Celebrate the Fish Nations
With Six Nations here, Weird Fish clothing has introduced a Fish Nations T-shirt, available in a range of three colours for £20. So whether you support England, Scotland, France, Italy, Ireland of ‘Whales’ (see what we did there?), show your love for the noble game with this printed artist T-shirt.
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Available in steel grey, dark red and blue indigo, the Fish Nations T-shirt has been exclusively designed just for Weird Fish, so that when you’re cheering your team to victory, you can do so in this special tee. The T-shirt is available online now: https://www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/men/mens-new-styles/i/fish-nations-artist-t-shirt-steel-grey-11219
Search returns to find Britain’s Best Rugby Pub
Has your local got what it takes to be named Britain’s Best Rugby Pub of 2019?
After the success of last year’s inaugural quest, organisers of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens are again calling on pub going fans to nominate their favourite rugby watering holes.
The social media campaign launches today (Friday) when pub-goers across the nation are being asked to say why their local deserves the title.
Manager James Reeve of inaugural title holders the Merchant’s Inn at Rugby said that the win gave the venue an unexpected boost. They were up against stiff competition from the Athletic Arms in Edinburgh, the Cabbage Patch at Twickenham, The Palmeira at Hove and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells in the Scottish Borders to be crowned winners in April last year.
James said: “First up it was a massive shock, but also an honour, to win this competition as we were up against some of the best in the business. We’ve used the award win in our advertising and promotion and we’ve had a lot more visitors as a result. The plaque takes pride of place outside our premises and it’s the first thing that visitors see when they walk in – they know they are entering Britain’s Best Rugby Pub of 2018. We would love to retain the title, but we know the competition will be tough.”
Britain has an abundance of pubs where people come together to enjoy shared interests including rugby, and often the atmosphere in clubs and bars during big-match screenings can be almost as electrifying as you’d find in a stadium.
Rugby fans who can’t travel to the Borders to cheer on the home and international teams at the 129th Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens on Saturday, April 13 will be able to savour match day action through television coverage.
So, it’s a great opportunity for fans to get into some pre-tournament rivalry by putting forward local hostelries as contenders.
Whether it’s the good craft beer on tap, big screens showing matches, tasty food or the convivial atmosphere, it’s up to the pub-going public to state why they think their local deserves the honour.
Douglas Hardie, president of Melrose Rugby Club said: “It’s all to play for – we can’t wait to hear the pub-going public’s suggestions for the 2019 Rugby Pub of the Year. Going by last year’s experience, we expect this competition to generate plenty of competitive rivalry, just as there will be on the pitch at Melrose on April 13.
“More than 12,000 people will descend on Melrose to attend the tournament, and many more will be watching television coverage in bars or pubs. Imagine the added satisfaction of enjoying the tournament in a venue that has just been named Aberdeen Standard Investments’ Melrose Sevens Rugby Pub of the Year.”
Fans are encouraged share their comments – and pictures – on Melrose Sevens social media www.facebook.com/melrosevens, or Twitter @melrose7s using the hashtag #bestrugbypub
Voting closes on March 1 and after reviewing the entries, a shortlist will be drawn up and it will then go to a public vote, with the winner announced before this year’s Melrose Sevens. The pub that gains the most votes will receive the coveted title and an inscribed plaque to recognise the achievement.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens is a great day out for families, couples and rugby fans who enjoy fast and exhilarating sporting action. Tickets for the event start from £10 for children, £15 for senior citizens and £20 for adults. Family tickets are also available for £50, admitting two adults and two children.
Clubs from across Scotland will be competing against each other this year, alongside international teams from England, South Africa and USA, for their chance to win the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens Ladies Cup.
If you can’t make it to Melrose, watch BBC coverage through BBC Scotland which is available outside Scotland on Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.melrose7s.com. Keep up to date with the action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melrosevens, Twitter @melrosevens and Instagram @melrosesevens.
Diamond MMA. The most protective and comfortable groin protection on Earth.
“This is superb product that offers protection which is the best solution to groin protection during combat and training, I highly recommend this product and producer” InTouch Rugby Combat Editor
www.diamondmma.com
“I have worn this product during training and it’s completely designed with protection in mind but is also fully functional in the sense that my movement was not obstructed. I knew the product would work, but what surprised me was how quickly you forget you even have it on. Diamond MMA actually adds to my confidence, and the part of the mind which had to consider groin protection is now freed up to analyze the battlefield, and identify my route to success…& THAT’S A BIG ADVANTAGE! superbly made, very durable, and the compression shorts option is an entire benefit in itself. I would recommend this product to anyone tired of cheap groin protection options!” – The Curator
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Diamond MMA is a sporting equipment company devoted to helping people avoid groin injuries at all costs. We design, manufacture, and sell high-end protective athletic cups and gear for athletes at all experience levels.
Our mission is to set a new standard for groin protection in high-impact sports. We’re empowering people to move freely and always perform with confidence.
Problem:
The athletic cup market is full of protective gear that does not effectively protect athletes in high-impact sports. Cup shifting during activity is a major problem and severe injuries continue to plague sports where groin protection is required for competition.
Solution:
We spent years designing, developing, and testing our compression jock and athletic cup system. The key feature is our patented 4-strap jock system that can keep an athletic cup locked into place with ZERO shifting. The Diamond MMA system eliminates all vulnerable positions and gives you the confidence to always perform at your best. With Diamond MMA, you never need to worry about your manhood again.
Rugby training wear ➡️ www.canterbury.com …
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Mens Vapodri Woven Gym Short , £30.00
Mens Core Vapodri Large Logo Tee, £18, available from www.canterbury.com
Men Core Vapodri Large Logo T-Shirt, £19, available from www.canterbury.com
Mens core vapodri superlight poly logo t-shirt, £20, available from www.canterbury.com
Cruga Biltong
Now the Six Nations is upon us we may be more inclined to go out and give rugby a try for ourselves too. Find out where your local club plays and if you don’t fancy joining them on the pitch, get along to the games and give them your support.
If you are taking to the rugby pitch remember to take some biltong with you, along with your rugby boots. This high protein snack makes for a great post-game pick me up and it helps your muscles repair after a hard session on the pitch. Protein is essential for building and repairing your body such as muscle re-growth, skin, hair and bones and this makes biltong a perfect snack. As your body does not store protein you need to eat regular amounts throughout the day and especially after training.
In terms of the protein content each 40g pack has 22.1g of protein per pack, which makes for a perfect portion to spread out your protein intake throughout the day.
We’d always recommend that you snack on Cruga biltong as part of a healthy balanced diet, but who can’t resist a bit of biltong in it now and again.
Plus, biltong won’t go off in your bag if you forget about it until your next training session (we’ve all found that squashed, quite brown banana lurking at the bottom of a bag). It’s made from beef silverside that has been hand prepared, marinated and air-dried, which helps preserve biltong as a snack. Cruga Biltong doesn’t need refrigerated and will last up to 12 months in its sealed packet. What more do you need from a high protein snack, it’s ready when you are!
ALDI LAUNCHES NEW BEERS “TOO GOOD TO PASS” THIS RUGBY SEASON
www.aldi.co.uk
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With Six Nations just around the corner, Aldi shoppers can show national support by stocking up on the supermarket’s unique new range of British and Welsh-brewed beers – perfect for those who’d rather host match-day celebrations at home than tackle props at the local pub!
‘Try’ the whole range now, available in stores, all for just 99p a bottle!
Jesse James American IPA (£0.99, 330ml)
Available in stores now
American in style but English-brewed, this straw-coloured IPA has rich citrus aromas and a zesty, fruity finish with a sweet malty flavour to ‘tackle’ your taste buds.
Hoptical Illusion (£0.99, 330ml)
Available in stores now
Lager lovers can try this zesty tipple, with flavours of bitter lemon and a malty kick – a ‘scrummy’ choice for those supporting any team.
