The rugby people who made us extra proud of our sport in 2021
Rugby NewsFriday, 31 December 2021 at 10:32
With amazing history, legendary stories and brilliant players to boast about, it's hard not to be proud of rugby union.
But most of us know that's it's the brilliant people that make this sport what it is.
Here are just a few of the fantastic people who have made us proud of our sport over the course of the year.
#1. Kevin Sinfield
Leicester Tigers coach Kevin Sinfield raised £2.7m for charity after completing a 101-mile run in 24 hours in November.
The funds went towards a new care home in the name of Sinfield's former Leeds team-mate and great friend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019.
The sight of Sinfield making a beeline for Burrow as he arrived at the finish line was poignant, to say the least.
#2. Ashton Hewitt
An inspiring voice in the fight against racism in rugby and sport, summed up by his opinion on the importance of taking a knee. “People can say: ‘What’s it actually doing for racism?’ I’d say to them: ‘What are you actually doing to combat it?’”
#3. Matt Hampson
Hampson, the former Leicester prop, on the emotional strain of Covid for disabled people: “When you have underlying health conditions it is very scary. It’s been very, very stressful for a lot of people.”
While many have “been left to their own devices by a lot of organisations”, the Matt Hampson Foundation has been striving to fill the gap. “We wanted to say to people: ‘Look, we’ll get through this together and we’ll come out stronger. We’ll always support you and your families, no matter what is going on in the world. We’ll always be here, at the end of the line.’
#4. Sara Cox
Trailblazer Cox became the first woman to referee a Premiership Rugby match as she oversaw Harlequins' 35-29 victory over Worcester Warriors back in September.
It was a tidy afternoon from the official, who has previously run the touchline 11 times and acted as TMO twice.
#5. Max Woosey
Woosey, who plays rugby for Barnstable rugby club, has been sleeping in a tent since March 2020 to raise money for North Devon Hospice.
Recently recognised in the Pride of Britain Awards, he slept beside the Twickenham pitch with his dad in November, after receiving this accolade, and was on the pitch as an England mascot for the Autumn Nations Series England v Australia Test.
Max’s neighbour, Rick Abbott, used to chat to him about sport and camping and, before he died and was cared for by the local hospice, he gave Max his tent and told him to go off and have adventures.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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