Sunday Social: Vibes, foolish acts and comedy
It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.
We begin with the West Country derby and the relationship between Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann and director of rugby David Humphreys. No doubt they were all smiles after their 29-15 win at Kingsholm.
Ackermann and Humphreys in the box always have the look and vibe of a couple at a parents evening who've just had a seething row in the car.
— Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast (@bloodandmud) January 4, 2020
Also making the pair smile would have been the performance of Jake Polledri, who once again showed his immense power and pace.
What a break by Jake Polledri 🙌
Only an incredible try-saving tackle denied him, but @gloucesterrugby make it count through Gerbrandt Grobler 💪 pic.twitter.com/shhTmruupN
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 4, 2020
In stark contrast, Bath’s defence at times looked in disarray and this Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast’s tweet summed it up perfectly.
Bath defence…
"Set! And up! Lads for fuck's sake!"#GLOvBAT pic.twitter.com/pmeDNI1Vmt
— Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast (@bloodandmud) January 4, 2020
On Friday it was Sale Sharks v Harlequins with this foolish act from Joe Marler causing a stampede of Du Preezs to charge forward.
Joe Marler got to meet all the du Preezs at once 🤝 pic.twitter.com/PAMCoFsCGY
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) January 4, 2020
Charge is a good word to sum up Saracens’ performance against Worcester as they cruised to a 62-5 win at Allianz Park. The Warriors’ twitter account summed up their feelings perfectly as it was a rout on Saturday.
Is it home time yet? 😔
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) January 4, 2020
It wasn’t just with ball in hand that Saracens were outstanding, as replacement scrum-half Ben Spencer’s bruising tackle proved.
Good morning Sarries fans! 👋
Hope your hangover hasn’t hit you like this @Ben_spencer9 tackle 😨🍺 #TogetherSaracens ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/lxbBHHgqaq
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) January 5, 2020
From a technically brilliant hit to one that has left a few questions, as was Owen Farrell lucky to get away with this big collision?
Faz Investments LTD must specialise in Teflon https://t.co/lDqYNuMLxN
— Graham Love (@glove931) January 4, 2020
Switching to the PRO14 now and what a fantastic run this was from Dragons prop Leon Brown in their victory over the Ospreys.
🚨 RUNAWAY PROP AT RODNEY PARADE!
🐉 @dragonsrugby respond to Ospreys' strong start with a try from Leon Brown
🗣 "Is there a better sight in rugby than a tighthead prop coming on an angle at an inside ball, and running 30 metres to score?!" pic.twitter.com/j2AndaMviM
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) January 4, 2020
Continuing the happy vibe on the first weekend of the new year, here’s BT Sport’s look back at the funny moments from 2019.
Dressing room scenes 🕺
Bizarre interviews 👀
Pundits roasting each other ☠️Enjoy some of the more hilarious moments we saw in 2019…@JoeMarler features more than most 😂 pic.twitter.com/DXdctKG6c0
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) December 31, 2019
Toulon trio Eben Etzebeth, Julian Savea and Liam Messam brought in the new year with a few songs. Lots of work needed here.
Finally, look what is just around the corner. Will it be Wales again or will we have a new winner in the Six Nations Championship?
We're exactly four weeks from Round One of the 2020 Championship. pic.twitter.com/YdwQeU88o1
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 4, 2020