Sunday Social: Strong emotions, mind games and some great entertainers

David Skippers
Sunday Social image 11 June 2023.jpg

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 this emotional video from London Irish which looks back at great memories from their current and previous squads after a turbulent week for the club, who were suspended from the Premiership after failing to provide financial guarantees for the 2023/24 season.

Argentina and London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy summed up his feelings perfectly over the club’s situation with this heartwarming farewell message to the Exiles.

Meanwhile, South Africa‘s decision to call up Munster and Ireland second-row Jean Kleyn to their Rugby Championship squad has led to accusations against the Springboks’ management of playing early mind games ahead of the World Cup.

Elsewhere, in Super Rugby Pacific, the Hurricanes suffered a narrow quarter-final defeat to the Brumbies, but the Wellington-based side’s back-row Devan Flanders stole the show with this fantastic try.

That match had a controversial finish as the Hurricanes missed out on a sensational win in the game’s dying moments after Ardie Savea was denied a late try by the TMO. The Hurricanes skipper had to fight back the tears when discussing the incident in his post-match interview.

Meanwhile, the Brumbies were in a celebratory mood in the sheds after that epic battle.

Earlier, on Friday, Shaun Wallace aka “The Dark Destroyer” of ITV quiz show The Chase was cheering on the Blues with some fans of the Auckland-based team in their quarter-final victory over the Waratahs at Eden Park.

In England, some members of Bath’s women’s squad had each other in stitches with some jokes.

We also turn back the clock to look at a video in which two of rugby’s and football’s great entertainers – Barry John and George Best – spent some time together.

While this video of Wales lock Allan Martin slotting a 45-metre penalty in the Six Nations against England will certainly warm Welsh hearts.

And finally, we leave you with some of the best try assists from the career of one of the current game’s great entertainers, Scottish playmaker Finn Russell.

READ MORE: Ardie Savea adamant he scored late try in Hurricanes’ narrow loss to Brumbies

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