Dark Matters Coffee Porter (£0.99, 330ml)
Available in stores now
One for the Welsh fans! This unique dark beer will have rugby fans ‘hooked’ with the sweet creaminess of chocolate and flavours of caramel and fig.
Queen Bee (£0.99, 330ml)
Available in stores now
Kick off match-day celebrations with this honeyed golden ale. With herbal notes and hints of sweetness from the honey, will this beer help your favourite team win the crown?
England tip Six Nations scales with heaviest ever squad
England have weighed in for this year’s Six Nations at a tournament record player average of 106.9kg, well above the 102kg benchmark that seven of the last 10 winners have carried.
Jason Leonard launches The Front Row Club an Off Shoot of the Atlas Foundation both of which raise funds for the atlas foundation helping under privileged communities around the world, just £10 for membership with lots of benefits >> www.frontrowclub.com
What is The Atlas Foundation?
“We started The Atlas Foundation three years ago and it now helps some of the poorest kids in the poorest places, many living in terrible circumstances, helping them through the power of rugby and the respect, fun and enjoyment of what rugby brings.
You could have a project with health, education and feeding programmes, unfortunately some of our kids their dads are no longer around but we can get them to a local rugby club or school to do a bit of rugby and make it fun. We can put food in front of them, which could be their best meal that week, and we unearth some great players no matter whether we are in Argentina or Africa.”
What inspired the formation of The Atlas Foundation?
“Since retiring I’ve run a charity dinner every year and it was getting bigger and bigger, I would donate the money to a small charity and we thought after that success to launch a foundation with trustees and employ best practice and all with a focus of helping these kids. I’ve been lucky enough to play rugby in some of the richest places in the world and you can be right beside a shanty town or slum, and through Atlas we are able to help out.”
See more at :- www.theatlasfoundation.org.uk
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theatlasfoundation
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JLeonardAtlas
What is The Front Row Club?
“The Front Row Club is a membership club which people can sign up to for just £10. I played in the front row, most front rows are very social and it’s an online club where you can keep in touch with other members. There are incredible prizes up for grabs and discussion platforms, it can be serious questions or someone could be moving countries with a job and use the club to get connections in that country.
The proceeds will go directly to The Atlas Foundation and we wanted to make it a bit if fun so we’re giving members access to competitions for prizes such as tickets to the World Cup Final this year where people can meet up with me for a meal amongst other things! The most important thing is raising more money to help these kids.”
See more at :- www.frontrowclub.com
Social Media
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/frontrowclub123/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/frontrc123
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frontrc/
What a great year for rugby?
“Yes I think it will be interesting to see how the Premiership goes. It is one of, if not the, hardest leagues in the world so we will have an interesting finish. Then the Champions Cup with the Irish and French sides battling it out and Saracens will also want to play their part.
For the Six Nations, England and Wales are just behind Ireland and Scotland have improved, they can be a banana skin to anyone, the tournament is shaping up really well. The World Cup in Japan will be a unique occasion and a fantastic trip for those heading over. It will be a special event and it’s obviously a showcase for our game and with the Olympics just around the corner we know Japan will throw everything behind it!”
Very best wishes.
Jason Leonard OBE.
Interview conducted by the Rugby Rep Curator.
Jason Leonard was speaking as part of the launch of The Front Row Club, a new charitable initiative giving fans unique access to tickets and events and the views of some of the biggest names in rugby. For more information visit www.frontrowclub.com
WIN: OPRO POWER-FIT MOUTHGUARDS
www.opromouthguards.com
To win an OPRO Mouthguard simply retweet or share & like or heart one of our posts on any of our social media or linkedin pages! Winners will be chosen at the end of the competition duration in 4 weeks and the winners will be notified by DM.
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We are excited to offer all readers the chance to win one of 5 OPRO Power-Fit Mouthguards
With over 20 years of experience and know-how behind the unique anatomical shape of OPRO’s self-fit mouthguards, OPRO Power-Fit sits at the summit of their Self-Fit range, offering consumers the ultimate in self-fitting protection, comfort and retention.
It offers an innovative and immediate solution for those looking for the protection levels of a custom fit mouthguard, with the ease of fitting a self-fit product via the boil and bite method.
After years of research and development by OPRO, the introduction of the patented ‘Power Cage’ – the fitting device which applies perfectly balanced pressure over the entire surface of the mouthguard during the fitting process – provides phenomenal fit unlike any other self-fit mouthguard on the market today.
The elements of Power-Fit’s unique design come together to produce optimum impact protection, flexibility, supreme comfort and a highly retentive fit that follows the position and contours of the teeth.
Extra features include the presence of an odour and taste free antimicrobial additive, that has been proven to provide near complete protection (99.99%) from bacteria.
Once moulded, the Power-Fit mouthguard provides excellent protection for teeth and gums from injury during any ball, stick or combat sport, with no shortage on comfort and ultimate protection.
OPRO Power-Fit comes in a range of styles and is available from www.opromouthguards.com (RRP £29.99).
DRYROBE LEADS THE WAY AS THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED CHANGE ROBE
From humble beginnings and a solitary car park in the depths of Cornwall, to an international business with world-renowned partners, the trajectory of dryrobe has been quite incredible.
Founded by North Devon surfer, Gideon Bright, who has over 30 years’ experience in the water, they’ve developed the world’s most advanced change robe through innovation and product development.
Born from surfing but now catering for paddle sports (SUP, canoeing & kayaking), swim, OCR (obstacle course racing), camping, wakeboarding, triathlon, mountain biking, running and touchline sports, it was Gideon’s mother who created the first ever ‘dryrobe’ when he was a teenager.
Producing a ‘huge robe’ one Christmas by utilising her accomplished sewing skills, the original version was little more than a light blue waterproof ‘robe’ made from tent material with towel lining; it kept Gideon warm though, after a day out on the surf.
Gideon always had the old waterproof and windproof ‘robe’ idea in the back of his mind but didn’t think to develop it until one freezing day years later, stood in a car park, in the rain with a wet towel robe on, when he decided to make something better. After setting himself up in his garden shed and working on several designs, the first ever dryrobe was sold online in December 2010.
The two core products, the dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve and the dryrobe Advance Short Sleeve, tell the story of this transformation from a homemade robe born out of necessity to an advanced change robe that offers customers unrivalled protection whatever the weather.
Through a waterproof and windproof outer layer and with insulating fabrics at its core, dryrobe’s reusable design lets you get active outdoors, without ever feeling wet or cold.
Specifically, its innovative lining draws water away from the skin into the pile of the fabric, to preserve your energy and help regulate core body temperature.
Versatility is another hallmark element of the product, with a two-way inner/outer zip mechanism and an overall loose fit making changing in and out of underlayers such as wetsuits simple, with no restrictions.
The fleece lined zip close exterior pockets provide further warmth and comfort, and a two-way waterproof zip chest pocket provides a safe place to protect valuable items from the elements.
The dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve features Velcro cuff adjusters to aid warmth further, particularly great for those waiting around in the cold, even spectating sport.
Through their products, dryrobe has built partnerships with the likes of Red Bull, GoPro, Adidas, Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Wolf Run, Maverick Race, RYA (Royal Yachting Association), British Water Ski & Wakeboard and the RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society).
Speaking on the product and its transformation, founder Gideon Bright commented: “For us it has always been about pushing boundaries to develop the best possible product. As a simple concept, we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we’ve received from users.”
“Surf, swim, paddle sports, OCR – whatever the purpose, we’re committed to providing only the best in terms of both protection and comfort.”
As a sign post of dryrobe’s success, the product has been used and endorsed by the likes of Great British Swim world record setter, Ross Edgley and Women’s British Surfing Champion, Lucy Campbell.
The core products in the dryrobe range come in various styles and they offer a range of other products to compliment these.
