Episode 1051: Rugby InterPros Provide Festive Feast, Shane Long Ends Goal Drought, The Marshmallow Test

If you had to scratch your head a bit to find a good football game on this festive season, the Pro-14 rugby interprovincials had buckets of entertainment on show. Late comebacks, out-of-nowhere hammerings, plucky young un’s and tons of tries meant there was plenty to chew on for every fan base this Christmas.

Ulster’s Rob Lyttle ©INPHO/Brian Little

5 OF THE BEST

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Enjoy some of the best tries from round 12 #GUINNESSPRO14
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— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) January 3, 2018

Gavin Duffy and Gerry Thornley preview the next round of interpros, admire James Lowe’s offloads, examine Ultan Dillane’s return to form, Kieran Keane’s masterplan, fret over Ulster’s pack, and we ask is Jordan Larmour the best young attacking talent we’ve seen since Brian O’Driscoll?

Leinster’s Jordan Larmour ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Shane Long finally ended his goal drought in the Premier League last night, but some people were a little upset he was being made fun of. We outline why we think Shane would do well to grin and bear it.

Granted, Shane Long has been on a wretched run of form, but this was an unnecessary cheap shot against him by Match of the Day. Very mean-spirited against a player clearly struggling from a crisis of confidence. #MOTD #Southampton pic.twitter.com/1JALVNMre8

— Ronan O’Flaherty (@ronanoflaherty) January 3, 2018

Plus there’s narky post-match interviews, Wayne Mardle’s meltdown, and Wayne Rooney failing the marshmallow test.

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Just when you think he can’t be any more of a leader, Ken goes and delivers another amazing show (while Eoin mutters away about darts). Also, mystery man saves Ken from awkward social interaction – we reveal all here ????https://t.co/BwDPHPkH7W pic.twitter.com/dSPNIorHO3

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) January 2, 2018