In the realm of sports, nicknames serve as shorthand for camaraderie and often unveil intriguing anecdotes about athletes.
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Simon Zebo, a former teammate of Racing 92, recently divulged the humorous moniker the squad bestowed upon star fly-half Finn Russell during his tenure in Paris.
Nicknaming is a tradition entrenched in sports culture, producing some unforgettable epithets over the years. Think of Brian Lima, dubbed “The Chiropractor,” or Jason Leonard, affectionately known as “The Fun Bus.”
These nicknames not only encapsulate a player’s essence but also reflect the unique bonds within teams.
Here, we delve into a selection of the modern game’s most notable nicknames of active players:
Jonathan Davies – Fox: Hailing from a family that managed the Fox & Hounds pub in Bancyfelin, Wales, it was almost predestined for Jonathan Davies to be dubbed “Fox.” His younger brother, James, naturally became known as “The Cub.”
Robbie Henshaw – One Man Band: Robbie Henshaw’s multifaceted talents, both on the field and in music, earned him the moniker “One Man Band.” His proficiency in playing various instruments adds a musical flair to his athletic prowess.
Antoine Dupont – Le Ministre de L’Interieur (The Minister of the Interior): Dupont’s mastery in orchestrating plays from the heart of the action earned him this apt title, signifying his pivotal role akin to a government minister.
Liam Williams – Sanjay: Originating from a childhood holiday jest, Liam Williams became affectionately known as “Sanjay,” a nod to the character Sanjay Kapoor from the popular television series Eastenders. The nickname, much like its inspiration, stuck.
Finn Russell – White Chocolate: Drawing inspiration from NBA star Jason Williams, known as “White Chocolate” for his flair and skill, Finn Russell’s nickname highlights his finesse and artistry on the rugby field.
Elliot Daly – Briefcase: Daly’s nickname traces back to his debut at Wasps, where he arrived for training in his school uniform, complete with a briefcase. A testament to his early start in the professional game, the moniker is one for Daly to share with future generations.
Aaron Smith – Nugget: The genesis of this moniker remains somewhat elusive, but it aptly encapsulates Aaron Smith’s stature as a precious asset in the rugby world, akin to a nugget of gold.
Hamish Watson – Pinball: Dubbed “Pinball” for his distinctive running style, which sees him bouncing off multiple players over short distances while carrying the ball, Hamish Watson’s nickname is a testament to his agility and resilience on the field.
The current 36-man British & Irish Lions squad for 2025, according to the bookies
We found it intriguing to project a smaller squad based on the favored contenders according to bookmakers’ odds as of April19, 2024.
The Lions will play a New Zealand and Australia invitational XV as part of their nine-match tour down under in 2025.
The historic fixture in Adelaide will precede Test matches with the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
A sell-out at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground would smash records for a Lions Test match.
The series finale will be played in front of more than 80,000 fans in Sydney’s Olympic Park.
The 2025 Lions tour fixtures in full
- Saturday 28 June: v Western Force, Optus Stadium, Perth
- Wednesday 2 July: v Queensland Reds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Saturday 5 July: v New South Wales Waratahs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Wednesday 9 July: v ACT Brumbies, GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Saturday 12 July: v Invitational Australia & NZ XV, Adelaide Oval
- Saturday 19 July: First Test, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Tuesday 22 July: v Melbourne Rebels, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
- Saturday 26 July: Second Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Saturday 2 August: Third Test, Accor Stadium, Sydney
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Mack Hansen (Ireland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- George Ford (England) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 8/11