Well folks, we've done the 1-15 and the manager is pre-destined, but now into the realms of what makes Lions tours so unusual, the items on the fringe that gain cult status - in the past there were the songs, the JJ and JPR hair an unusual mix of alliances - Carling & Popplewell at common purpose, but what could / should we have this time?
First - a mascot, who do we draft here - Leinster's (Leo?) Lion being the obvious candidate, but what about going one further - an actual Lion (can we do this under modern day health and safety or can Messrs Hartley & O'Connell convince them otherwise).
I always rather liked Sale's shark mask/headgear - what clothing options would there be for the chap about town - the Martin Johnson mask perhaps?
Then how does one wear ones hair, both facial and on top - the 70s Welsh ninja meets Carlos the Jackal?
Then, diet, as crucial as diet is to a player, so it is to a fan - what then to pick? As we're overseas a cocktail would seem to be in order, but is it the Slattery / Popplewell gallon of Guinness or the more unusual "Chilcott" (a pint of aftershave served in the Calcutta Cup)
What would you suggest will give the tour the neccessary "gravitas" if one can call it that?
Likely Lions - Ephemera
posted on 1/5/12
Can we call in the Thundercats?
posted on 1/5/12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ydxEB8XPrSc
posted on 1/5/12
If we want a wild untameable beast as mascot we could just take Lewis Moody.
(I couldn't remeber his name for a moment and had Josh Lewsey's name in my head, so googled 'England Flanker Nutter' and up he popped top of the list)
posted on 1/5/12
HEY SARS
Didn't the Calcutta Cup get kicked down the street in scotland at one point? back in the day so to speak
posted on 1/5/12
I'm amazed that anyone's computer would have the processing power to bring back a search with "England flanker nutter"
Like the Thundercats one. I've not heard that about the Calcutta Cup but it wouldn't surprise me at all - there'd be plenty capable of doing that on both sides
posted on 2/5/12
SARS for your reading pleasure and to add to your encyclopedic knowledge off rugby high jinks and grand tales! I present you this!
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1988
It was not only Scottish pride that was dented after they lost 9-6 to England at Murrayfield, the almost priceless Calcutta Cup itself came in for some rough treatment as Scotland's John Jeffrey and England's Dean Richards (a policeman in the real world) kicked the 110-year-old trophy down Edinburgh's Princes Street. The outrage could not have been more had it been the Queen Mother instead of the cup, with some calling for life bans. As it was, Jeffrey was banned for six months and Richards for one match. "When we took it away it wasn't damaged and when we brought it back it was," a groggy Jeffrey admitted. "I have to say we were responsible."
PICTURE OF SAID CUP: Damaged
http://www.espnscrum.com/PICTURES/CMS/4100/4149.jpg
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But then that was the grand story where the truth seems a little less interesting ->
http://www.scotsman.com/news/we_dropped_the_calcutta_cup_while_using_it_as_a_rugby_ball_admits_jeffrey_1_815300
However reviewing the damage to the cup... It certainly looks like it was kicked! LMAO
posted on 2/5/12
Thats how it should be, what I really like was that two mortal enemies were together getting totally hammered, pouring whisky over Brian Moore and then booting a 100+ year old trophy up Princes Street
The difference in bans seems rather harsh I have to say, but near legendary stuff - surely time for a 25 year anniversary one next year?
Thanks DBM - that brightened up my day!
posted on 2/5/12
Your welcome mate. I remember hearing MJ tell this story a few years back and it stuck in my head. but kind of thought it was a tall tail.
On the Calcutta Cup as a symbol and reward i really quite like it! I mean its got to be the only bloody cup you can win in the world that is actually a real bloody CUP! well tankard if were being pedantic... but ye its a real cup. How cool is that! I mean its a far cry from the Heineken so called CUP or the statue the wendyballers get for winning the world CUP!