Baa Baa black sheep have you any wool...No sir you F**king cheat!

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Even those who refer to our great sport as “Egg Chasing” will admit when pressed that they both respect and to a certain extent envy how Rugby Union’s values of the past have remained prominent despite the evolution of the professional game.

This Saturday and last provide the perfect examples of these values and traditions. Let us rewind to Twickenham last Saturday, when with half time just a kick away Dylan Hartley took exception to Wayne Barnes’ decision to award a scrum penalty to the Tigers. Hartley renowned for his unforgiving competitive edge that has too often left him in more than spot of bother had once again crossed the line between tenacity and the unacceptable. In the heat of the Aviva Premiership’s showcase match Hartley lost control for a split second and in doing so not only cost his Saints team their shot at the title but also prematurely ended his season, when he would have had a 3 way battle royal for the Lions number 2 jersey firmly on his agenda. Any Match of the Day viewer with a remote ability to lip read will see players using profanity far worse than Hartley directed towards Barnes on Saturday, on a regular basis. The difference being such conduct is a taboo in Rugby whereas Messrs Rooney and the like have fast caused it to become the norm in football. Although Barnes’ decision to send the controversial Saints hooker from the field and into an eleven week lull served to end the showpiece game as a contest it reinforced that no game or individual is bigger than certain principles that the global Rugby community holds dear. As for Hartley himself it is perhaps ironic that the aggression that would have no doubt appealed to Warren Gatland when picking his initial squad has ended up costing him a shot at what many deem the biggest honour in the game.

Hartley’s Lions replacement Rory Best will take a seat in the stand this Saturday as the Rugby world centres in on Causeway Bay Stadium, Hong Kong for the is the British and Irish Lions v The Barbarians. This will be the first time the cream of Britain and Ireland has come up against the BaaBaas since 1977 with the Lions winning the day on that occasion by 23-17. 

As a fan there is perhaps no more appealing prospect than watching two of the most iconic sides in World rugby coming together in a town where Rugby and Partying go hand in hand. However the decision of the Barbarians players to forego a tradition of their own by imposing a booze ban on themselves would suggest that for those preparing to take the field on Saturday this is no exhibition match. This proud and talented flock of baabaa's will be determined to right the wrongs from HQ last Sunday where an impressive English side ran home comfortable winners. Barbarians victories on the international stage are somewhat rare, and the conservative selection of Yachvili and Nick Evans as opposed to former Ospreys team mates Hook and Fotuali’i at half back is indicative of the fact that this is a Barbarians team firmly set on rocking the Lions ship en route to Australia. Although fear not, with the naturally flamboyant Laulala, Rocokoco and Parisse involved the barbarian spirit will not be suppressed.


Whatever the result this will be a tremendous spectacle and great advert for rugby’s ability to combine heritage with the entertainment factor that drives the commercial viability of such fixtures. 

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