To find out more about dryrobe and to purchase yours, visit www.dryrobe.com
The Six Nations has almost reached its conclusion with the final round of fixtures taking place on Saturday as Wales, England and Ireland all fight it out for the title – and bookmakers BetVictor (https://www.betvictor.com/) have the latest odds on who is favourite to emerge victorious.
Wales, who take on Ireland at the Principality Stadium at 14:45 in search of the Grand Slam, are favourites to win the tournament at 8/11. A victory against Ireland would ensure their success.
England are the next best fancied at 11/8 ahead of their clash with Scotland at Twickenham at 17:00. If Wales lose against Ireland, England would guarantee the title with a bonus-point victory, but a win over Scotland would likely be enough.
The least fancied of the three are Ireland, with odds of 14/1. Ireland’s only realistic chance is to beat Wales and hope England fail to defeat Scotland.
The table below runs through the odds to win for each side:
Rank
Name
Fractional odds
Decimal odds
1
Wales
8/11
1.727
2
England
11/8
2.375
3
Ireland
14/1
15
Home comforts for Wales?
If punters needed more of a reason to back Wales, they can look to their record at the Principality Stadium (and formerly the Millennium Stadium) in the final round of Six Nations games over the years.
Of the 13 matches they have played at home in their closing Six Nations encounters, they have picked up 10 victories, with each of their four Six Nations title wins being secured at the Principality Stadium – in 2005, 2008, 2012 and 2013.
In fact, in 2005, Wales defeated Ireland at home to win the Grand Slam – will we see a repeat result this year?
The table below runs through Wales’ previous results at the Principality Stadium in the final round of Six Nations fixtures:
Year
Result
Title or Grand Slam
2018
Wales 14-13 France
2016
Wales 67-14 Italy
2014
Wales 51-3 Scotland
2013
Wales 30-3 England
Title
2012
Wales 16-9 France
Grand Slam
2010
Wales 33-10 Italy
2009
Wales 15-17 Ireland
2008
Wales 29-12 France
Grand Slam
2007
Wales 27-18 England
2006
Wales 16-21 France
2005
Wales 32-20 Ireland
Grand Slam
2004
Wales 44-10 Italy
2002
Wales 22-27 Scotland
Of the 19 winners of the Six Nations tournament, only eight of those claimed the title at home in the final round of fixtures, with Wales’ four triumphs at the Principality Stadium being matched by France’s four at the Stade de France.
The table below runs through the years in which the Six Nations winners secured the title at home in the final round of fixtures:
Year
Result
Title or Grand Slam
2013
Wales 30-3 England
Title
2012
Wales 16-9 France
Grand Slam
2010
France 12-10 England
Grand Slam
2008
Wales 29-12 France
Grand Slam
2007
France 46-19 Scotland
Title
2005
Wales 32-20 Ireland
Grand Slam
2004
France 24-21 England
Grand Slam
2002
France 44-5 Ireland
Grand Slam
England feeling at home
If Wales slip up in Cardiff, England will be waiting to pounce – and punters can also take heart from England’s record at home in their closing Six Nations encounters.
Of the seven matches England have played at Twickenham in the final round of Six Nations fixtures, five of those have brought about victories, including two wins against Saturday’s opponents Scotland in 2005 and 2009.
The table below runs through England’s previous results at Twickenham in the final round of Six Nations fixtures:
Year
Result
2018
England 15-24 Ireland
2015
England 55-35 France
2012
England 30-9 Ireland
2009
England 26-12 Scotland
2008
England 33-10 Ireland
2006
England 24-28 Ireland
2005
England 43-22 Scotland
To view the full list of odds for the Six Nations, please visit:
https://www.betvictor.com/en-gb/sports/six-nations
Britain’s scrum for Six Nations tickets! StubHub UK reveals the nation’s biggest rugby fans
The UK’s top ten biggest rugby cities are revealed by leading ticket marketplace, StubHub UK
Brentwood is revealed as the UK town where the most rugby fans reside
Cardiff comes surprisingly low down the list at number seven
StubHub UK can reveal that Brentwood in Essex is the nation’s rugby capital ahead of this Saturday’s nail-biting final. According to official StubHub UK data, people in Brentford spend more per head on rugby tickets than anywhere else in the UK. Winchester was a close second, while Colchester took third place.
Despite rugby being hailed as Wales’ national sport, Wrexham and Cardiff came surprisingly low down the list at number six and seven respectively, with more rugby fans in Leicester and Bristol trying to score tickets for this year’s Six Nations.
Although Edinburgh and Belfast made it into the top ten biggest UK rugby cities according to StubHub UK’s data, they still placed surprisingly low down the list at number eight and ten respectively, despite Scotland and Ireland playing their final matches on March 16.
Alexandra Delvenakiotis, Head of Communications (EMEA) for StubHub, said: ‘It’s an exciting time here in the UK for rugby fans as the Six Nations really heats up, and the ticket searches and sales we’ve seen on the platform really highlight just how much us Brits love to be at the heart of the action when watching live sport!’
‘Taking a close look at our data, we were able to determine the UK’s rugby capital. There are plenty of Six Nations rugby tickets still available on the platform in the lead up to this Saturday’s much anticipated final matches, so fans still have time to snap up some tickets – wherever they live!’
StubHub’s FanProtect promise means that every order is protected by the FanProtect Guarantee, meaning that you will receive genuine tickets or a comparable replacement ticket or your money back.
The UK’s Top Ten Rugby Cities according to StubHub sales data:*
Brentwood
Winchester
Colchester
Leicester
Bristol
Wrexham
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Milton Keynes
Belfast
*obtained by company spend on Six Nations tickets compared to population
How the Irish Rugby Team Can Avoid Haemorrhoids During Six Nations 2019
It’s true, haemorrhoids, or piles if you prefer, are far more common than you might think – and logic tells us they’re especially commonplace on the rugby field.
A survey carried out by exroid.com found that piles rank as one of the top three most embarrassing subjects to talk about, even with your doctor – and this is despite haemorrhoids being a very common ailment. But the result of not talking about haemorrhoids is that people just put up with the symptoms and suffer in silence.
While anyone could get piles, rugby players are particularly susceptible because of the regular physical activity they do which involves resistance and endurance training – and a fair amount of exertion, straining and bearing down.
So, what is a haemorrhoid? The textbook definition is enlarged veins in the anus that may become irritated, or even prolapse and become external haemorrhoids. In addition to discomfort and irritation, haemorrhoids may cause bleeding or display as a bloody stool.
Good news for rugby players is that having haemorrhoids is not a sentence to reduced activity by any means. You can still be competitive and perform at the highest level. It is not uncommon for high-level strength athletes to experience these symptoms, but if you incorporate the proper techniques and take general preventative measures it’s possible to prevent the onset of piles. And if you already have them, there are certainly ways to minimise the symptoms or even make them completely disappear.
Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, medical director of eXroid, has many years’ experience of helping patients deal with their haemorrhoids and has some simple advice that could help sufferers.
“Putting pressure on your venous cushions – be it from exercise, constipation or simply sitting on the toilet – can lead to haemorrhoids. So, the primary rule of thumb is to avoid compression on those veins and connective tissues. Considering that injuries are common in rugby, it’s also very important to see a doctor if you experience any trauma around the buttocks area,” says Dr Hudson-Peacock.
He suggests following these three tips:
Prioritise healthy bowel habits
It’s important to limit your time on the toilet – aim to keep this to under 15 minutes and avoid the temptation to check your phone or read a book on the loo, as sitting on the toilet for long periods of time strains, irritates, and inflames those connective tissues. The more time you spend on the toilet, the more likely you will strain for bowel movements. Also, the seated position puts extra stress on your anal blood vessels. Both of these factors boost your risk of haemorrhoids.
Being constipated has the same effect, so make sure you get plenty of fibre in your diet and drink lots of water. Also make a point of going to the loo when you need to, as holding it in can cause constipation later on.
