On the field, it was another weekend of thrills and drama in the Investec Champions Cup, and the EPCR Challenge Cup as the pool stages take shape.
On the field, it was another weekend of thrills and drama in the Investec Champions Cup, and the EPCR Challenge Cup as the pool stages take shape.
Off the field, the Eben Etzebeth eye-gouging saga took another twist, while his international coach signed on for a few more years with South Africa.
Then there were ruminations on how a law change has influenced styles of play, and an ex-player finding his new adrenaline hit.
Here’s what was ringing in ATR’s ears this week…
“Thanks to everyone that stood by me and thought the best of me. I’m sorry for letting you and the game down. That was my first red card since I started playing. I want it to be my last.”
Eben Etzebeth writes a mea culpa on Instagram:
“The scrum is special to the sport and if you are unable to front up or pick players able to do that because you are going for lighter players or you are not robust enough, or you have not spent the time coaching props, technically you should be at a disadvantage. You are probably gaining an advantage somewhere else, probably in mobility around the park. It is such a big part of the game that to lose that element of being able to apply pressure and get rewarded would be criminal.”
Sale Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson doesn’t want the scrum tweaked:
“He’s been very good at changing his assistant coaches, and why would you want to leave that job, with the depth of players he’s got? It’s a pretty attractive job.”
Eddie Jones sums up why Rassie Erasmus has signed a contract extension with the Boks:
“We’ve been behind in a lot of games, and every time (head coach) Franco (Smith) speaks at halftime, and I look around the changing room, I don’t doubt anyone believes we can come back.”
Glasgow Warriors captain Sione Tuipulotu knew what was coming after the break versus Toulouse:
“When you fear your opponent, you rise to the occasion a little. When you don't, it's not good. We were afraid of Bath, and we played a great match, especially up front.”
Jérémy Sinzelle reveals what drove Toulon to their victory over Bath:
“I think we’ve got a good few pieces of the jigsaw in place.”
Saracens DoR Mark McCall heralds George Martin’s arrival as Saracens rebuild:
“I’m very upset for Stuey, incredibly upset. I wish him all the best for his recovery – it’s a dreadful thing. It’s an opportunity for some lads to fill some big shoes that he has left but he’s a good friend and I’m devastated.”
Rivals for the England three shirt, but Joe Heyes will miss the injured Will Stuart:
“Are coaches now just going to be looking for a 6ft 4in athlete that can jump to put on the wing? What happens to the Cheslin Kolbe’s? He’s obviously an exceptional talent but are we in danger of the game going down that route of just wanting those athletes when we also want skill and football IQ as well?
Gloucester flyhalf Ross Byrne isn’t a fan of the new kick chase laws:
“I went back to play for England, and it was incredibly frustrating. I was not given one game or one opportunity to show what I could do, which at the time was really upsetting. At the time, it knocked me about mentally. Now it is in the past and I don’t bother thinking about it. Right now, I have no ambition to come back and play for England again.”
Zach Mercer says that is that, where England are concerned:
“The thing with Marcus is he enjoys it all being on him. He wants to be the general, that’s why he wants to be the 10.”
Harlequins Cadan Murley adds his thoughts to the England flyhalf debate:
“Every two hours you need to be on the oars, physically outputting power, off the back of at best an hour and a half sleep, living off crap freeze-dried food. The combination of all of that makes it tough.”
Sounds like ex-England sevens captain Ollie Phillips knows what’s coming on his cross-Atlantic row: