Sunday Social: Borg technology, piano man and downing beers – planetrugby.com

It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.
Andrew Forde, who runs a popular YouTube compilations channel, shared this suggestion from an American viewer, who believes that rugby should no longer use the word ‘try’ for a five-pointer but rather use the word ‘succeeds’.
This made me chuckle. This American has identified the real crucial problems facing rugby and might well be the one to make it great again. pic.twitter.com/Ny29LGm7J5
— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) January 3, 2023

An awesome blast from the past for Jason Leonard, who relives England’s World Cup triumph in 2003 through preserved newspapers. Such a lovely gift and a welcome trip down memory lane.
Great present from the missus, a set of untouched newspapers from the two days after our @RugbyWorldCup @EnglandRugby Win in 2003.
Never saw a single one at the time as wasn’t capable of actual reading for a good month after the Final!
Interested to see what I missed! pic.twitter.com/PaDdUIQNcI
— Jason Leonard (@JasonLeonard114) January 7, 2023

Leinster dug into the community chest and came up with a get-out-of-jail-free card in their United Rugby Championship clash with Ospreys. The Irish province struggled to contain the Welsh outfit’s scrum and trailed 10-0 until the 16th minute. They managed to level the scores by half-time before the likes of Ross Byrne, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier came off the bench to steer them to a 24-19 victory.
Leinster get it done. pic.twitter.com/aHF7jkSmK1
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) January 7, 2023

Like a cement truck without a reverse gear. It is not often you see a Leinster scrum being driven back like that. Outstanding from Ospreys.
NICKY SMITH!!! 😤
Sent Leinster to next semester.
#OSPvLEI pic.twitter.com/V2dLN1GVhb
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) January 7, 2023

Staying with Leinster, and Ireland, has the IRFU’s secret tactic to prolong Johnny Sexton’s career been leaked? Borg technology is certainly believable, considering the performances he produces at the age of 37. World-class.
I see that the next step in prolonging Johnny's career by implanting him with Borg technology has gone well. #Jof10 pic.twitter.com/mZk2sJPwOX
— @RugbyKino@mastodon.ie (@RugbyKino) January 4, 2023

Lewis Ludlam is renowned for enforcing on the rugby pitch, but this time it was Darth Vader who used the force on him. Surely the only explanation for that lateral height?
pic.twitter.com/yTCVL30f1I
— Lewis Wesley Ludlam (@LewisLudlam) January 3, 2023

Absolute scenes in the changing rooms as Newcastle Falcons celebrate snapping a four-year winless run against defending Premiership champions Leicester Tigers, courtesy of a Mateo Carreras hat-trick.
🎶 OOOOH, ME LADS… pic.twitter.com/Md72uxBUop
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) January 7, 2023

Swiss army knives or just extremely talented players? A quick look back at some of the best moments where players played out of position at the Rugby World Cup, including Victor Vito running a superb line off the wing to score.
Flexibility on 🎯
When a switch on the pitch still brings the same touch of class
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) January 4, 2023

Meanwhile in France, Dillyn Leyds is living his best life by chugging a beer after La Rochelle snapped an eight-game losing streak against French giants Toulouse. The Springbok has been sublime in France and showed his promise again on the weekend.
Cette belle victoire du @staderochelais contre le @StadeToulousain 30 vs 7 valait bien un petit remontant pour nos 💛🖤🍺
Un sacré match ! 👍🏻👏🏻🤩🥰#SRST #TOP14 #FievreSR #ChezMarcel #LaRochelle pic.twitter.com/HpE3sWrwRa
— Maryline Simoné (@marylinesimone) January 7, 2023

From showing versatility on the pitch, to a soft touch off it. Turns out that when Rohan Janse van Rensburg isn’t flattening opposition defenders and scoring tries for the Sharks, he is showing off his musical talents.
The multitalented Rohan Janse Van Rensburg showing off his musical skills 🎹#FearTheFin pic.twitter.com/cnfsKx5hSa
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) January 5, 2023

On a completely different note, when it comes to sporting lineage in New Zealand, many fans would point to all three Barrett brothers playing for the All Blacks. However, the Whitelocks may just have the Barretts beat.
Sam Whitelock appeared on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast recently and provided a full rundown of his family’s links to the All Blacks and sport in New Zealand.
Sam Whitelock's sporting lineage is 🤯
Joining us for our first show of 2023 is the All Blacks captain himself! 🇳🇿
From form to fitness, head to your favourite streaming platform to see what Sam had to say on what lies behind, and the massive year of rugby ahead! 🔊📺#rugby pic.twitter.com/rS7PFlXlLz
— The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) January 4, 2023

The DRAMA! Smash and grab from Benetton. Such little time left, one point behind and a player down. Up stepped Rhyno Smith for a match-winning penalty and had to use the backboard to sink it. A fantastic win against Ulster.
Retweet this post if you enjoyed Rhyno Smith’s Match-Winning 🤩#BKTURC #URC | #BENvULS | @BenettonRugby pic.twitter.com/60M0TaDzoq
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 7, 2023

READ MORE: England: Kevin Sinfield tasked with challenging Steve Borthwick
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