CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Football, a game for gentlemen played by hooligans. Rugby, a game for hooligans played by gentlemen.

Football has often been described as the ‘Beautiful Game’ but yet it is Rugby players who are most widely known to be some of the nicest people you will ever meet. The big towering figures of Paul O’Connell, Chris Robshaw or Alun Wyn Jones can seem terrifying but yet they really are big softies off the pitch.

This week Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni, though lived up to his large and terrifying stature and was handed a fine of €10,000 and a 4 match ban (suspended) for his choice words after Toulons loss to Leicester Tigers earlier this month. After the game Castrogiovanni gave, not so much an interview, but a rant to the media about his old club.

Leicester Tigers coach, Richard Cockerill, laughed off his rant and even offered that in the future the two men could meet up and laugh about this whole situation. Unfortunately a disciplinary panel disagreed with this and thought a punishment was more fitting.

Castrogiovanni pleaded guilty and apologised for his remarks. His fine will be paid to a Leicester based charity and his suspended ban will not take effect until April 30^th 2016, although it can be brought forward if Castrogiovanni goes on another rant.

Is the ban to heavy? Is does the punishment fit the crime?

Respect is key to sportsmanship!

INJURED! HURT! OUT!

After grueling and tough autumn internationals the injury list is mounting up. Two injuries come to mind, the South African Jean De Villiers and Ireland's Chris Henry.

De Villiers will have to have reconstructive surgery on his knee, after a crunching tackle in the game against Wales on Saturday. While Henry has had an operation on his heart, as a result of a blood vessel in his brain was blocked. Both of these young men have had fantastic careers but both face a long and tough recovery back to the game. In time for the World Cup? Maybe not!

SO HOW DO WE AVOID BAD INJURIES?

Some injuries are unavoidable, big tackles happen and sometimes we are just unlucky. The best way to prepare for a game, and to rule out avoidable injuries, is to:

1)    Stretch – Before the game have a good warm up and ensure you have stretched well.

2)    Train – In training practice tackling but also being hit, falling correctly and safely can prevent many injuries.

3)    Safety – Make sure you have a gum shield in at all times and also wear any other IRB approved protective gear you have. E.g. Headguards, Shoulder pads etc…

WHAT TO DO WHEN WE ARE HURT?

Injuries are a part of the game, we cannot fully avoid them but we can learn how to do deal with them when they occur. Here are our top tips to recovery:

1)    TELL someone – Make sure you inform a coach as soon as your injured, do not try and play when you know your hurt.

2)    REST – This might seem simple, but many players rush back to the game before their bodies are ready, risking further injury.

3)    BUILD the muscle back – Give your body time to get back to its strength, muscles need time to heal and time to get strong again.

4)    LEARN from your injury – You may always have to be a little careful with your body after some injuries, make sure you learn how to play and train so to build your strength back and be cautious of recurring injuries.

If you do have an injury, or are requiring more/new protective gear we have a full range here at RugbyPlus just call in store or shop online.

But injuries are a part of the game, we all get covered in mud, blood and bruises.

Always play for a love of the game!