Be mindful of physical activity
While exercise is good for preventing piles because it helps to regulate bowel movements, be aware that heavy physical activity, such as lifting, can also cause them. This is because you contract the same abdominal muscles as you do when you’re straining on the toilet, which can burden the tissues around your anus.
When you work out, it’s important to be mindful about reducing the amount you bear down on your anal muscles, especially when doing squats and leg presses. Always try to reduce intra-abdominal pressure, and one way to achieve this is building up strength at a reasonable pace.
Ask the experts
It’s common for rugby players to get injuries while practicing or playing matches, however, it’s worthwhile noting that any trauma sustained to the buttocks, especially around the anus area, can cause painful haemorrhoids. If you experience this, make an appointment to see your doctor for an examination, to check the swelling.
If you already have haemorrhoids, be aware that symptoms can feel better or worse at times, but they don’t actually heal. So, if you see rectal bleeding, it’s important to see a GP to determine whether the bleeding is from your haemorrhoids or something more serious that needs to be addressed.
When it comes to treating the condition, there are various creams, ointments and suppositories available over the counter which contain steroid hydrocortisone to help reduce the inflammation, discomfort, and itching. If over the counter treatments aren’t working, see your doctor as you may need a prescription medication.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that is guaranteed to prevent haemorrhoids. However, if medication is not working, there are procedures that will eradicate your haemorrhoidal symptoms. These range from surgical procedures to banding and one of the latest non-invasive techniques which is electrotherapy treatment for haemorrhoids.
How the England Rugby Team Can Avoid Haemorrhoids During Six Nations 2019
It’s true, haemorrhoids, or piles if you prefer, are far more common than you might think – and logic tells us they’re especially commonplace on the rugby field.
A survey carried out by exroid.com found that piles rank as one of the top three most embarrassing subjects to talk about, even with your doctor – and this is despite haemorrhoids being a very common ailment. But the result of not talking about haemorrhoids is that people just put up with the symptoms and suffer in silence.
While anyone could get piles, rugby players are particularly susceptible because of the regular physical activity they do which involves resistance and endurance training – and a fair amount of exertion, straining and bearing down.
So, what is a haemorrhoid? The textbook definition is enlarged veins in the anus that may become irritated, or even prolapse and become external haemorrhoids. In addition to discomfort and irritation, haemorrhoids may cause bleeding or display as a bloody stool.
Good news for rugby players is that having haemorrhoids is not a sentence to reduced activity by any means. You can still be competitive and perform at the highest level. It is not uncommon for high-level strength athletes to experience these symptoms, but if you incorporate the proper techniques and take general preventative measures it’s possible to prevent the onset of piles. And if you already have them, there are certainly ways to minimise the symptoms or even make them completely disappear.
Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, medical director of eXroid, has many years’ experience of helping patients deal with their haemorrhoids and has some simple advice that could help sufferers.
“Putting pressure on your venous cushions – be it from exercise, constipation or simply sitting on the toilet – can lead to haemorrhoids. So, the primary rule of thumb is to avoid compression on those veins and connective tissues. Considering that injuries are common in rugby, it’s also very important to see a doctor if you experience any trauma around the buttocks area,” says Dr Hudson-Peacock.
He suggests following these three tips:
Prioritise healthy bowel habits
It’s important to limit your time on the toilet – aim to keep this to under 15 minutes and avoid the temptation to check your phone or read a book on the loo, as sitting on the toilet for long periods of time strains, irritates, and inflames those connective tissues. The more time you spend on the toilet, the more likely you will strain for bowel movements. Also, the seated position puts extra stress on your anal blood vessels. Both of these factors boost your risk of haemorrhoids.
Being constipated has the same effect, so make sure you get plenty of fibre in your diet and drink lots of water. Also make a point of going to the loo when you need to, as holding it in can cause constipation later on.
Be mindful of physical activity
While exercise is good for preventing piles because it helps to regulate bowel movements, be aware that heavy physical activity, such as lifting, can also cause them. This is because you contract the same abdominal muscles as you do when you’re straining on the toilet, which can burden the tissues around your anus.
When you work out, it’s important to be mindful about reducing the amount you bear down on your anal muscles, especially when doing squats and leg presses. Always try to reduce intra-abdominal pressure, and one way to achieve this is building up strength at a reasonable pace.
Ask the experts
It’s common for rugby players to get injuries while practicing or playing matches, however, it’s worthwhile noting that any trauma sustained to the buttocks, especially around the anus area, can cause painful haemorrhoids. If you experience this, make an appointment to see your doctor for an examination, to check the swelling.
If you already have haemorrhoids, be aware that symptoms can feel better or worse at times, but they don’t actually heal. So, if you see rectal bleeding, it’s important to see a GP to determine whether the bleeding is from your haemorrhoids or something more serious that needs to be addressed.
When it comes to treating the condition, there are various creams, ointments and suppositories available over the counter which contain steroid hydrocortisone to help reduce the inflammation, discomfort, and itching. If over the counter treatments aren’t working, see your doctor as you may need a prescription medication.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that is guaranteed to prevent haemorrhoids. However, if medication is not working, there are procedures that will eradicate your haemorrhoidal symptoms. These range from surgical procedures to banding and one of the latest non-invasive techniques which is electrotherapy treatment for haemorrhoids.
DINE WITH BRITISH SPORTING GREATS AT ‘SMITHS’ OF SMITHFIELD
With the Rugby World Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup happening in the coming months, get ahead of the action, rub shoulders (and dine) with two of Britain’s biggest sporting names, Matt Dawson MBE and Sir Ian Botham at ‘Smiths’ of Smithfield, in Farringdon.
In association with Heineken and Foster’s, the ‘sporting greats supper series’ kicks off in the midst of all the Six Nations action with Northampton, Wasps, England, three- time British Lion, TV pundit & ‘Question of Sport’ captain Matt Dawson MBE on 12th March followed, on 15th May, with dinner with larger-than-life cricketer and charity fundraiser, Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham.
Kick-off each evening in style with a cocktail in the four-floor venue’s Death + Victory bar, before joining the sporting legends as they reflect on their careers, both on and off the pitch, while providing expert views on the upcoming World Cups. Fans will also get the chance to get up close and personal with exclusive meet-and-greets and Q&As before enjoying a three-course dinner in the elegant top floor dining room, No3, with its stunning views over The City. Head chef, Liam Walsh, will be serving up contemporary, seasonal dishes such as torched Cornish mackerel with grilled cucumber, smoked mackerel pate and oyster mayonnaise; and roasted rump of dry-aged scotch beef, celeriac dauphinoise, grilled hispi cabbage, bone-marrow croquette.
Tickets start at £95 inclusive of a welcome cocktail and three-course meal, or upgrade to the full VIP package and find yourself seated at your sporting hero’s table for dinner.
Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or looking for an entertaining night with a difference, this promises to be an evening well spent. Spaces are limited, be sure to book!
Matt Dawson MBE dinner in association with Heineken – Tuesday 12th March, 5.30pm until late
https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/farringdon/smiths-of-smithfield/matt-dawson-mbe-dinner
Sir Ian Botham dinner in association with Foster’s – Wednesday 15th May, 5.30pm until late
https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/farringdon/smiths-of-smithfield/sir-ian-botham-dinner
‘Smiths’ of Smithfield
67-77 Charterhouse St, London EC1M 6HJ
www.smithsofsmithfield.co.uk
FB: @ThisisSmiths | T: @thisissmiths | I: thisissmiths
Capital occasions dressed to thrill – rugby fancy dress world championship quest is on
Ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations fixtures, rugby fans are being encouraged to show their true colours and share pictures of themselves in fancy dress in a bid to win a world title – the inaugural Rugby Fancy Dress World Championships.
The competition is organised by the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Seven which has has seen it all, from a bunch of bananas to a posse of Elvis Presleys, but they are casting the net wider and calling on rugby fans from across the globe to share their weird and wacky costume creations.
