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| All you need to know about rugby | All you need to know about rugby |
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| By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine Rugby union fever is sweeping England ahead of the World Cup final in Paris on Saturday. But many who have been caught up in the fervour remain clueless about the game itself and the culture surrounding it. | By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine Rugby union fever is sweeping England ahead of the World Cup final in Paris on Saturday. But many who have been caught up in the fervour remain clueless about the game itself and the culture surrounding it. |
| Traditionally dismissed by footballers as egg-chasers, it's the rugby players who will have all eyes on them this weekend. An estimated 15 million on this side of the Channel are expected to watch England play South Africa in the World Cup final in Paris. | Traditionally dismissed by footballers as egg-chasers, it's the rugby players who will have all eyes on them this weekend. An estimated 15 million on this side of the Channel are expected to watch England play South Africa in the World Cup final in Paris. |
| Every so often a sport reaches out far beyond its normal fan base. But for many, rugby union is perplexing - arcane and, to some, elitist. The truth is it's not. So, from line-outs to player etiquette; fans' fashion to cauliflower ears, here the Magazine offers a crash course. | Every so often a sport reaches out far beyond its normal fan base. But for many, rugby union is perplexing - arcane and, to some, elitist. The truth is it's not. So, from line-outs to player etiquette; fans' fashion to cauliflower ears, here the Magazine offers a crash course. |
| BEHAVIOUR OF PLAYERS ETIQUETTE OF SUPPORTERS | BEHAVIOUR OF PLAYERS ETIQUETTE OF SUPPORTERS |
| SONGS & JOKES CAULIFLOWER EARS | SONGS & JOKES CAULIFLOWER EARS |
| KEY RULES | KEY RULES |
| The story goes that rugby was born in 1823 at Rugby School when William Webb Ellis disregarded the rules of football, took the ball in his arms and ran with it. It has evolved a long way since, into a very technical sport, but you only need to know the basics to enjoy a match. | The story goes that rugby was born in 1823 at Rugby School when William Webb Ellis disregarded the rules of football, took the ball in his arms and ran with it. It has evolved a long way since, into a very technical sport, but you only need to know the basics to enjoy a match. |
| The BBC's Sarah Campbell, a delicately-built rugby innocent, ventured on to the battlefield at a school in west London to find out. | The BBC's Sarah Campbell, a delicately-built rugby innocent, ventured on to the battlefield at a school in west London to find out. |
| There she bravely interrogated the hulking Craig Dowd, a former New Zealand All Black, 6ft 3ins (1.91m) tall and 18 stones (114kg), for answers, as revealed in the videos on the right. | There she bravely interrogated the hulking Craig Dowd, a former New Zealand All Black, 6ft 3ins (1.91m) tall and 18 stones (114kg), for answers, as revealed in the videos on the right. |
| BEHAVIOUR OF PLAYERS | BEHAVIOUR OF PLAYERS |
| Despite the physical, even brutal, exchanges on the pitch, the aggression is largely within the laws of the game. | Despite the physical, even brutal, exchanges on the pitch, the aggression is largely within the laws of the game. |
| Violence over, let's have a drinkThere is the odd scuffle and rugby had its own "Eric Cantona" moment when former Ireland international Trevor Brennan assaulted a fan and received a five-year ban. | Violence over, let's have a drinkThere is the odd scuffle and rugby had its own "Eric Cantona" moment when former Ireland international Trevor Brennan assaulted a fan and received a five-year ban. |
| But veteran footballer Jimmy Greaves says he is so impressed by rugby's spirit it has replaced football as his main sporting passion. | But veteran footballer Jimmy Greaves says he is so impressed by rugby's spirit it has replaced football as his main sporting passion. |
| Others have detected a cultural shift from football to rugby but some believe that has been overplayed. | Others have detected a cultural shift from football to rugby but some believe that has been overplayed. |
Key aspects to look out for in rugby include:
| Key aspects to look out for in rugby include:
|
| Jeff Probyn, who played in the 1991 final defeat to Australia, says rugby "teeters on the edge of violence and the self-control is part of that". | Jeff Probyn, who played in the 1991 final defeat to Australia, says rugby "teeters on the edge of violence and the self-control is part of that". |
| "Because it's such a physical game if you carried it on, you would end up fighting all the time and not playing, so within the individual players there's a self-control button." | "Because it's such a physical game if you carried it on, you would end up fighting all the time and not playing, so within the individual players there's a self-control button." |
