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'I'm going on a Lions tour!': The dinner reservation ploy that confirmed Scott Quinnell's Lions selection
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions No 8 Scott Quinnell’s talent for storytelling featured on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’s live show this week, with the tale of his second British and Irish Lions selection being a particular highlight.
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Quinnell’s professional rugby career lasted 15 years, where the No 8 racked up 52 Wales caps as well as four in the Welsh Rugby League side. In 2022, the 50-year-old set out on The Lion Speaks Tonight tour, where he delivered a number of tales from his playing days along with pictures and insights into the world of the Lions.
The charismatic Welsh legend delivered one of those stories for the GBR’s live crowd in Cardiff, leaving the audience in stitches as he described the stress of waiting to receive the letter of selection for the 2001 British and Irish Lions tour.
“I’m going to phone my f*cking father!” 🤣
Scott Quinnell reveals the unconventional way he discovered he was a Lions tourist! 🦁
Watch and listen to this Live Show Special on your favourite streaming platforms now! 🔊📺#rugby #rugbyunion pic.twitter.com/uqkliOZ7fz
— The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) December 28, 2022
“The second one, I was so nervous,” Quinnell revealed, before chronicling his conversation with his wife Nicola. “Because you’ve done it before, there was an expectation of ‘I could go on this’. Before, you didn’t have any expectation at all, so that one, I was like ‘Oh my god’.
“The day before the letter was supposed to drop, I was like ‘Nic, I can’t take this anymore’. I couldn’t take it. She said ‘calm down!’ I said ‘no, I’m going to phone my father!'”
The ensuing back and forth between Mr and Mrs Quinnell ultimately did little to calm the Welshman’s nerves as he finally exclaimed “I’m going to phone my f*****g father!
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“Now, what I should explain, my father was actually a selector on both f*****g tours I went on right. But, I was so f*****g nervous, I said ‘I’ve got to phone dad!’
Quinnell phoned his father, the great Derek Quinnell, claiming to want to take both parents out for a “slap-up meal” if he were selected for the tour.
“‘On a Tuesday night, in Five Roads, the restaurant gets really busy, the nice one,” He told his father.
“‘If I don’t book now then it’d be-‘ he said ‘book it for 7:30 I’ll see you there.’
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Quinnell screamed with joy, “thank you, dad! I’m going on a Lions tour!”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
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