Today is a great day because it is The Girl’s Birthday! Now we won’t say how old she is getting…but its another year closer to 30!

The Girl

You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You’ll never know, dear,
How much I love you.

Don’t forget to enter the July Free Rugby Raffle, you can win a limited edition The Girl tshirt!

A few people have emailed asking where others are staying for the Rugby World Cup so I thought I would stir up some dialogue. Where are you staying? With friends, hotel, hostel?

Post your details and maybe we can stay together so the USA fans (or any fans really) can unite! The Girl and I are going Aug 28 – Sep 6 and we are staying with another rugger blogger (Ali at ScrumQueens). We LOVE free housing, but we did want to stay in a hotel or hostel for a night or two…it would great to stay with all the other USA fans!

Ohh and if you haven’t heard, Dana and Tania are trying to put together a social game against The British Police at the RWC as well. Check out this post for more details.

From the family and friends of Phillippe “Fiji” Leka:

It is with great sadness that we confirm the untimely passing of Phillippe “Fiji” Leka on April 14 2010. Phillippe, aged 30, suffered a fatal neck injury during a rugby game on April 3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

Phillippe, from Nayawa Village, Nadroga Province, Fiji, is survived in the U.S. by his partner Liliana and their one year old daughter Xyella. Phillippe will be repatriated to Fiji, where he will be received by his cousin Ratu Naibuka Nacei Narukutabua and members of his Fijian family. He will be laid to rest with his mother in the village of Nayawa.

Phillippe lived life to the fullest, particularly on the rugby field where he played with joy and passion. His memory will be honored by his friends and family across the world who will continue to play, and support, the game he loved.

Phillippe’s family would like to thank the many individuals and rugby clubs for the thoughts and prayers that have comforted them during this difficul time.

A memorial service will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Milwaukee Friends Meeting House, 3224 N. Gordon Place, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

A charitable fund has been established to help support Phillippe’s family and his journey home to Fiji. To find out more, or make a donation, visit milwaukeeharlequins.com/Leka-Fund.html.

Rachel and Kadye at NashBash 2010

This is perhaps one of the most difficult blog posts I have ever had to write. Last Saturday while The Girl and I were in DC for Ruggerfest we got the phone call that no one ever wants to get. One of the girls we coach on the University of Texas Rugby Team was involved in a fatal car accident.

The University of Texas team and its coaches are devastated but are working together through this tragedy. Kadye Cooper was an incredibly vibrant and beautiful person who always left you with a smile. Her vigor and passion for life was enviable and we are all better people because of her presence. All of our love goes out to her family as they deal with this tragedy too.

To read her obituary, please go here.

A few months ago @hullcove and I were thinking it would be hilarious if there was a Twitter account that was dedicated to all the hilarious things that happen with rugby. It seems the best quotes either come at practice, on road trips, on the pitch or really anywhere that rugby is involved. So I decided last night that I would make it happen! I am pleased to introduce the newest YSC Twitter account, @rugbyquotes.

All you have to do is Tweet your quote and include @rugbyquotes. Once I receive it, I will RT it for everyone else to see. You can view all the quotes by searching on Twitter for rugbyquotes as well. I will repost the best quote of the day on the regular @scrumhalfblog Twitter stream as well.

Lets get laughing!