Christmas Social: Festive eats, naps and hidden messages
It is time for Planet Rugby’s Christmas Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the festive period.
We hope you were all able to indulge yourself over past few days and it’s clear from Twitter posts that many in rugby certainly did just that on Christmas Day.
Former England international hooker Brian Moore, like many of us, was starting to get concerned over his calorie intake as copious food and drink flowed on Friday.
Christmas lunch – I reckon I'm near 10,000 calories; any advance on that?,
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) December 25, 2020
Pundit Paul Williams was equally aware of what was being consumed as, yes, it was very much a day when we all ate well above our usual limits. Bring on January.
Today, I've eaten like a tighthead in June.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) December 25, 2020
One man who needs plenty of food to keep him big and strong is Fiji legend Nemani Nadolo, who was sticking to red meat instead of turkey, as this picture illustrates.
That should be enough for 2.. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/7dZxMp9Y6X
— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) December 25, 2020
Ahead of the big day, Harlequins duo James Lang and Joe Marchant gave a message to their fans. However, Quins made sure to post the bloopers. Merry Everyone to you!
😂 When you & your bestie just can't keep a straight face!
🎅 Merry Christmas!
🎄 #COYQ pic.twitter.com/AcJdCVv1j0
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) December 24, 2020
Aside from the food, Christmas is also about gifts and it wouldn’t be December 25 without a Lynx Africa set. BBC ScrumV sums up the mood when receiving yet another.
That feeling when you open your fourth Lynx Africa set of the day… 👀
🎄🎅🙌 Merry Christmas everyone! pic.twitter.com/eP8W9RAdKS
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 25, 2020
It’s always good to see rugby fans get good presents though and Dave Bradshaw is clearly happy with these socks. Make sure to reply to us with your own rugby gifts.
Finally got a pair of socks for Christmas to be happy with 😄🏉📺 @btsportrugby pic.twitter.com/Ax3uSTktkr
— Dave Bradshaw (@davebrad127) December 25, 2020
After the food and presents, it’s then time for a customary nap on the couch and former Wales international Gareth Thomas nailed his this year, crooked glasses and all.
My Xmas day summed up in a picture👍👍🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🍺🍺x pic.twitter.com/o58wsn8eY5
— Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) December 26, 2020
Catching it on camera was just the beginning of the embarrassment in the Wayne Barnes household as the referee was pranked with toys. Hopefully revenge is sweet…
And I thought they were my friends.
Happy Christmas, all! pic.twitter.com/GVteOtCwTy
— Wayne Barnes (@WayneBarnesRef) December 25, 2020
Finally, we finish on belated but poorly hidden gifts. The Bulls posted this on Christmas Day, revealing a major signing was to be announced on Monday morning.
#BullsFamily24 we have the biggest festive gift for you …EVER! So big .. So cool… We still trying to package it 😂 Check out our social platforms on Monday at 10h00 💪 Our BIGGEST signing for the year… literally 😏 pic.twitter.com/ZySFjWoVGt
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) December 25, 2020
It didn’t take long for people to figure out who it might be though and RTE Sport’s Damien O’Meara seems to have cracked it. How to ruin Ulster fans’ Christmas.
Compare and contrast. pic.twitter.com/h2Z1Mtwx8m
— Damien O’Meara (@damien_omeara) December 25, 2020