Rugby’s Social Media Moments of the Week: Bristol Bears produce two monster tackles in plus British and Irish Lions squad reaction 

By Charlie Elliott

Rugby saw plenty happen over the weekend, with leagues across the world coming up with some great moments. 

Social media managed to keep tabs on everything that happened, offering a perspective and opinion on every moment, big or small. 

With the Premiership and Top 14 reaching crunch time, fans of those leagues, especially, were on the edge of their seats watching it unfold. 

Here, Charlie Elliott goes through the best moments of the weekend from rugby social media. 

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Jimmy Gopperth Send Off 

Legendary fly-half Jimmy Gopperth received a proper send-off in his final home game for Pro D2 side Provence, following the end of his contract. 

His side played a video of his career highlights and posted a video of Gopperth’s reaction, with the Kiwi looking visibly moved, looking back at his glittering career. 

Many assumed that this meant that he would retire, but he said on social media that he was ‘not retiring yet’ in response to a comment wishing him a happy retirement. 

It is unclear where the Newcastle Falcons and Wasps legend will go next, but whoever secures his signature will get a wealth of experience. 

Lions Reactions 

With the British and Irish Lions squad being announced on Thursday, many players posted their reactions to selection on social media, giving a great insight into the highs that come with being a professional rugby player. 

They varied from players like Blair Kinghorn and Ben Earl celebrating in their living rooms, to the Northampton Saints players all being together, to Jac Morgan receiving the news while the Ospreys were on a flight to South Africa. 

Whatever the situation, it was nice to see players getting some of the best news that they will ever receive rugby-wise. 

Jonah Lomu’s Birthday 

Tributes have flooded in today for legendary All Black Jonah Lomu, on what would have been his 50^th birthday. 

Lomu sadly and unexpectedly passed away in November of 2015, but has not been forgotten by fans across the world. 

Regarded as the first global superstar of the game, his impact was huge both off the pitch as well as on it. 

Fans have been sharing their best memories of him, with it being evidently clear as to just how highly he is still regarded within the sport. 

Tyrone Green’s moment to forget 

Harlequins‘ fullback Tyrone Green made one of the biggest mistakes of the season when he crossed the tryline, only to drop the ball before dotting down. 

It followed a lovely run from the player, in which he burst past a couple of defenders, and it would have been a great try if not for the mistake. 

Fans were quick to point out that this proves the age-old advice to dive down when scoring, instead of reaching down while standing up, which Green did. 

Luckily, his side won comfortably, and he had a good game aside from that, but it was one to forget. 

Toulon’s Atmosphere 

The Top 14 seems to be the place to be at the moment, with some of the best talent in the world going at it every week and a unique fan culture that is the envy of many Premiership fans. 

No more so was this the case than this weekend, when Toulon hosted Toulouse in a top-of-the-table clash, which was played at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome. 

A packed-out crowd was in fine voice, and the sight before the game was one to behold, with fans waving flags that created a mosaic of the RCT logo in the stands. 

It wasn’t enough to help the hosts over the line, as they were well beaten 50-15 by table-toppers Toulouse. 

French fans are incredible, but this game took it to another level. 

Huge hits in Bristol Bears v Bath 

Bristol Bears v Bath always has a bit of needle, given the rivalry and geographical proximity of the two clubs, but their clash at the Principality Stadium saw two especially huge hits. 

Benhard Janse van Rensburg crunched Orlando Bailey with a textbook tackle in the second minute of the game, setting the stage for a physical battle. 

Unsurprisingly, Bill Mata also produced a great shot on young fly-half Ciaran Donoghue, but even more impressively, the youngster barely flinched and was instead more interested in seeing how play developed for his side. 

Clearly there is no love lost between the two sides. 

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