This weekend’s sporting action sees Scotland playing host to Wales at Murrayfield and England at home to Italy at Twickenham, both on Saturday, with Ireland taking on France on Sunday, and many fans will show their allegiance with the help of facepaint, quirky headgear and more elaborate garb.
These efforts add to the atmosphere of tournaments and show fans are great sports – and Melrose Sevens wants to capture that spirit by calling for pictures to be submitted via its social media. Entries will be judged on creativity and originality and there will be a best dressed individual rugby fan, and a category for team entries, where consideration will also be given to the overall team’s theme – or set piece.
Fancy dress has been a familiar sight of the Melrose Sevens for decades and this competition closes after this year’s tournament on Saturday 13 April.
“Melrose is the home of rugby sevens,” says Douglas Hardie, President of Melrose Rugby Club. “So, we’re making it the home of rugby fancy dress too. Each year hordes of rugby fans get in touch with their creative side and they bring a colourful and memorable atmosphere to the games they attend. There’s great spectacle on the pitch at The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens every year, but it can be equalled by the off the pitch sights; rugby fans don’t take themselves too seriously. We’re encouraging everyone to wear fancy dress for this year’s tournament so we can show the world how to wear rugby regalia well! ”
To enter the Rugby Fancy Dress World Championships fans should share their outfit photos on the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens social media www.facebook.com/melrose7s, Twitter @melrose7s and Instagram @melrose7s using the hashtag #toprugbycostume.
For inspiration, the Melrose Sevens will be releasing a series of ‘how to’ videos for wannabe fancy dressers, as well as archive photos of the club’s favourite fancy dress over the years.
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens is a great day out for families and friends who enjoy fast and exhilarating sporting action. Tickets for the event start from £10 for children, £15 for senior citizens and £20 for adults. Family tickets are also available for £50, admitting two adults and two children. Attendees are encouraged to attend in fancy dress.
Clubs from across Scotland will be competing against each other and international teams from England, South Africa and USA, for their chance to win the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens Ladies Cup. If you can’t make it to Melrose, watch BBC coverage through BBC Scotland which is available outside Scotland on Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.
For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.melrose7s.com. Keep up to date with the action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melrose7s, Twitter @melrose7s and Instagram @melrose7s
BRIGADIERS HOSTS RUGBY LEGEND LUNCHES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GUINNESS
Friday 1st March – Gareth Thomas & Ed Jackson Friday 15th March – Jim Hamilton & Ed Jackson
Brigadiers has teamed up with Guinness this Six Nations season to offer rugby fans the ultimate match day experience and unique opportunity to meet some of rugby’s biggest names at its Legend Lunches. Both Legend Lunches will be hosted by former English rugby player Ed Jackson alongside famous Welsh Fullback Gareth Thomas on Friday 1st March. Guests will also be in with a chance to sit alongside Ed Jackson and former Saracens player and co-host of The Rugby Pod, Jim Hamilton on Friday 15th March from 12pm-4pm.
Rugby fans will hear the inspirational memoirs from each player, including Ed Jackson’s road to recovery following his accident in 2017 that left the former number eight paralysed from the neck down. Guests will also listen in on each rugby players insider stories from their careers and partake in an open discussion on predictions for the Six Nations championships.
Following the talks guests will indulge in Brigadiers renowned Feast menu including three mouth-watering courses and beer pairings. Guests will start with a sharing selection of Poppadum’s & Chutneys, Lotus Root & Puff Chaat and Masala Chicken Skins followed by an array of specials including; Amritsari Fried Fish Pao, Original BBQ Butter Chicken Wings and Afghani Lamb Cannon Kabab Skewers both served with Open Gate Pilsner beer paring. To finish diners will choose between Brigadiers famous Tandoori Lamb Chops or Tawa Prawn Biryani served with House Dal, Pinenut & Onion Pilau and Tadka Greens. Alternatively, guests can opt for a delicious vegetarian 3-course Feast menu including the likes of Tandoori Aloo Gobhi Vada Pao, Channah Masala and Tawa Wild Mushroom Biryani served with Open Gate Citra IPA with bitter citrus notes to compliment the dishes aromatic spices.
This ultimate experience is available to book via Brigadiers website, tickets to the event on the 1st March and on the 15th March are £100 p/p. Tickets include the intimate talk hosted by rugby legends, 3-course Feast menu with beer pairings.
BRIGADIERS HOSTS RUGBY LEGEND LUNCHES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GUINNESS
Friday 1st March – Tom Shanklin & Ed Jackson Friday 15th March – Jim Hamilton & Ed Jackson
Brigadiers has teamed up with Guinness this Six Nations season to offer rugby fans the ultimate match day experience and unique opportunity to meet some of rugby’s biggest names at its Legend Lunches. Both Legend Lunches will be hosted by former English rugby player Ed Jackson alongside famous Welsh centre Tom Shanklin on Friday 1st March. Guests will also be in with a chance to sit alongside Ed Jackson and former Saracens player and co-host of The Rugby Pod, Jim Hamilton on Friday 15th March from 12pm4pm.
Rugby fans will hear the inspirational memoirs from each player, including Ed Jackson’s road to recovery following his accident in 2017 that left the former number eight paralysed from the neck down. Guests will also listen in on each rugby players insider stories from their careers and partake in an open discussion on predictions for the Six Nations championships.
Following the talks guests will indulge in Brigadiers renowned Feast menu including three mouth-watering courses and beer pairings. Guests will start with a sharing selection of Poppadum’s & Chutneys, Lotus Root & Puff Chaat and Masala Chicken Skins followed by an array of specials including; Amritsari Fried Fish Pao, Original BBQ Butter Chicken Wings and Afghani Lamb Cannon Kabab Skewers both served with Open Gate Pilsner beer paring. To finish diners will choose between Brigadiers famous Tandoori Lamb Chops or Tawa Prawn Biryani served with House Dal, Pinenut & Onion Pilau and Tadka Greens. Alternatively, guests can opt for a delicious vegetarian 3-course Feast menu including the likes of Tandoori Aloo Gobhi Vada Pao, Channah Masala and Tawa Wild Mushroom Biryani served with Open Gate Citra IPA with bitter citrus notes to compliment the dishes aromatic spices.
This ultimate experience is available to book via Brigadiers website, tickets to the event on the 1st March and on the 15th March are £100 p/p. Tickets include the intimate talk hosted by rugby legends, 3-course Feast menu with beer pairings.
England vs. Wales: George North and David Flatman settle Six Nations rivalry on Triumph motorcycles
Welsh International rugby legend George North and English sports pundit David Flatman have settled their Six Nations rivalry away from the rugby pitch on a pair of Triumph motorcycles.
Swapping studded rugby boots for armoured off-road footwear, Flatman and North visited Triumph’s Adventure Riding Experience in Wales, ahead of the England vs. Wales Six Nations match on February 23rd, 2019.
Taking part in a number of challenges, including a slow-speed riding course, momentum techniques and learning to correctly pick up a downed motorcycle, the dynamic duo pushed their riding skills to the limit on a pair of Triumph Tiger 800 adventure motorcycles.
Despite finishing in second place against the 26-year-old professional winger, David Flatman left with his head held high, having only recently passed his motorcycle test alongside fellow England rugby player Dylan Hartley.
The two sportsmen and their competitive streak will return to the foot of the Brecon Beacons for more unforgettable riding experiences and part 2 of their Triumph Adventure Riding Experience, next time on Triumph’s new Scrambler 1200.
After a day on the bikes, George and David discussed the Six Nations and some of the matches that George will face throughout the tournament. Speaking to David Flatman about competition within the Wales squad, George said: “It’s definitely made training a lot more competitive. You know that if at any one point you’re not performing as you should do, then you know your shirt is gone.
“Every day you’re fighting for a jersey, fighting for a position. For us, that’s great… It develops that extra level of skill within us because you know that if you’re not on it then you’ll be dropped.”
