13. “I played like an absolute helmet, which often happened around England time.” Joe Marler reflects on the anxiety he used to feel about going away on international training camps.
14. “I don’t understand this, guys. We’re a bloody good team. We lost a few games, but we played tough today and we won. Why is it always the most important game? Because you want to sack me? You’re going to do it at some stage. You know that. You know that. If I stay long enough, you’re going to get me sacked. One day you’ll be happy. You’ll come in and say ‘Fantastic, we’ve got another bloke we can terrorise’.” After England narrowly beat a rejuvenated South Africa side at Twickenham in November, it was once again Eddie Jones that stole the headlines as he launched into a tirade against the press.
15. “We’re chipping away with a little rock hammer, picking up losing bonus points, but we must start winning games. We need to change that rock hammer for a sledgehammer and get some wins.” said Nick Kennedy. Despite being eventually relegated in May, London Irish started the new year positively with a losing bonus point at Welford Road against Leicester Tigers.
16. “If you’re going to be a bear be a Grizzly. For years I’ve thought like that. What’s the point of being someone who sits in a corner and no one knows who they are? When the big games are happening and the bright lights are on, that’s when I like to shine.” James “Cubby Boi” Davies.