What a time for Tom Dunn to strike a blow for rugby’s cherished local heroes, just as the notions of identity and belonging are under threat from a global ‘travelling circus’ rebel league.
The 32-year-old hooker was the heart and soul of Bath’s comeback win over Bristol, propelling Johann van Graan’s side to Twickenham for another shot at clinching their first Premiership title since 1996. Dunn became the poster boy of a blood-and-thunder West Country derby, with his club releasing a social media post showing his muddied, bloodied and swollen face, and the caption ‘Tough to Beat’.
When Bath lock horns with Leicester at the national stadium on Saturday, nobody on either side will give more to the cause of becoming champions of England than the man at the heart of his team’s front row.
Dunn emerged from the city’s university and nearby Chippenham RFC on a mission to represent his hometown club, and he has done so with distinction, never more than against the Bears, from first minute to last, with a short break along the way.
The images of a bashed-up, euphoric Dunn after that seismic play-off encounter resonated because they get to the heart of what the sport is still all about.
It is founded on passion and courage and emotional intensity, as much as skill. Bath v Bristol was full of both elements but hats off to Dunn and former England skipper Ellis Genge – another prominent member of the local-hero society – for epitomising the warrior spirit which makes the game what it is.
Tom Dunn produced a battling display to get his Bath side over the line in their semi-final
Dunn was at the heart of Bath’s comeback victory to seal their place in next weekend’s final
Seeing Dunn bashed-up but euphoric reminded everyone what this sport is all about
That spirit is rooted in a strong link to a place and its people, which the proposed franchise league, R360, cannot replicate. So, what would it be? An exhibition of silky skills in the sunshine, complete with cheerleaders and fireworks, rock stars and wild offloads. That is all well and good to an extent, but what about the tribalism and ferocity on which the sport is built?
Maybe the coveted next-generation fans don’t care about all that and just want a glossy show, and that is exactly what rugby’s marketing people have been frantically trying to work out. There is young support in all the big oval-ball heartlands in France – as illustrated by the riotous street party when Bordeaux beat Northampton to win the Champions Cup. Here, a youth movement is less evident, but young fans form partisan, parochial bonds in football, so presumably the same can happen in rugby.
There is every chance that a slick production around the new rebel league, if it does take off, would attract young eyeballs.
Good luck to the so-called disruptors for shaking up the stuffy old rugby establishment – and boy, oh boy, does it need a shake-up. It is all far too cosy and stale and incapable of packaging the game in a way which makes it appealing or financially viable.
Anyone ready to light a few metaphorical fires under the corridors of power is performing a valuable public service.
Anyway, back to Dunn. He also struck a blow for the grafters in less glamorous roles. As a default, if a team win and the 10 plays well – kicking a lot of goals and throwing fancy passes – they are in pole position for Player of the Match. Wings who score eye-catching tries, a la Adam Radwan – the flying Tiger – are also prime contenders.
Next in the positional hierarchy are back-row dynamos who have a prominent influence on proceedings at the breakdown. Maro Itoje is a freak in regularly earning medals and plaudits in the second row, where the glamour factor starts to fade.
And unless a scrum is spectacularly dominant, front-rowers are overlooked. So, how good it was for Dunn to be the image of such a momentous win, after tackling, driving and smashing himself to a pulp to push Bath on towards their ultimate target.
Dunn tackled and smashed himself to a pulp to push Bath on towards their ultimate target
At Twickenham, so much focus will be on imported match-winners such as Finn Russell
But the match will be won and lost by the piano-shifters, as well as the piano-playing artists
What a local hero the veteran has become, whatever the exact definition of ‘local’. Years back, Rob Fidler was known as the ‘foreigner’ in Gloucester’s pack, because he came from Cheltenham, a distant eight miles away.
Well, there is nothing in the least bit foreign about Dunn and he will patch himself up ready to have a big say in the title decider.
At Twickenham this weekend, so much focus will be on the imported match-winners and Test icons at 10, Finn Russell and Handre Pollard.
There will also be attention and plaudits for the prolific finishers out wide such as Joe Cokanasiga and Radwan. But the match will be won and lost by the piano-shifters, as well as the piano-playing artists. Dunn and other local-hero grafters like Leicester’s Dan Cole will deserve their share of the limelight and acclaim, too – and their role in proving the enduring value of identity and a sense of belonging.
Leicester avoid referee injustice
There was a bit of a commotion about Freddie Steward’s tackle on Luke Cowan-Dickie in the closing stages of the Leicester-Sale game, but referee Matthew Carley made the right call after reviewing footage.
While the players’ heads collided, it looked like Steward did his utmost to bend very low against the dipping carrier and make a legal tackle.
Replays suggested that he was trying to use his arms, but the angles, speed and proximity meant there was head-on-head contact. This will happen. It cannot be black and white; neat, tidy and perfect. Rugby is explosive, chaotic and messy, with lots of heavy, moving parts at close quarters.
Steward was the victim of a glaring injustice in Dublin in 2023, when he was sent off while trying to avoid contact with Ireland’s Hugo Keenan. This time, there was little he could do other than leap out of the way entirely or hit the deck.
Leicester deserved to win and for the game to have turned on a borderline decision at the end would have been an injustice.
Referee Matthew Carley was right not to send off Freddie Steward in the closing stages
For the game to have turned on a borderline decision at the end would have been an injustice
Wilson’s football skills are big threat to Lions
One kick in Christchurch, New Zealand, last Friday night should serve as a warning to the Lions.
Queensland Reds claimed a late try against the Crusaders when Australia captain Harry Wilson’s deft chip sent the ball back-spinning to a halt inside the in-goal area, for Fraser McReight to pounce on for a slick strike.
The footballing skill from Wilson was more worthy of a fly-half than a No 8 and his alliance with openside flanker McReight will be a cornerstone of the Wallabies’ quest to defeat the Lions this summer.
However, the Reds lost to leave the Brumbies as the sole Aussies in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals. They will face the Chiefs on Saturday, following an all-Kiwi clash between the Crusaders and the Blues.
It would provide a timely boost for the Wallabies if the Brumbies could cause an upset next weekend.
One deft kick from Harry Wilson in Christchurch should serve as a warning to the Lions
Last Word
Congratulations to Tomos Williams for deservedly winning Premiership Player of the Year. The Wales scrum-half has been a sensational recruit for Gloucester.
If the selection playing field is level on the Lions tour – rather than being an Ireland-dominated process, with Andy Farrell preferring the men he knows best – Williams can challenge Jamison Gibson-Park for a Test spot.
Ireland’s canny conductor brings control and tempo, but the Welshman has razor-sharp instincts and X-factor talent, plus momentum from a vintage club campaign.
Also, he’s available to face Argentina in Dublin on June 20 and strike an early blow in the tussle for the No 9 shirt, which also features Alex Mitchell. That three-horse race could turn into one of the most intriguing sub-plots of the tour.
