Off Topic Ospreys, Wales & BIL

Merry Xmas Swan

 

The story has been told a number of times but remains a classic, highlighting how it used to be in Welsh derby matches.

A young Phil Bennett, skippering Llanelli aged just 19, knocked on the home dressing room door at The Gnoll with the referee ahead of a clash with Neath. The said door swung open and there stood the imposing figure of the legendary Wales forward Brian Thomas, a man as wide as he was tall, complete with black eye on this particular day, which may or may not have been sustained within the confines of his own dressing room.

Thomas looked as if he had just learned that a lorry had reversed over his new garden shed.

“What do you want?” he asked gruffly. Told the visitors had come about the coin toss, he growled back: “We’ll kick off and play with the wind in the first half, and if you don’t f*** off we’ll do the same in the second half as well.”

All things considered, they probably don’t make ’em like Brian Thomas anymore. Benny later admitted the episode had done little for his sense of inner peace that day. Which is as Thomas would have wanted.

A man open to gaining even the slightest edge over his opponents, he was still at it in his days as Neath rugby director, responding to suggestions that Swansea and their No. 8 Stuart Davies, in particular, had bullied Neath, who had worn turquoise shirts on the day, by telling this writer: “Next time you see Stuart Davies, just say one word to him — Phil Pugh.”

Self-preservation dictated that the big man wasn’t informed that actually two words would have been involved in that process.

 

Shocking really - even more shocking is the rumour that Roger Lewis is (allegedly) being lined up as the Independent Chairman ……

 

At least he was trying to go low! Did you see Farrell's? Wasn't even checked, clear card, at least yellow and then he drops the goal to win the game for Saracens

 

Outstanding win for the Ospreys in Leicester tonight

 

Great game to watch and 100% commitment from the Ospreys. I hope Jac Morgan takes his current form into the 6 nations.

 

Some superb performances there last night - Jac, Tips, Owen Williams … and what a cameo by Rhys Henry!

 

I wish I'd seen the game

 

They deserved it

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64333230

 

Sadly not surprising. Perhaps this is what it will take to shake up the WRU?

 

Trouble - in my opinion - is all the ‘over promoted’ Committeemen who comprise the WRU corridors of power won’t want to risk derailing their particular gravy train …..