Other rugby news in brief.

Roberts has a ball on Ollie's farm

AN INTEGRAL part of any Lions tour is for the players to form a happy, cohesive group. The 2009 class did this better than most.

However, there’s bonding and then there’s bonding as Welsh centre Jamie Roberts discovered. When asked recently for his most memorable tour moment he recalled being invited by former Springbok and Leinster prop Ollie le Roux to go shooting on the latter’s farm.

Roberts explained: “It is a tradition that after your first Springbok kill you have to cut its throat and rub warm blood on your face. Then if it is a male, you eat a testicle and if it’s female you take a chunk of its liver. Unfortunately I shot a male and well, it was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever done.

“I was almost sick as I was eating it; really pretty horrific.”

Armagh All-Ireland trainer signs as skills coach with London Wasps

LONDON WASPS’ new look coaching team under the baton of director of rugby Tony Hanks includes former England prop Trevor Woodman (forwards’ coach) and one time Armagh Gaelic football fitness trainer John McCloskey.

Shaun Edwards is head coach.

McCloskey worked under Joe Kernan when Armagh won the All-Ireland football title in 2002 and was involved the following season when they lost in the decider to Tyrone.

The Ulsterman enjoyed some time working with Wasps last season on a consultancy basis but has signed a two-year contract to become skills coach at the London club.

McCloskey admitted: “At Armagh we considered Wasps as role models because of their success, professionalism, family spirit and their never-say-day attitude on the pitch.

“When the opportunity came up to join a coaching team with the likes of Tony Hanks and Shaun Edwards, it was a great privilege and an opportunity too good to turn down.

“Ultimately the game of rugby comes down to decision making and execution of skill and through this role I hope that we can ensure that that execution is at its highest level.

“For me this is a hugely exciting challenge and one which I am delighted to take on.”

Hanks enthused: “The addition of John to our set-up sees the introduction of a new role dedicated to the strengthening and development of our players’ core skills.

“To have someone solely focused in this area we show a commitment to long term development and in John we have a man with a proven coaching ability and a great record in Gaelic sport.

“His strengths around handling, aerial skills and kicking are key aspects of the modern game and I think that the appointment will be of great benefit to our squad across the board.”

Dunne's skills still stand out

WATCHING OLD Belvedere account for UCD in a Leinster Senior League match last Saturday at Anglesea Road it was good to see Andy Dunne has lost none of his skill set.

The former Leinster, Harlequins and Connacht outhalf has suffered more than any one player should with a litany of injuries that dogged his career in the professional ranks but appears not to have lost any enthusiasm for the game.

He kicked beautifully in steering his team to a comprehensive victory and made several trademark breaks, one in particular embellished with a wonderful reverse flick pass that paved the way for a try for the winners.

Stevens brews

ENGLAND AND Bath prop Matt Stevens is eight months into a two-year ban for taking cocaine but his days and nights are fully occupied thanks to a venture undertaken with front row buddy, hooker Lee Mears. The two have opened a coffee house in Bath, Jika Jika (a Zulu phrase for twisting or turning), while Stevens has also taken up Brazilian jujitsu and expects to have a few bouts in the near future.

Thomas may be headed for dock

IT WILL be interesting to note if the citing commissioner for Leinster’s game against the Scarlets at Pac y Scarlets last Saturday night decides to take any further action against Scarlets prop Rhys Thomas who dived head first into a ruck, an action that could have caused Shane Horgan serious injury.

The Leinster wing was fortunate that he picked up his head just as Thomas lunged with his, the Welsh player having just seconds earlier being guilty of a stamp in the same ruck.

Scottish referee Neil Paterson was no more than three feet away from the incident and amazingly elected to give Thomas just a yellow card: when the player’s actions warranted a straight red.

Harlequins were plunged into fresh controversy just 46 seconds into the new English Premiership season when lock forward George Robson was sent off for a suspected head butt at the start of Harlequins’ 26-15 defeat by Wasps at Twickenham.