| There are probably more thugs in rugby than in soccer, the only difference is they're on the pitch Jeff ProbynFormer England player Rugby v football: 606 debate Shaking hands at the end draws a line under the game, he says. | There are probably more thugs in rugby than in soccer, the only difference is they're on the pitch Jeff ProbynFormer England player Rugby v football: 606 debate Shaking hands at the end draws a line under the game, he says. |
| "Whatever goes on on the pitch stays there. Your opposite number may have spent the match kicking you but you shake his hand." | "Whatever goes on on the pitch stays there. Your opposite number may have spent the match kicking you but you shake his hand." |
| Probyn says it would be simplistic to think football is played by oiks and rugby by gentlemen. | Probyn says it would be simplistic to think football is played by oiks and rugby by gentlemen. |
| "It's a bit unfair on soccer, which isn't generally a violent game. There's a lot of pressure on players and the authorities have allowed players to question referees. | "It's a bit unfair on soccer, which isn't generally a violent game. There's a lot of pressure on players and the authorities have allowed players to question referees. |
| "There are probably more thugs in rugby than in soccer, the only difference is they're on the pitch and that's a controlled area." | "There are probably more thugs in rugby than in soccer, the only difference is they're on the pitch and that's a controlled area." |
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| ETIQUETTE AMONG SUPPORTERS | ETIQUETTE AMONG SUPPORTERS |
| For those people new to following the oval-shaped balls, there's a number of key questions that need to be answered, such as what do I wear, what do I drink and how should I behave? | For those people new to following the oval-shaped balls, there's a number of key questions that need to be answered, such as what do I wear, what do I drink and how should I behave? |
| TYPICAL RUGBY FAN OUTFIT 1: Rugby shirt is a must (up-turned collar optional)2: Lager, preferably bitter but never white wine3: Stonewashed jeans, not shellsuit bottoms 4: Comfortable shoes such as deck shoes - no trainers Talking rugby - quick guide Send in your pictures | |
| The outfit of the typical fan (pictured right) has long been rugby shirt, jeans and comfortable shoes. Unlike at Twickenham, where Barbour jackets and green wellies are also evident, England supporters in France have followed football's lead and dressed in anything from St George outfits to funny wigs. | The outfit of the typical fan (pictured right) has long been rugby shirt, jeans and comfortable shoes. Unlike at Twickenham, where Barbour jackets and green wellies are also evident, England supporters in France have followed football's lead and dressed in anything from St George outfits to funny wigs. |
| While purists have always favoured bitter or Guinness as their bevvie of choice, the continental spirit that has imbued the current World Cup means newcomers will not be frowned on for drinking lager. However, white wine spritzers might be a cultural shift too far. | While purists have always favoured bitter or Guinness as their bevvie of choice, the continental spirit that has imbued the current World Cup means newcomers will not be frowned on for drinking lager. However, white wine spritzers might be a cultural shift too far. |
| When in the stadium, there's no segregation - rival supporters sit side-by-side. Fans are expected to respect the anthems and allow players to prepare to kick penalties without being whistled. | When in the stadium, there's no segregation - rival supporters sit side-by-side. Fans are expected to respect the anthems and allow players to prepare to kick penalties without being whistled. |
| And club allegiances are left at home. Whether fans support Wasps, Leicester or Sale simply doesn't matter following England. | And club allegiances are left at home. Whether fans support Wasps, Leicester or Sale simply doesn't matter following England. |
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| RUGBY SONGS & JOKES | RUGBY SONGS & JOKES |
| Unlike in football, the repertoire of songs is quite small, with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the main rugby anthem: | Unlike in football, the repertoire of songs is quite small, with Swing Low, Sweet Chariot the main rugby anthem: |
| Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me homeSwing low, sweet chariotComing for to carry me home | |
| And if you really want to rub it in, here's the Afrikaans translation: | And if you really want to rub it in, here's the Afrikaans translation: |
| Hang laag liewe strydwaWant jy moet my huis toe vatHang laag liewe strydwaWant jy moet my huis toe vat | Hang laag liewe strydwaWant jy moet my huis toe vatHang laag liewe strydwaWant jy moet my huis toe vat |
| DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT? Why don't rugby players have mid-life crises?They stay stuck in adolescenceWhy do rugby players like smart women?Opposites attract The spiritual slave-song was written 150 years ago and adopted by the Twickenham faithful in 1988 when England beat Ireland. | DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT? Why don't rugby players have mid-life crises?They stay stuck in adolescenceWhy do rugby players like smart women?Opposites attract The spiritual slave-song was written 150 years ago and adopted by the Twickenham faithful in 1988 when England beat Ireland. |
| According to rugby legend, it was first sang that day by a section of supporters from the Douai School in Woolhampton, who were inspired by three tries scored by the Nigerian-born Chris Oti in front of where they sat, in the lower east stand. | According to rugby legend, it was first sang that day by a section of supporters from the Douai School in Woolhampton, who were inspired by three tries scored by the Nigerian-born Chris Oti in front of where they sat, in the lower east stand. |
| But Swing Low is not to the taste of all England supporters and some prefer Jerusalem. | But Swing Low is not to the taste of all England supporters and some prefer Jerusalem. |
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| CAULIFLOWER EARS | CAULIFLOWER EARS |
| Rugby's defining scar of battle, hematoma auris, or cauliflower ears, can inflict any sportsman that risks a head injury. | Rugby's defining scar of battle, hematoma auris, or cauliflower ears, can inflict any sportsman that risks a head injury. |
| After a sharp blow, a large blood clot develops under the skin and blocks the flow of blood to the cartilage, that gives the ear its shape. If the cartilage dies, the ear shrivels and becomes lumpy. | After a sharp blow, a large blood clot develops under the skin and blocks the flow of blood to the cartilage, that gives the ear its shape. If the cartilage dies, the ear shrivels and becomes lumpy. |
| Graham Rowntree played without a scrum hatSome players, like former England lock forward Alex Codling, managed to keep their ears fully-formed throughout their careers. | Graham Rowntree played without a scrum hatSome players, like former England lock forward Alex Codling, managed to keep their ears fully-formed throughout their careers. |
| "I've worn a scrum hat for many, many years and that's the easiest way to avoid it," he says. "Before becoming professional, at school, I wore tape. Some players are uncomfortable wearing it but I didn't mind." | "I've worn a scrum hat for many, many years and that's the easiest way to avoid it," he says. "Before becoming professional, at school, I wore tape. Some players are uncomfortable wearing it but I didn't mind." |
| He says one common remedy for team mates was the use of leeches to suck out the fluid. | He says one common remedy for team mates was the use of leeches to suck out the fluid. |
| More conventional treatment involves draining the blood and reconnecting the skin to the cartilage, but going back on a rugby pitch to do battle once more disrupts this recovery. | More conventional treatment involves draining the blood and reconnecting the skin to the cartilage, but going back on a rugby pitch to do battle once more disrupts this recovery. |
| Jeff Probyn has one cauliflower ear, his right, from a blow he received from the boot of a Wasps team mate in 1986. | Jeff Probyn has one cauliflower ear, his right, from a blow he received from the boot of a Wasps team mate in 1986. |
| "I drained it three or four times and my wife stuck a pin in it but I got fed up with it and never bothered. If a player is that bothered he can get it operated on, unless he wants to wear it as a badge of honour." | "I drained it three or four times and my wife stuck a pin in it but I got fed up with it and never bothered. If a player is that bothered he can get it operated on, unless he wants to wear it as a badge of honour." |
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Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| "Swing lo ..." goes back a few years more than 1988. In 1959 when playing for The Royal Leicestershire Regiment in Germany, it was a prerequisite at the after-game booze-up - complete with hand gestures!David, London | "Swing lo ..." goes back a few years more than 1988. In 1959 when playing for The Royal Leicestershire Regiment in Germany, it was a prerequisite at the after-game booze-up - complete with hand gestures!David, London |
| The difference between football and rugby can be summed up in one word, "Respect'. How many times have you seen football fans clap an opponent's goal? You often see opponents tries and skill clapped in rugby. Which ever way the game goes on Saturday I will be proud of England if they do their best and should S Africa win, good luck to them. Ian, Leicester | The difference between football and rugby can be summed up in one word, "Respect'. How many times have you seen football fans clap an opponent's goal? You often see opponents tries and skill clapped in rugby. Which ever way the game goes on Saturday I will be proud of England if they do their best and should S Africa win, good luck to them. Ian, Leicester |