The Rugby Download 🦁
Welcome to The Rugby Download, your one stop shop for this week's rugby. You get key news, who’s playing and where to watch delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.
Not subscribed yet? Click below to get your weekly newsletter completely free.
This Week In Rugby 🏉
📱 The Mystery Tweeter? Springbok Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, has denied accusations of setting up a fake Twitter profile under the name of Jaco Johan. The profile has been vocally critical of the refereeing decisions in the 1st Test. Erasmus did however say of “Jaco”: “He’s a big supporter. A very funny guy.”
🚑 Lions Injury Update? Loosehead Prop Wyn Jones has been ruled out of the 2nd Test. In more positive news, Fly Half Finn Russell is back in training.
🏅 Fijian Gold? The Fiji 7’s team have won gold in the Olympic Rugby 7’s, retaining the title from 2016. Team GB missed out on a bronze medal after losing to Argentina in the Bronze play-off game.
🐝 Mitchell Joins The Swarm? John Mitchell has left his role as England Defence Coach to join the Wasps backroom staff.
🐆 Scottish Puma’s? Edinburgh have signed Argentina international’s Emiliano Boffelli and Ramiro Mayano, subject to visa approvals. Both can operate across the back 3.
🤬 No Place For It. Former Ireland international Neil Francis has been let go by the Irish Independent after both the Lions and Harlequins heavily criticised his comments about Marcus Smith. The remarks were made on the Irish Independent’s Left Wing podcast, where he referred to Smith, who is of Filipino heritage, as having an “Oompa Loompa tan”.
Match of the Week 🔥
⚔️ South Africa vs British & Irish Lions - Sat 5pm, Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event, Lions Tour
For many of us we are still catching our breath from a helter skelter 1st Test. It may not have been a try fest but it had bone crunching intensity, nerve jangling TMO reviews, heart in your mouth goal kicking and importantly, a Lions win. Now the 2nd Test is upon us, the Lions are 80 minutes from possibly sealing a historic series win, the Springboks with their noses bloodied though, can be an extremely dangerous beast.
Despite the win Gatland has made changes to his team, Mako Vunipola comes in at prop in the sole change to the forwards, after Rory Sutherland had a tough day in the scrum last week. In the backs, defensive rock Chris Harris replaces Elliot Daly at 13 and ultimate game-manager Conor Murray is favoured to the improvisational talents of Ali Price at 9. Both backline changes suggest the Lions are gearing up for a physical and tactical duel rather than a Harlem Globetrotters-esque performance.
For the Boks, Jacques Nienaber has also made changes. Last week’s replacement props Kitsoff and Malherbe see themselves promoted to starting positions. Jasper Weise also replaces Kwagga Smith at No.8 and will bring a more traditional hard-carrying approach. The biggest change may well be the return of the 6:2, forwards:backs, split on the bench that was so favoured by them at the 2019 World Cup. Nienaber will have noticed the Boks losing their physical dominance as last week’s 2nd half wore on and he will be hoping this new bench makeup can act as an antidote to that.
What’s On? 📺
Lions Tour
South Africa vs British & Irish Lions - Sat 5pm, Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Main Event
Enjoyed the Download? 👍
If you’ve enjoyed The Rugby Download support it by hitting the big green button to share it with the rugby lovers in your life.
Got any feedback or just want to chat? Email therugbydownload@gmail.com
Have a Ruck & Roll Weekend 🏉