The Sin Bin
Daring Ellis Park pilot passes away
ESPN Staff
April 26, 2013
England Sevens star Michaela Staniford poses as a leopard to promote the London 7s, April 18, 2013
England Sevens star Michaela Staniford poses as a leopard to promote the London 7s © RFU
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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.

England Sevens on safari

Not content with dazzling us with their latest sartorial choice, England Sevens stars - both men and women - struck PR gold last week in their continued attempts to publicise next month's London Sevens - the final event in this year's HSBC Sevens Series. Chris Cracknell, Dan Norton, Tom Mitchell, Alice Richardson and Michaela Staniford (pictured) all endured hours in make-up - which we sense they enjoyed - in order to emphasise the safari theme for this year's Sevens extravaganza. Got your ticket and theme sorted?

Daring Ellis Park pilot passes away

Word reached ESPNscrum HQ this week that Laurie Kay, the South African pilot best known for flying a Boeing 747 passenger jet low over a Johannesburg stadium before the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, has died at the age of 67. Associated Press reports that, "the stencilled underside of the plane read "Good Luck Bokke" in a message of support for South Africa's national team, the Springboks" who went on to claim a memorable victory over the All Blacks. Check out his amazing flying skills in the clip below:

Cipriani hits the headlines - and a bus

There was no escaping this story this week. If you have been on Mars for the past couple of days, Sale fly-half Danny Cipriani was hit by a bus during an end-of-season night out with his Sharks team-mates who together tackled 'The Otley Run' pub crawl. The former England international is clearly a very lucky man having escaped with just concussion but we're not quite sure why they were out on the lash with one game still remaining this season? Full marks to the Daily Mail who detailed the extent of The Otley Run - "a pub crawl which wings its way from the student-populated areas of Headingley in Leeds, back into the city centre campuses. There is no defined route, but a number of pubs make up the traditional locations for the booze-filled student party. It's a drunken all-dayer which typically sees those involved in fancy dress partying at up to 16 pubs heading into the city - and usually finishing up at one of the campus bars."

Tackle-hungry junior destined for big things?

England coach Stuart Lancaster - in his role as assistant coach of his son Dan's West Park RFC side - may have recently hailed the prowess of Whitley Bay Rockcliff Rugby Club's U12s side but he may want to cast an eye across to Sandal RFC in his quest to find the stars of tomorrow. Will Gatus' exploits for their Under-9 side are attracting increasing attention on YouTube - not surprising given his awesome display of power and pace.

Council bans club from playing national anthem

The Yorkshire Post reported earlier this week that Scarborough RFC had "banned from playing the national anthem through loudspeakers by town hall bureaucrats" ahead of the the England Colleges v Irish Exiles clash scheduled for this weekend. Council bosses feared "local villagers will be annoyed by the noise" while UKIP leader Nigel Farage waded into the debate, commenting: "The National Anthem in total is usually only 60 seconds long. I would have thought there was a perfectly good reason here for bending the rules. I'm utterly appalled." However, the club insist the anthem will feature after local singer was recruited to sing it acapella.

Chiefs harness the power of social media

London Irish fly-half Ian Humphreys may have ended up on the losing side following his side's recent visit to Sandy Park, but he has emerged as a real winner in the eyes of one young rugby fan. The 30-year-old back was greeted with a chorus of boos from supporters packed inside Sandy Park when he inadvertently kicked the ball straight into the face of seven-year-old schoolboy James Allan, who was watching his first-ever Chiefs game. Immediately Humphreys gestured towards the youngster for his actions and even tried to find him following the final whistle, but James had already headed for home. The good news is that he was eventually located - thanks to social media - and Humphreys apologised and James was subsequently laden with Chiefs and Irish goodies.

Eliott Daly puts the rubbish out

Elliot Daly scores a hole-in-one
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This one has seen plenty of air-time in the past week but well worth another viewing. For those yet to marvel at Elliot Daly's precision punting during Wasps' defeat to Exeter last week, sit back and enjoy. The question is - could he do this again?

It also reminded us of this classic clip of Worcester's Gavin Quinnell putting the rubbish out - or Gloucester's Peter Richards into touch - a few years ago.

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