Rugby folk old enough to remember the French pack of the 1970s will therefore be grateful that they never encountered a hound belonging to Gerard Cholley or Michel Palmie, those XL Bullies in human form.
As far as your columnist is aware – a low bar, admittedly, but let’s not make an issue of it – there has been no formal research into any similar relationship between rugby coaches and their teams. Yet it would be a fruitful area for study, especially now Richard Cockerill is in command of the Georgian national side.
Leicester’s bullet-headed hooker of yore may have found his true place in the world, for to the naked eye, his fundamental rugby characteristics are perfectly aligned with those of his new charges. As a player, he was courageous, durable, confrontational, technically proficient in some areas, just a little rough and ready in others. Which bit of this doesn’t apply to Georgia? None of it.
Our argument can be made more strongly still in respect of Felipe Contepomi, who has just succeeded Michael Cheika as head coach of Argentina and will presumably be given an entire World Cup cycle to build a side capable of taking that one last, forbidding step towards a first global final.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
