It is time for Planet Rugby's Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week's action.
What a moment. Munster were the deserved champions of the United Rugby Championship this season. Have a look at this moment as they sing, 'Stand up and fight' in the changing room with the trophy in the middle after beating the Stormers 19-14.
?? @MunsterRugby fans, enjoy this post-Grand Final changing room scenes ??#BKTURC #URC | #UnitedWeRise #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/RV8zjtlKPR
- BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) May 27, 2023
It was an emotional moment for captain Peter O'Mahony and veteran Keith Earls who have been great servants of the club. Look at how much the title means.
?? Peter O'Mahony and Keith Earls savour the moment. #URC #STOvMUNpic.twitter.com/uYNpWqVSGi
- Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 27, 2023
It all comes to an end for Earls, and he deservedly finishes his career being carried off the field by his teammates with the trophy in hand. It does not get any better for a legend of the game.
Most players don't get the fairytale ending.
It's poetic that Keith Earls walked off the pitch for the last time as a champion today.
A legend of Irish rugby. pic.twitter.com/9TTXxh4BjN
- Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 27, 2023
On the flip side, Steven Kitshoff played his final game for the Stormers in the defeat. The Cape Town crowd gave their captain a standing ovation in his last appearance before joining Ulster.
?? Cape Town rises to bid @StevenKitshoff farewell.#URC #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/X8ow5t3GHp
- Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 28, 2023
John Hodnett scored the key try in Munster's triumph; it also didn't take him long to drop an F-bomb. The reaction from his skipper is priceless.
John Hodnett swearing seconds into the interview ???? #URC #STOvMUN pic.twitter.com/tQ0UHNqP9S
- Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 27, 2023
Saracens celebrate like the champions they are after winning the Premiership title by beating Sale Sharks on Saturday. The energy and joy is overpowering as Jamie George brings the trophy into the changing room. Outstanding celebrations from an outstanding team.
There's no feeling like it ????@Saracens | #GallagherPremFinal | #SARvSAL pic.twitter.com/aQYHZBiR0x
- Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) May 27, 2023
Premiership champions Saracens produced this brilliant signing video for scrum-half Ivan van Zyl. An awkwardly fantastic masterpiece this is.
?? Even ?????????? moments need perfecting.
Here's to many more, @IvanVanZyl1.#YourSaracens?? pic.twitter.com/ClhKpYUd9l
- Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 23, 2023
It's another absolute gem of a signing video from Saracens, only this time it is prop Marco Riccioni teaching his teammates some Italian! Have to hand it to the team's media admin, two hilarious videos in a week.
??? Speaking ?????? language.
?? Saracens ?? Riccioni ?? #YourSaracens?? pic.twitter.com/Hcct9gwl6n
- Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 26, 2023
The captions should have been 'tell me you are forward without telling me you are a forward'. Got to love it. A forward kicking looks so wrong, but there is this mysterious beauty about it. Bakkies Botha's Dan Biggar impressive takes the cake!
I wouldn't mind seeing more forwards give kicking a go for the Barbarians this weekend pic.twitter.com/3HPmJNy7RA
- Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) May 26, 2023
Yet another powerful moment from the weekend as the great Aaron Smith's time with the Highlanders comes to an end as he looks on at his team performing a Haka in his honour. Goosebumps stuff.
A powerful moment for Nuggy and the @Highlanders post-game ?? #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/dVfsLTBklt
- Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 26, 2023
Is power like this even legal?? Gargantuan Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou shows off his immense strength in the gym. That bar is seriously bending. Would not want to find him running down your channel, that's for sure.
Light work ??
We can't wait to see Taniela Tupou back on the field soon! pic.twitter.com/QuUoMeG6Ne
- RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) May 24, 2023
READ MORE: Peter O'Mahony praises Munster's champion mentality in URC Grand Final win