The weekend featured thrills and spills aplenty on the return to domestic action following the conclusion of another memorable Six Nations Championship. From one-sided victories to surprising results and on to TMO controversy, the latest round of fixtures just about had it all, as fans and punters assessing the best bettingoffers UK settled down to take in the action.
Whilst the TMO incident in the Saracens vs Harlequins game will quite rightly prompt serious debate, the weekend also provided a number of more light-hearted moments, with one incident in the Dragons vs Bulls United Rugby Championship game tickling the funny bones of Rugby fans.
Rhodri the Red Flag to Two Bulls
Dragons’ scrum-half Rhodri Williams displayed his bravery – and dubious common sense – in his team’s loss to the Bulls by engaging in a confrontation with not one but two imposing props, and rather than being trampled, arguably came out on top in the argument.
Finding himself on the wrong side of the scoreline at Rodney Parade, the Wales international set about placing himself on what would appear to be the wrong end of a scrap. With the Dragons struggling to gain control, the first half had been peppered with incidents and finally boiled over just before the break.
As the clock ticked down at the end of the initial 40 minutes, with the Bulls leading 10-3, a skirmish erupted involving multiple players from both teams seemingly out of nowhere. Upon review, it became evident that Williams instigated the altercation, reacting to what appeared to be an arm around his neck from visiting loosehead Gerhard Steenekamp.
Fighting Outside of His Weight Class
Standing at a relatively compact 5ft 9in and weighing in at 12st11lb, the 30-year-old scrum half positioned himself to impede a surge from the South African side. However, after Steenekamp made contact, Williams expressed his disapproval with a shove to the back, causing the 6ft 3in, 20-stone prop to stagger forward, but it was clear that the altercation was far from over.
Despite the considerable height and weight disadvantage, Williams remained undaunted in the face of the irate titans, as Steenekamp and his front-row partner Wilco Louw – also a towering figure approaching 20 stone – approached him and grabbed his shirt. Unfazed, Williams seized one in each hand before players from both sides poured in to join the melee.
A scuffle ensued, during which Williams more than held his own, while referee Eoghan Cross blew his whistle and tried valiantly to restore order.
No More than a Stern Talking to From Cross
Cross refrained from issuing any penalties but gave all three players a stern warning before overturning a penalty in the Dragons’ favour. Addressing Williams, Steenekamp, Louw, and captains Marcell Coetzee and Steff Hughes, Cross admonished, “You [Williams] instigated the confrontation, and your [Steenekamp] response was excessive.”
He then cautioned the captains, “This is the second incident, gentlemen. The match has been played in good spirits. We cannot tolerate such behaviour. It’s your responsibility to control your players. Any further incidents will result in players leaving the pitch.”
Despite the Dragons’ eventual 31-10 defeat, leaving them at the bottom of the URC table, fans found solace in Williams’ bravery. A clip of the incident garnered over 110,000 views, with one viewer commenting, “Starting on two SA props and earning a penalty for their reaction. High risk, high reward.”
“Scrum-halves, you’ve got to love them,” quipped another, while a third hailed it as “Top class mouthy scrum-halfing.” with another summarizing the scene as, “This is every scrum half ever, including in the pub.”
