Meet the players - Autumn Internationals Night

[Hans Indaruck]

A good wee night last night @ HQ - well done once again to URSC [however - minor grouch - it would be nice to start on time and have had the sound system checked out in advance]. Restart, Hendo, Ruan, Fat Nick and VDM all in attendance and all in good form + a presentation to 1F for which he seemed genuinely touched.

A few interesting points from the Q&A and subsequent discussion of which the following is a flavour:

- the players camp is positive and whilst disappointed with the SDC results and injuries are not downbeat.
- Ruan's injury is taking longer to heal than expected - he does not expect to be involved in the first two Bok's AI matches.
- Hendo's recovery going well - the op was a success and whilst the predicted time back on pitch is officially end Jan 15 - he is hopeful to shave at least 4 weeks off that. Hope he also shaves off his horrendous beard and hippy hair! [FNW said he looked like he was practicing to be a homeless person!!]
-Hendo says Olding is fine - no ill effects from the kick to his head - and he has joined the Ireland camp as planned.
- Restart was totally unaware of this moniker! He now says he has extra pressure not to drop the next one!
- Ruan hates all referees with a passion!
- Ruan's latest haircut looks as if he has been supporting Workshops for the Blind (you know - a finger in each ear and work their way around in Braille!!) - No 1 cut down to the wood!
- Roger says Jihad is Ireland's next 13!! When asked if he had been told to say that - he quickly added - "or that Connacht bloke err .. Henshaw!"
- none of the panel thought there was much in D Hopley's comments about potential harm to player welfare because of the 'punishing playing schedules' - Ruan says the IRFU is excellent at looking after players.
- Deccie is big into meditation and painting (Restart did not make it clear if this was on or off the pitch!)
-Franco says he has settled in well - moving into his house next month - he sees no reason for him to take a break ["I want to play as much a I can"] and he will be playing throughout the Xmas period.

There was much else which others may remember - all in all a very entertaining evening - much humour with Restart and FNW the real jokers in the pack.

[big mervyn]

Thanks for the update. I just can't do Tuesdays this year. Sounds like the party line was well and truly toed.

Restart was probably yer best chance of a candid response.

[Deraless]

Roger was also totally unaware Tommy took a bang on the heed v Toulon. And did he not say Deccie liked to meditate sitting cross-legged on the bathroom floor with the steam on and called him a looper lol. Plus he said the refs in the English leagues were better and more approacable generally than Pro12 (tho not Barnes).

Nick and Franco's fave ref is Joubert. Ruan said none! Hendie said Poite. Roger Poite or Nigel.

If FNW wasn't a rugby player he would like to be a Ninja.

[big mervyn]

If FNW wasn't a rugby player he would like to be a Ninja.

It was a detective last year.

[Deraless]

Yeah but he added he could be a Ninja Detective lol