Noting the upcoming rivalry between England and Wales, George said: “I think the Six Nations as a whole is huge but there’s always that rivalry between Wales and England, everyone starts talking about it two weeks before the match.
“From our point of view, we learnt this in the past, we’ve got to make sure that every game we’re ready for and we take each one as it comes.”
To book a course at the Triumph Adventure Riding Experience, visit – https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/adventure-experience
Six Nations rugby players could generate enough power to cook over 800 pizzas, reveals Opus Energy
Rugby players could power up to 46kWh through their energetic play during the Six Nations matches
New research from business energy supplier, Opus Energy today reveals that Six Nations Rugby players* could power up to 46kWh through their energetic play during the course of the championship.
Using some clever calculations and a little bit of brain power, the business energy supplier looked into what this power would equate to in relation to fans watching the game at home. They found that, with 46kWh, Amazon Alexa could respond to 11,500 questions about the rules of the game… “What is the difference between a ruck and maul again?”
Opus Energy also discovered that the players could power enough ovens to cook 848 pizzas during the games, boil 460 kettles for a good old cuppa and charge up to 3,066 mobile phones so that annoyed fans can tweet at the ref about unfair moves… “I mean, Henry Slade must have been offside for England’s third try against Ireland. Right?”
Rob Milloy, Opus Energy Sales Director commented: “While we don’t know the result of the match, one thing we can guarantee is that the sheer power on the pitch this weekend is going to be highly impressive. As a sponsor of the Wales vs England match on Saturday 23rd February at The Principality Stadium, and a supplier to businesses in the area, we couldn’t resist working out what our guys will be putting out on the pitch, and seeing what this translates to in terms of energy consumption by the fans.”
Milloy concluded, “We felt tired just doing the calculations, so we have the utmost respect for the Six Nations players and their energetic feats. We’ve got teams in both Wales and England, so now we just need to decide who to support…”
46kWh is the equivalent of:
Amazon Alexa responding to 11,500 questions
Boiling 460 kettles
Charging 3,066 mobile phones
Washing 20 loads of rugby kit
OPRO sign England star as rugby brand ambassador
www.opromouthguards.com
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
OPRO, the world’s largest manufacturer of the most technically advanced mouthguard, today announced the signing of England star and World Cup 2014 winner, Vicky Fleetwood as one of their brand ambassadors.
OPRO have an extensive network of hundreds of schools up and down the country which, as part of the partnership, Vicky will be able to visit in an effort to inspire the next generation to take up sport. Vicky will also work alongside OPRO to help promote the importance and benefits of wearing a mouthguard and safety in sport.
OPRO have been involved with the sport of Rugby for over 21 years, which is reflected in their partnerships with over 40 professional rugby teams and associations including England Rugby, New Zealand Rugby and Australia Rugby. The partnership with Vicky further demonstrates OPRO’s dedication to engaging, educating and inspiring all those who love the game.
Vicky, who has an impressive 65 caps for England and who is also a qualified Personal Trainer, joins Great Britain Women’s Hockey Olympic gold medallist, Shona McCallin, double Taekwondo World Champion, Bianca Walkden and British Karate world champion, Jordan Thomas, as an OPRO ambassador.
“I’m really excited to be on board with OPRO”, said Vicky. “I’ve been wearing their mouthguards for years, so it really was a no brainer when the opportunity came for me to work with them in a more official capacity.
“Anyone who plays contact sport knows the importance of having a mouthguard that fits perfectly, is comfortable but also provides the very best protection. That’s what I have every time I wear my OPRO mouthguard and it’s great to be on board with them, especially during an exciting 2019 with the men’s World Cup in September which will see many of the players and teams wearing their own OPRO mouthguards!”
OPRO Chief Executive Officer David Allen said: “Vicky has been a pleasure to work with so far and we are all looking forward to growing our relationship. She is a very passionate person, particularly when it comes to sport, fitness and nutrition, which resonates with us on many levels.
“Vicky has already achieved so much in her career and we are delighted to be able to support her on her journey.”
For more information visit www.opromouthguards.com
THE VINTAGE RUGBY LEAGUE COLLECTION
FROM ELLIS RUGBY
GREAT BRITAIN WHEELCHAIR RUGBY ANNOUNCE LINE UP FOR THE RETURN OF KING POWER QUAD NATIONS TOURNAMENT
Following the huge success of the inaugural King Power Quad Nations tournament in 2018, which saw over 5000 supporters watch Paralympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medallist teams from around the globe compete in Leicester, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby have announced their players for the 2019 tournament in a line up which includes athletes who have previously represented their country in the Paralympic Games.
Described by spectators and sports commentators as brutal, the supercharged tournament will be held at Leicester’s Morningside Arena between Friday 1st March and Sunday 3rd March 2019, bringing together three incredible days of the world’s best ‘Murderball’ teams for this intense, elite-standard competition. Competing, Great Britain will be up against Japan, who won the Gold medal at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships held in Sydney this summer; Canada who is currently ranked 4th in the world and France ranked 7th.
Representing Great Britain will be three Leicester Tigers players; Gavin Walker, Jamie Stead and Leicester University student, Nick Cummins along with a surprise selection: Kylie Grimes. Kylie last played international wheelchair rugby in 2012 and returns to the game following a three-year spell
with British Athletics. As an experienced low point player Kylie provides the coach with more opportunities to use high pointers Aaron Phipps and Stuart Robinson.
The 2019 Great Britain King Power Quad Nations Line up is:
Kylie Grimes 0.5(F)
Jonathan Coggan 0.5
Ryan Cowling 1.0
Nicholas Cummins 1.5
Gavin Walker (Vice Captain) 2.0
Chris Ryan (Captain) 2.0
Jamie Stead 2.5
James Roberts 3.0
Aaron Phipps 3.5
Stuart Robinson 3.5
The three-day tournament marks an important performance opportunity for Great Britain ahead of the 2019 European Championships in Denmark where Team GB will defend their title, and ahead of the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge which will be played alongside the Rugby World Cup in Tokyo in October and involve the top eight teams in the world.
Fast paced and violent, players compete in specially-designed, manual wheelchairs and must meet a minimum disability criterion, classifiable under the sport classification rules. All competing athletes were either born with physical disabilities, or have suffered illness which has affected their mobility, or else experienced life-changing injuries through accidents, including those serving in the armed forces.
Head Coach Paul Shaw said, ‘As always it has been a difficult selection and we have had to leave out some strong and experienced athletes but it’s good to have competition for places and to be able to try some new lines. We have a really good competition programme this year which includes defending our European title in the summer, so we want to get off to a strong start’.
David Pond, Chief Executive Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby comments, “I’m really excited to be returning to Leicester for this tournament which again sees us play some of the top teams in the world, including Japan, recently crowned as World Champions. I like the selection and it’s good to see a female athlete earn a place in the squad. Kylie is proof that if you are good enough then being female is no barrier to making this team. As always I am humbled by the support we are getting from our sponsor King Power and from the many businesses and local people in the city.”
The King Power Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations tournament will take place 1st – 3rd March 2019 at the Morningside Arena with daytime and evening sessions over three days. Family tickets and concessions for Schools and Students will also be available.
For more details visit www.wrquadnations.com
GIVE ALDI’S NEW SIX NATIONS CLOTHING RANGE A ‘TRY’
Take advantage of Aldi’s officially licensed* range this month and kick off match-day celebrations kitted out with the supermarket’s range of high-quality clothing and accessories. The range is available to pre-order online from 27th January and in stores from 31st January, just in time for the tournament, so don’t let it ‘pass’ you by.
This Rugby Rain Jacket (£19.99) is a grand slam style essential for any rugby fan this season. English, Scottish and Welsh fans will love this Aldi exclusive, which is shower-resistant, practical and is designed with each team logo. Available in sizes medium to XXL, true fans will need to be quick to snap this up to avoid the scrum**.
