The Sin Bin
Strong man at Amman and dog drama
ESPN Staff
January 18, 2013
Former World Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski is now reportedly packing down in the Welsh leagues for Amman © Getty Images
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Welcome to the latest edition of The Sin Bin - our regular feature offering you some of the quirkier stories to emanate from the game we love.

There's not a ruck we will not delve into or a hospital pass we will avoid in a bid to bring you some of the more bizarre, humorous and downright daft stories, videos, pictures and soundbites from around the rugby globe. Got anything you think warrants a mention? Let us know

One-man scrum

Former World's Strongest Man-turned-MMA fighter Mariusz Pudzianowski (pictured right) has joined Welsh side Amman United. Ex-Wales winger Shane Williams broke the news on Twitter earlier this week and the club have since confirmed that he has put pen to paper. Pudzianowski claimed the World's Strongest Man title on five separate occasions between 2002 and 2008 before taking up the sport of mixed martial arts. WRU Division 3 West - you have been warned.

'I just love my KFC'

The New Year has seen a flurry of transfer activity including Wasps' Billy Vunipola making a high-profile switch to Premiership rivals Saracens. The move appears to have made the 20-year-old few friends at Wasps' training base while he has also been the subject of ridicule at the hands of team-mate Tom Varndell. Check out Billy's hilarious statement to Wasps' fans.

No rugby at the Emirates?

You may remember Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium being dropped from the list of potential 2015 Rugby World Cup venues due to manager Arsene Wenger's concerns about his beloved playing surface. It appears those fears have subsided some what going by Laurent Koscielny's attempts to tackle Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko during their Premier League clash at the weekend. Not quite textbook.

'Dog ate my passport'

This story could not have failed to get your attention last weekend such is the exposure it got. Cardiff Blues' Jason Tovey was unable to travel with his side to Toulon due to the fact that his dog had mauled his passport deeming it useless. Perhaps to silence those doubters who suggested it was a ruse so he would miss what turned out to be a 45-25 drubbing at the Stade Felix Mayol, he posted a picture of the remains.

Ref in funny banter shocker

The Rugby Union Writers' Club met for their annual bash earlier this week where England skipper Chris Robshaw picked up the Pat Marshall Award as the scribes' choice for the most outstanding contribution to the game in the past year. Former Wales and British Lions fly-half and BBC broadcaster Cliff Morgan was also honoured on a memorable evening. Bringing a bit of light relief to the evening was international referee Nigel Owens. No stranger to the after-dinner speaking circuit or short of a humourous line or two when reffing ("This is not soccer"), Owens injected a fair amount of laughs into proceedings when previously they have been notable by their absence. Among those to get a little ribbing were ESPN's Austin Healey - sadly not present to rise to the bait.

Touchy about touch footy

The Waratahs' were rightly fuming this week when lock Kane Douglas picked up an injury while playing touch rugby as part of a promotional event ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour Down Under later this year. Douglas twisted his ankle and is set to be on the sidelines for at least a couple of weeks "We were assured there would be no rugby content whatsoever," fumed Tahs boss Michael Chieka.

It'll be all white on the night

The Heineken Cup battle between Saracens and Edinburgh may be scheduled for Sunday but the opening skirmishes have already taken place. The Scottish side have been forced to create a new playing strip after Saracens refused to switch to their change kit. Edinburgh's home and away kits are predominantly black and red - the same as Sarries' home strip. The Premiership side wore their alternative white kit for the sides' clash at Murrayfield earlier in the competition but were understandably reluctant to do the same again for what will be their last game at Vicarage Road before a move to the Allianz Park

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