Peter O’Mahony is gearing up to hang up his boots, with his current contract extension at Munster likely to be his last.
While there’s a slim chance he could take his talents abroad, O’Mahony suggests this is the end of his rugby journey. “
This is my final contract in professional rugby, at least here,” he shared. “I want to savour every moment, from Christmas games to those special ones at Thomond Park.”
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No grand farewell tour
Unlike some, O’Mahony isn’t interested in a drawn-out goodbye. Instead, he’s keen to mentally tick off key matches as the season rolls on, saying, “I’m not looking for an extended farewell tour. But I’ll be marking the milestones along the way.”
From rucks to roses?
Off the pitch, O’Mahony’s green thumb is already a hit with fans! His immaculate garden has become almost as famous as his tackles, with fans praising his landscaping skills. O’Mahony joked that his son loves “undoing” all his hard work after he’s done maintaining the lawn.
Fans can’t get enough of the garden updates
One admirer commented, “Garden looks great Peter, well done.” Another chimed in with, “Love your home interiors and garden of dreams.” A third simply added, “Beautiful garden. Hydrangeas are my favourite!”
A gardening career on the horizon?
While O’Mahony’s future could include coaching, he’s also toying with the idea of taking up gardening full-time post-retirement. Who knows, we might see him on our screens with his own garden show by spring!
Stay tuned for Peter’s next gardening masterpiece—bound to be a treat for both rugby and garden lovers!
Danny Care selects his British & Irish Lions XV, picks the “best scrum-half”
In a Lions XV selection that’s sure to spark some heated pub debates, Danny Care – yes, the man with over 100 caps for England – has handpicked his “best scrum-half” for next summer’s tour to Australia.
Spoiler alert: it’s not a Welshman. In fact, there’s not a single Welsh player in the entire lineup! Care and fellow former England international Mark Atkinson have chosen a squad packed with English and Irish stars, leaving the Welsh out in the cold.
Tomos Williams Tease – The One Welshman Who Almost Made It
Williams was the only Welsh name brought up on Care’s Hits Different podcast, with Atkinson saying, “I’ve seen a big impact from him joining Gloucester. He’s got 40-odd Wales caps [58 now], and if there’s one Welsh player to make the tour, it’s him.” But even that wasn’t enough to earn him a place in their Lions XV.
Care, meanwhile, was clear in his verdict: Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park is “the best scrum-half” around, with Alex Mitchell close behind. Sorry, Tomos!
Smith vs Russell: English Flair Wins the 10 Battle
The surprises didn’t stop there – Care and Atkinson picked England’s Marcus Smith over Scotland’s Finn Russell at No. 10, while the midfield saw a bruising combination of Ireland’s Bundee Aki and England’s Ollie Lawrence.
Feyi-Waboso? Yes, Please!
Another shocker? The Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made the wing, alongside Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. And, to cap it all off, England’s George Furbank took the full-back spot over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan.
Danny Care and Mark Atkinson’s Lions XV:
15. George Furbank: An agile fullback known for his versatility and impressive kicking game, Furbank has made a name for himself with his ability to read the game and contribute in attack and defense.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: A rising star in the rugby scene, Feyi-Waboso is recognized for his explosive speed and powerful running style, making him a significant threat on the wing.
13. Ollie Lawrence: A dynamic centre with a strong physical presence, Lawrence excels in breaking tackles and creating space for his teammates, contributing both defensively and offensively.
12. Bundee Aki: A seasoned centre known for his robust tackling and strong ball-carrying abilities, Aki brings experience and leadership to the midfield, often acting as a key playmaker.
11. Duhan van der Merwe: A powerful wing with a knack for scoring tries, van der Merwe combines size with speed, making him a difficult player to stop in one-on-one situations.
10. Marcus Smith: A talented fly-half known for his creativity and tactical awareness, Smith is adept at orchestrating play and has a keen eye for gap opportunities in the defense.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park: A sharp and agile scrum-half, Gibson-Park is recognized for his quick decision-making and ability to control the pace of the game, making him a vital link between forwards and backs.