Cheer on the team in comfort and style with Aldi’s Rugby Fleece (£12.99) – specially made from 100% polyester micro fleece and complete with quarter-length zip and embroidered logo. Layer up with this 100% cotton Rugby Long Sleeved Top** (£12.99), featuring a classic collar for men and V-neck design for ladies – available in sizes small to large for women, and from medium to XXL for men.
Whether it’s pitch-side or at the pub, supporters can keep warm and cosy during the match with Aldi’s Rugby Hoody (£14.99), made from 100% cotton, which features perfectly-placed kangaroo pockets to keep hands toasty and a hood for when the weather isn’t playing ball.
Heads up! Complete the look and show team support with Aldi’s Rugby Beanie (£4.99), which is embellished with each team’s crest.
Aldi’s Six Nations range is available to pre-order online from 27th January and in stores from 31st January, whilst stock lasts.
BUYER
CODE
PRODUCT
PRICE
LS
10646
RUGBY RAIN JACKET
£19.99
LS
10652
RUGBY HOODY
£14.99
LS
10665
RUGBY LONG SLEEVED TOP
£12.99
LS
10672
RUGBY FLEECE
£12.99
LS
10636
RUGBY BEANIE
£4.99
*RFU licensed for England & Wales only. Scottish team products not officially licensed
**Available in England & Scotland designs only.
***Ireland design available online only outside of Ireland.
The 2 Hour Winners Mindset Call
This call is designed to help every athlete and high performer unleash
the winner within. The physical work you do away from the pitch benefits
you in competition. That’s something that’s becoming more and more well
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inner game of touch rugby and how your mind can amplify your
performance. Your emotional state can make all the difference between
winning and losing the game.
We know that winning isn’t just an outside game, but an inside one too;
how many times are you just not “in the right place” and still wanting
to perform at your best?
When you’re an athlete, the slight improvement can make a big difference
in competition. The difference between winning and losing is less then
1%, so, if that means making sure you “get your mind right” before you
compete or practice, it’s worth it if it means you stand a better chance
of winning. Being in a “good mood” or more focused can mean you move
faster, go for longer and work harder than you would otherwise do….
and that can make a BIG difference in your performance!
That’s where this call comes in. We spend time creating your mindset
routines, rituals and practices that can not only treat negative
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If you’re looking to amplify the results that you get with your training
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F: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715717692029337/
W: www.michaelmcdonnellmastery.com
T: https://twitter.com/M_McDonnell2
Game on: Here’s how you can get paid £500 to attend the Six Nations with a mate
With the Guinness Six Nations due to begin in just a few weeks time, MatchPint is kicking off the build-up with a once in a lifetime opportunity for one knowledgeable sports fan.
Sports pub finder app, MatchPint, is searching for the ultimate Guinness Six Nations fan to challenge on rugby legend, Will Greenwood in an exclusive one-on-one battle that will last for the duration of the tournament and is playable via its new Guinness Pint Predictor game. The chosen candidate will be paid £500 for their time, plus receive TWO free tournament tickets to watch one of the live games.
Listed exclusively on community marketplace Airtasker.co.uk, fans can apply for the role here, by sharing what makes them the savviest Guinness Six Nations fan around (and how confident they are in challenging a rugby legend).
The Pint Predictor game will require the chosen candidate to set their predictions for each game in the Six Nations and try to beat Will for the ultimate bragging rights.
Will Greenwood, can’t wait to pit his wits against the smartest rugby fan around:
“I like to think I know my stuff on the rugby pitch but time will tell when I pitch myself against the ultimate Guinness Six Nations fan”, said Rugby World Cup winner Greenwood.
“Every fan likes to think they’re the most knowledgeable and skilful when it comes to calling the outcome of games, but the new Guinness Pint Predictor, available to play on MatchPint, puts those arguments to bed once and for all.”
Oli, Head of Fans at MatchPint adds:
“The Guinness Six Nations is a huge annual sporting event that captivates the entire UK. This year we wanted to bring something new to the table with the ultimate game for the country’s biggest rugby fans, the Guinness Pint Predictor.
“However, in order for this to be the best it can be, we need to enlist the help of a true rugby super fan – to give us some feedback on our new game…and have a lot of fun along the way.
“Fans will get to challenge rugby legend Will Greenwood, and will be paid £500 for their precious time while getting two tickets for one of the live games – we hope to give the winning candidate an incredible sporting experience, all in exchange for some honest feedback.”
Australian start-up Airtasker, expanded into the UK early last year. It is a community platform website and app that connects people and businesses with members of the local community who are able to complete tasks to earn additional money.
An evolution of the local noticeboard, Airtasker leverages technology to help members of the community come together in a trusted environment to create working opportunities. Jobs posts range from cleaning homes, making deliveries and dog walking – to the more unusual such as, baking birthday cakes, queuing for festival tickets and writing lyrics for a jingle.
The notice from MatchPint has been posted on Airtasker detailing the following job description:
I’m Oli – Head of Fans at MatchPint.
Are you the ultimate sports nut, the biggest rugby fan and reckon you’re the most knowledgeable? Then we’ve got the dream task for you.
Here at MatchPint, we are searching for the ultimate Guinness Six Nations rugby fan to go head-to-head and challenge a legend, Will Greenwood, on our new Guinness Pint Predictor app. Oh and did I mention, you’ll get paid £500 for your time, plus TWO tickets to a live game during the tournament?
What is the Guinness Pint Predictor?
We’ve designed the Pint Predictor to be the ultimate way for rugby fans to prove that they know the most when it comes to the Guinness Six Nations tournament.
During every round of the tournament, you can play the Pint Predictor to predict the outcome for each of the games. Make your call on the winner, and by how many points. If you’re spot on, you’ll win a Guinness to enjoy there and then. Get within 7 points of the final result and you unlock a free pint of Guinness to claim the following week.
What’s involved in this task?
For this task, we want to find the most knowledgeable and passionate rugby fan to take on Will Greenwood in a super exclusive one-on-one league, for the duration of the Guinness Six Nations tournament.
You will need to set your predictions on each game in the app to try to beat Will for the ultimate bragging rights, outsmarting a Rugby World Cup winner and once the task is complete, you’ll be required to answer a 5-minute feedback survey about your experience on the app.
If this task sounds perfect for you, we want to know why. Click “Make an offer” and tell us what makes you the savviest rugby fan around, and how confident you are in challenging rugby legend, Will Greenwood.
Task Info:
You will be paid £500 to play the Guinness Pint Predictor app during the tournament and take on Will Greenwood in a ‘One on One’ league.
Fill in a 5-minute survey to provide feedback on the app experience.
Set your predictions for each game of each round from the 1st Feb – 16th March.
Receive two free tickets to a live game to watch your predictions play out live
The Rugby Six Nations at Bounce
Only six Nations but Unlimited Beer
January 2019 – What’s the best thing about watching the rugby? Easy – getting a bit boozed on the weekend with your mates then going outside and realising it’s still daytime. The worst thing? Waiting ages for another drink as your mate, once again, skilfully dodges getting their round in. Classic.
So, at Bounce Old Street for the Six Nations, we’re giving you more of the stuff you do like and less of the stuff you don’t, giving you unlimited beer and pizza, for two hours for just £30pp!
Gather together your girls, your boys, your whoever and head to Bounce, Old Street, settle yourself down in our Rugby room and watch the match hiding behind your pint, as your team tries to throw it all away in the 79th minute. And afterwards, once your heart rate has reduced to safe-ish levels, capitalise on your winning streak and boss a game of Ping Pong.
WHAT YOU’RE GETTING:
2hrs unlimited beer and pizza
Rugby on a Widescreen TV
A seat if you want it
A try or two of Ping Pong
WHAT YOU’RE NOT GETTING:
A guaranteed victory for your team
For more info and to buy tickets: http://bouncepingpong.com/whats-on
The Rugby Six Nations at Bounce
Location: Bounce, Old Street
Ticket price: £35pp
Doors: Times will vary. Please check website.
