Rugby Sloth

05/10/2022

More English players than Sprimgboks in a BEAST XV? 👀

Check out who makes our XV of the most SAVAGELY BEAST players in World Rugby. Some absolutely huge names (literally).

03/10/2022

Never forget what a freakish boot Francois Steyn has 😆 😄 🤣

THIS WAS ONE AMAZING GOAL!

26/07/2022

This one could be controversial 👀

My Lions XV after the Summer Internationals 🦁

What would be the best British and Irish Lions team after the Summer Internationals? Would these players make your team?

21/07/2022

RUGBY'S FASTEST GROWING STAR?! 🇨🇱 🏉

Meet Rodrigo Fernández. The fly-half was arguably Chile's best player in their huge upset against USA, meaning they qualify for their first ever Rugby World Cup.

The rapid magician beat SEVEN DEFENDERS in a wonder-try in the first leg, a contender for try of the season. In the second leg, he beautifully assisted a try as Chile came from 19-0 down to win 31-29.

Watch out in 2023, Fernández is one to watch. 🔥 🔥 🔥

21/07/2022

My thoughts on England's recent tour of Australia....

We assess England Rugby's tour of Australia, their Rugby World Cup chances, and what improvements must be made.

15/07/2022

Certainly an interesting perspective..

Sport means many things for many people and if I had lost my sport to the prejudices of other, small-minded individuals, I wouldn’t be here now.

30/06/2022

THE BEST CHANT IN RUGBY?! 📣 🏉

If you've ever watched Toulon play at the Stade Mayol fortress, there's a special tradition you may have noticed. A ringmaster passionately screams a war cry, (known as the 'Pilou-Pilou') which is echoed by the faithful in the stands. You may recall it being sung by the tatooed-face of Cedric Abellon, during Toulon's Heineken Cup glory days with Jonny Wilkinson. Today, it's led by Christophe Charaut, who won a public vote for the honor in 2019.

The Pilou-Pilou started at the club after being sung by local writer, Marcel Bodrero, in the 1940s. Below are the lyrics translated in English...

Ah! We, the terrible Pilou-Pilou warriors
Pilou-Pilou!
Who come from the mountains and go out to sea
Pilou-Pilou!
With our savage wives breastfeeding our children
In the shadow of massive white coconut trees
Pilou-Pilou !
We, the terrible warriors cry out loud our terrible war song
AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH !
I said: "OUR TERRIBLE WAR SONG"
AAAARRRGGGGHHHHH !
Because TOULON
RED!
Because TOULON
BLACK!
Because TOULON
RED AND BLACK!

Its surely a reason to put the Stade Mayol on your rugby bucket list.

23/06/2022

Retiring at 24: An interview with Theo Brophy-Clews

I recently interviewed the former England U20 international with over 60 caps for London Irish about concussions, life after rugby, and adjusting to change.

Link down below:

https://lastwordonsports.com/rugby/2022/06/22/former-london-irish-back-brophy-clews/

Former London Irish fly-half Theo Brophy-Clews talks to us about concussions, life after rugby, and adjusting to change.

21/06/2022

HO**ER APPRECIATION POST 2️⃣💕

Ho**er was my first position as a youngster (until I got too lanky, and got bent up like a pretzel). So thought I'd share my love for some the greats in the position.

Steve Thompson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Can't really start anywhere else. The World Cup winner who provided classic moments, including his 'kiss of death' 💋 against Argentina at the 2011 RWC. Wish him and his family all the best with his current health problems, after being a real inspiration in my childhood.

Trevor Leota 🇼🇸
This guy was an absolute beast for Wasps in their glory days. His beast hits sat people down for days.

Keith Wood 🇮🇪
Arguably, the most ahead of his time in the no2 shirt. In an era where hookers weren't expected to be ball-players around the park, Wood regularly exhibited the slickest of skills. I even recall a brilliant clearance kick for the Lions against Australia in 01.

Schalk Brits 🇿🇦
The former Saracens star could arguably have worn any number on the back of his shirt. He may not have had the brute force of other Springbok hookers, but it was like having another centre on the field at times.

S***a Horie 🇯🇵
Not only was Horie great around the park, but he was a vital reason for Japan's scrum getting taken seriously. Became one of the first Japanese players in Super Rugby when he joined the Rebels in 2013.

17/06/2022

RUGBY GROUND REVIEW 🏟 - LONDON SKOLARS
Vs Oldham, 27th May 2022

One date in your ground-hopping calendar ought to be the London Skolars Friday Night game. It's always the night before the Challenge Cup final, and the club make a special effort to make it an enjoyable warm-up. Below is more detail on our 2022 experience:

Value 💰- 7.5/10

For £35, you got entry to the Skolars game AND both cup finals at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium the next day. Three games for this price is already brilliant, but to include cup finals at a world class stadium is even better.

As for the Skolars ground, most the beers come from cans, and are just under a 5ver. However, we did find a decent deal of a bottle of Prosecco for £20. I came straight from work in my office attire, so I may have looked fairly pretentious sipping my prosecco, but a decent deal nonetheless.

Rugby and Atmosphere 🏉- 7/10

The Skolars are usually one of the weaker teams in the league, but we felt like their good luck charm! Last year they came away with a draw, but the omens didn't look positive this year, with the side losing all 7 fixtures so far this season. Yet they pulled off an impressive performance, with their athletic runners thrashing Oldham 38-16. So Skolars are undefeated from the two games we've attended, perhaps they'll make Super League if we go every game...

As for the atmosphere, this event seems to draw a decent crowd for the London side. London's Rugby League community is a really tight group. Being quite a niche sport in the capital, you often see familiar faces at different League events. The club always make an effort to distinguish the fixture from the others. This year, they had the Rugby League World Cups paraded in the car park for photos! It just how League do make really cool moments accessible for everyone. The semi-final at the Emirates for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup had tickets from £30, for example.

Stadium/Location 🏟 - 5/10

When I reviewed this ground last year, one fan slated the fact that pigeon excrement was littered on various seats in the stands. They'll be pleased to know- it's all gone! And in a much cleaner state.

Theres one stand that tends to focus all the fans into one place, which is a smart way to generate the best atmosphere. Sadly, there is a running track surrounding the pitch, so fans aren't right next to the action. One really cool touch is the Skolars mural chalked onto the bricks of the bar.

Location isn't amazing, with the nearest station being Wood Green, a 15 minute walk.

Overall 7/10

Can't speak for the average Skolars game, but the Friday Night Lights game is worthwhile.