. The
@WorcsWarriors
6 scored a cracking try v
@LeicesterTigers
today, carried powerfully, and halted some big fellas. My man-of-the-match.
2
6
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Plenty moaning about
@mouradrct
’s treatment of Julian Savea at
@RCTofficiel
and how he’s being singled out. I suspect Savea is the only one whose spouse has been criticising teammates and moaning about the view from the infinity pool at the rent-free pad high on the hill.
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Dr Roger Bannister was not the best miler there’s ever been, but then Edmund Hillary probably wasn’t the greatest mountaineer. They were both pioneers whose roles in Man’s evolution mean their achievements will outlive those of almost all others’.
#RogerBannister
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Tonight’s
@Springboks
’ win? Another example of why
@RassieRugby
is the sharpest mind in the World Cup coaches’ box. He may be as mad as a bag of spiders but those with genius frequently teeter on the brink of darkness. 7-1 one week, 5-3 next. Whatever it takes boer maak ‘n plan.
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Opeti Fonua wore
@FalconsRugby
10 jersey for A-League game this week. Reason? 8 wouldn't fit. 10 jersey used to be
@AndyGoode10
's
#truestory
0
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It is reported
@RCTofficiel
president Bernard Lemaitre has confirmed the deal to take
@Cheslin_Kolbe11
to the Stade Mayol has been done. Speculation is it involves a 1.8million euros payment to
@StadeToulousain
and a seven-figure annual salary for the
@Springboks
wing
3
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44
Absence of
@MorganParraOff
from
@FFRugby
squad for November Tests should be a sackable offence. Best 9 and place-kicker in Europe at moment
4
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@nick_abendanon
has revealed he is expecting to retire at the end of the season. His contract is up
@ASMOfficiel
and he has yet to get a deal with another club. Anyone looking for a world-class full-back
@premrugby
@top14rugby
@PRO14Official
@SuperRugby
?
10
5
42
South Africa 🇿🇦 in 2023 now seems likely. Congratulations to
@Springboks
and all involved.
@WorldRugby
playing part in nation building too
0
6
39
After 10 days of calling athletics for
@Eurosport_UK
I’m off home and expecting an enthusiastic welcome from my two best mates when I get there
#beaglefacts
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Recently-retired
@SchalkBrits
playing Test rugby is a remarkable story. But is it a case of “for one night only” or, as Rassie Erasmus suggests, can he keep going until he’s at least 38? Either way, Schalk is back home at Newlands where he made his Test debut 10yrs and 2 days ago
0
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A central figure in the development of
@WorcsWarriors
into a top-flight professional club.
😢 We are deeply saddened to learn that our President Cecil Duckworth CBE passed away today aged 83.
👉
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@Oldsuliansrfc
@RassieRugby
@Springboks
I think that’s evident from the media reaction. But the furore over this is trivial when compared with the huge contribution Rassie’s
@Springboks
have made to a troubled land. Perspective is being lost. A Boks pack with 4 players of colour would have been unthinkable a decade ago
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