About Bounce
Bounce, The Home of Ping Pong, is the all-inclusive social entertainment experience which combines a high energy fun activity with a premium night out.
Launched in 2012, Bounce was founded by Adam Breeden, the brains behind entertainment brand, Social Entertainment Ventures, and Dov Penzik, an entrepreneur and former competitive table tennis player. Now boasting two venues, Bounce Farringdon is the flagship whilst Bounce Old Street, launched 2 years ago, has quickly become the go to venue for those working in and visiting Shoreditch.
Best played in groups of 6 or more, each venue also hosts corporate events for up to 500 party people in the main space and 100 in each private room.
Bounce also has skilled ‘Games Gurus’ who are hand-picked comedians, actors and former Ping Pong professionals who inject amazing fun into the gaming with their witty banter, fun personalities and table tennis commentary. Bounce also has Wonderball ™ tables, an interactive immersive activity using state of the art projection mapping to digitise the game of Ping Pong.
Aside from offering the chance to play Ping Pong with friends in a fun and unique setting, Bounce provides an extensive food and drink menu, curated cocktails and designer décor by Russell Sage.
For more information about Bounce or to make a booking, visit the www.bouncepingpong.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
HARLEQUINS STARS JOINED RUGBY FANS FOR THE ULTIMATE SCRUM TO TACKLE SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE SPORTING FINAL MOMENTS OVER A COLD PINT
Tim Visser, Nathan Earle and Mat Luamanu joined rugby fans to chat about the top unforgettable sporting moments over a pint of Greene King IPA
With a big year of international rugby ahead of us in 2019 kicking off next week Harlequins players Tim Visser, Nathan Earle and Mat Luamanu were joined by rugby fans at The George pub in Twickenham to share their favourite against-all-odds sporting final moments.
The lucky Harlequins fans enjoyed a pint and chatted over their predictions with the players who know the game the best. Tim, Nathan and Mat tackled some of their top sporting final moments as they officially launched Greene King IPA’s rugby competition, Last Drop Out.
Tim Visser from the Harlequins says “As professional sports people, we love a bit of post-match analysis and It’s been great to share the excitement for the upcoming internationals with fans that are as passionate about the game as we are. It’s been such a laugh being here with Greene King sharing some of our favourite sporting moments too. We might not agree amongst ourselves over the best sporting moment ever, but the nation has been pretty decisive.”
Sport fans across the UK have voted on Greene King IPA’s twitter for their favourite last gasp sporting moment, and the winner is Jonny Wilkinson’s drop kick goal to win the 2003 World Cup. The top three from the Twitter poll were:
Jonny Wilkinson’s drop kick goal to win the 2003 World Cup
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s goal against Bayern Munich to win the 1999 Champions League
England beat Australia by 2 runs to win the 2nd Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2005
Greene King IPA’s Last Drop Out competition aims to celebrate the last drop of IPA in each barrel just as punters debate their favourite last moment of the game sporting achievement of all time.
Nathan Earle added: “There are so many great contenders for the nation’s favourite last gasp sporting moment but I’m not surprised Jonny’s Wilkinson’s 2003 drop goal won. It’s an iconic moment in sporting history and just goes to show that anything can happen in sport right up until the last whistle. A bit like The Last Drop Out, the final pint of Greene King IPA could be the one that brings the greatest reward.”
The Last Drop Out competition, in association with Greene King, gives rugby fans across the UK a chance to win over 9,000 prizes. The competition runs in participating pubs from the 25th January to 31st March and the drinker whose pint of Greene King IPA is being pulled when the barrel runs out wins the golden ticket. Prizes range from a free pint of Greene King IPA, to rugby merchandise, and a grand prize of a holiday to Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Six Nations Rugby 2019 at The Chester Residence, Edinburgh
Six Nations rugby returns next month – and Scotland are getting their 2019 campaign underway with a home tie against Italy. The Chester Residence’s five-star apartments are located within a stone’s throw of the action at Murrayfield and make an ideal base for rugby fans visiting the capital.
The elegant apartments are a 20-minute walk from Scotland’s national rugby stadium and, with some Residences equivalent to the size of a typical UK three-bedroom home, offer a huge amount of space for family groups and friends.
Based in Edinburgh’s upmarket New Town, the Residences offer the convenience of a five-star hotel with the perks of serviced apartments. In addition to parish church proportions, the apartments come equipped with luxurious fittings and fixtures, well-appointed kitchens and huge television screens for rugby fans to – hopefully – watch re-runs of a Scotland victory.
There is still limited availability at The Chester Residence for Scotland’s opening match on February 2, and for other home matches against Ireland on February 9 and Wales on March 9.
Apartments for Six Nations weekends start from £184 and can be booked at www.chester-residence.com
National Express is running direct travel coach services to Six Nations rugby matches at Twickenham Stadium and Principality Stadium in 2019.
Services are scheduled to arrive in plenty of time to find your seat before kick-off, and will be waiting to take you home once the game is over.
A direct service is available to Twickenham Stadium from Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton Services, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, Worcester, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Bournemouth, Winchester, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Fareham and Southampton for:
England v Italy – 9 March 2019 [KO: 16:45]
England v Scotland – 16 March 2019 [KO: 17:00]
For further information and to book tickets visit www.nationalexpress.com
The Guinness Lounge at Greenwood: An Exciting Six Nations Partnership
The Six Nations is back on our screens (1st February – 19th March), and Greenwood in Victoria will be bringing rugby fans closer to the action than ever before.
Teaming up with the Championship’s headline sponsor, the premium sports bar will be launching the official Guinness Six Nations Lounge in London – screening all the Six Nations matches in style. The Sports Lounge has been transformed to create an unparalleled ‘stadium atmosphere’ that transports you to the touchline. Watching rugby is thirsty work, so to soak up the Irish Champagne, a specially curated Guinness menu will be available throughout the tournament: hearty black pudding croquettes, onion rings with Guinness-infused beer-batter, and Scotch egg with Guinness HP sauce.
The exclusive ‘Best Seat in the House’ VIP area comes complete with a Guinness tap and dedicated bartender and the chance to watch the games alongside rugby legends. In addition, Greenwood is launching a series of exclusive lunches hosted by ex-England international and rugby pundit, Andy Goode – ‘Goodey’s Guinness Lunches’.
‘BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE’ The ‘Best Seat in the House’ offers rugby fans the experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the match in front of a crystal-clear HD screen, plush sofas and a Guinness tap with your own personal bartender, to ensure you are never without a pint of the black stuff! Rugby legends are also expected to join fans who book this area throughout the tournament, to watch the games in the best seat in the house. To book visit www.greenwoodlondon.com/sixnations (seats 15 people, minimum spend applies*).
RUGBY LEGEND LUNCHES: ‘Goodey’s Guinness Lunches’ If match-play just isn’t enough to get you that rugby fix, Greenwood will be launching a series of exclusive lunches hosted by Andy Goode, as he invites legends of the game to sit down over a three-course meal, an open Guinness bar* and talk old war stories. Kicking off the series is Stephen Ferris, of Ireland and Lions fame, followed by Wales and Lions legend, Andy Powell and then larger-than-life former Scotland International, Jim Hamilton. They’ll be reviewing games gone by, and discussing upcoming fixtures before finishing up with an audience Q&A. Tickets are priced at £50pp, book at www.greenwoodlondon.com/sixnations.
‘Goodey’s Guinness Lunches’ Thursday 7th Feb, 1pm – 4pm: Andy Goode and Stephen Ferris Wednesday 20th Feb, 1pm – 4pm: Andy Goode and Andy Powell Thursday 14th March, 1pm – 4pm: Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton
Don your colours, grab a pint and cheer your boys on to victory at the London’s leading premium sports bar, Greenwood.
Greenwood, 170 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5LB www.greenwoodlondon.com @GreenwoodLDN
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