Famous Rugby Quotes

"If you want to run with the big dogs you've got to lift a leg." - Bok boss Peter de Villiers dumbfounds the media after the Boks scored a surprise win over New Zealand in

"My dresser and I have the hots for the new rugby ace Danny Cipriani. We have a shrine in my dressing room - press photos of him on the field looking swarthy and fit, and snaps of our boy emerging from Mayfair nightclubs, looking sexy and dishevelled." - rugby's new pin-up boy would be advised to stir clear of actor Julian Clary.

"I think Brian Moore's gnashers are the kind you get from a DIY shop and hammer in yourself. He is the only player we have who looks like a French forward." - Paul Randall (1994)

"Ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport." - Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer

“When you're down on the ground and you start thinking about your wife and children it means it's time to stop." - France prop Pieter de Villiers decides to hang up his boots.

“The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer.” - Doug Ibbotson

"The only trophy we won this day, was the blood and sweat we left on the pitch.... and it was enough"

“We are not going to risk his health. He has only got one head. We just have to be wise. Fingers crossed he still could be OK.” - Samoa coach Michael Jones on veteran Brian Lima who was concussed against South Africa.

Following Scotland's accusations of French foul play: "If you can't take a punch, you should play table tennis” Pierre Berbizier

“Forwards are the gnarled and scarred creatures who have a propensity for running into and bleeding all over each other.” - Peter Fitzsimmons

"The relationship between the Welsh and the English is based on trust and understanding. They don't trust us and we don't understand them." - Dudley Wood (1986)

David Nucifora (Auckland) talking about Troy Flavell: "I told him, 'Son, what is it with you. Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'David, I don’t know and I don't care.'"

“Colin Meads is the kind of player you expect to see emerging from a ruck with the remains of a jockstrap between his teeth.” - Tom O’Reilly

"Sure there have been injuries and deaths in rugby - but none of them serious." - Doc Mayhew, a real doctor too....you can tell.

“If I had been a winger, I might have been daydreaming and thinking about how to keep my kit clean for next week.” - Bill Beaumont

"In my time, I've had my knee out, broken my collarbone, had my nose smashed, a rib broken, lost a few teeth, and ricked my back; but as soon as I get a bit of bad luck I'm going to quit the game." - J. W. Robinson

"New Zealand rugby is a colourful game since you get all black ... and blue." - Anon

"A forward's usefulness to his side varies as to the square of his distance from the ball." - Clarrie Gibbons

"Forwards are the gnarled and scarred creatures who have a propensity for running into and bleeding all over each other." - Peter Fitzsimmons

"In 1823, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball in his arms and ran with it. And for the next 156 years forwards have been trying to work out why." - Sir Tasker Watkins (1979)

On the Munster pack: "Mothers keep their photo on the mantelpiece to stop the kids going too near the fire." - Jim Noilly, BBC TV (1995)

"The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." - Doug Ibbotson

After JPR Williams was involved in a road traffic accident: "Bloody typical, isn't it? The car's a write-off. The tanker's a write-off. But JPR comes out of it all in one piece." - Gareth Edwards (1978)

Martin Offiah: "Your hands can't catch what your eyes can't see." - Nike rugby boot advert (1993)

"The heart is willing, the head is willing but the body's had enough." Ireland hooker and skipper Keith Wood hanging up his boots.

"I think you enjoy the game more if you don't know the rules. Anyway, you're on the same wavelength as the referees." - Jonathan Davies, BBC TV (1995)

"It's definitely the hardest tackle I've taken in my life but I'm still breathing and that's a good sign." South Africa flyhalf Derick Hougaard lucky to escape a thumping hit from Samoan hard-man Brian Lima.

"You've got to get your first tackle in early, even if it's late." - Ray Graved

"The whole point of rugby is that it is, first and foremost, a state of mind, a spirit." - Jean- Pierre Rives (1952- ), French rugby player.