Viral Video Of The Day

This gave an Australian morning show a case of the giggles, especially since the player on the left's name is Willie. The female anchor exclaimed, "No reaction at all! Was that some sort of secret handshake? At least buy him dinner first." The two players are former teammates, by the way.

Nashville To Host 2016 Bingham Cup

Via Facebook: "We are proud to announce that Nashville will host the 2016 Bingham Cup! Thanks to all of the players and supporters who participated in the vote and to Chicago and Boston for a spirited bid process. With you, brothers!" The 2014 event was held in Sydney.

Sydney Convicts Win Bingham Cup 2014

Via the Sydney Morning Herald:

The Sydney Convicts have retained the Bingham Cup - the gay and inclusive rugby World Cup - in a 31-0 grand final thrashing of the Brisbane Hustlers in Sydney. Australian teams dominated the three-day international tournament that ended with the one-sided decider in Rose Bay on Sunday. The Sydney Convicts, Australia's first gay rugby union club, fielded three teams in the tournament and their A team took out the top prize for the fourth time in the tournament's history. Held for the first time in the southern hemisphere since it began in 2002, the biennial competition was contested by 24 teams from 15 countries. NSW Governor Marie Bashir, US Ambassador to Australia John Berry, NSW rugby league State of Origin legend Steve Mortimer and local Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull were all on hand for the seventh Bingham Cup decider. The clash follows a momentous week in Australian rugby, with the Australian Rugby Union announcing an inclusion policy to tackle homophobia.

Here's some "behind the scenes" beefcake.

Bingham Cup: Day Two Highlights

Bingham Cup Opens In Sydney

Just Because

The clip can't be embedded here, but I'm guessing many of you will enjoy this. (Tipped by JMG readers Ed and David)

Ruggers In Drag

Some of New York City's Gotham Knights will perform in a drag show on Wednesday as part of their fundraising to send the team to the Bingham Cup in Australia. Details.

Get Into Rugger Trouble

Details.

BRITAIN: Ben Cohen Supports Channel 4's Pro-LGBT Sochi Olympics Campaign

As part of Channel 4's Project Rainbow campaign during the Sochi Olympics, Ben Cohen has recorded a new message about bullying. Note Channel 4's logo.

Rugby Calendar Men

Clip recap: "The Lowlanders are a gay rugby club in Amsterdam. This is the promo video for the making of their 2014 calendar, proceeds from the sale of which will finance their trip to Sydney to play in the Bingham Cup 27-31 August 2014." Possibly not work-friendly.

Ben Cohen's First Week On SCD

NYC Rugby Bachelor Auction: May 9th

The Gotham Knights Rugby Club will hold its annual bachelor auction next week as a fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center.

Gotham Knights RFC are proud to hold our Bachelor Auction X at the one and only Splash 50 W 17th Street, New York NY on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 featuring 15 of New York City’s sexiest rugby players and veterans and hosted by the hardest working woman in show business, Peppermint. Bachelor Auction X is from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM – so get to Splash early to get prime seating to clock our bachelors!

More details here.

BRITAIN: Gay Rugby Star Gareth Thomas Still Leading On Dancing On Ice

Nude Rugby In New Zealand

Outsports has more photos.

AUSTRALIA: Anti-Homophobia Campaign Backed By Professional Rugby League

Gay Star News reports:

A new Australian campaign tackling homophobia has been endorsed by the Australian Football League (AFL) rugby code. The No To Homophobia campaign was launched at the Victorian state parliament today by the Victorian Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge and the Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay. Wooldridge said it was everyone's responsibility to take action on homophobic attitudes. ‘This is a call to action in relation to saying no to homophobia,’ Wooldridge said.

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou hoped his code’s support for the campaign made LGBT Australians feel they were welcome at AFL games. ‘A campaign of this nature promoting respect for each other, healthy relationships and a safe, inclusive environment is imperative if we are to affect positive cultural change,’ Demetriou said. ‘We believe the AFL is one game for all Australians … Through both our actions and the guidelines that govern our game, we are committed to providing a truly inclusive, safe and welcoming environment that fosters healthy, respectful relationships on and off the field.’

The below ad will air throughout the year.

(Tipped by JMG reader Myles)

Today's Ben Cohen Beefcake Shot

Too many of these? I ain't mad at him. Source.

THURSDAY: Ben Cohen In P-Town

Sydney Convicts Win 2012 Bingham Cup

The Sydney Convicts rugby team has won the 2012 Bingham Cup in Manchester, England. Outsports reports:

The Sydney Convicts are bringing the Bingham Cup rugby trophy back to Australia. The Convicts completed a sweep of the tournament this weekend in Manchester, England, winning the A division, 22-5, over the San Francisco Fog and the B division, 13-3, over the Dallas Diablos. "A great day of finals rugby at Bingham cup. Great to see the spirit. Sure the party is gonna be a wild one!!!” tweeted Gareth Thomas, the pro rugby player who came out two years ago. Thomas attended the event along with Ben Cohen, a former elite rugby player and gay ally.

(Via Towleroad)

BRITAIN: Bingham Cup 2012 Begins

The gay rugby league's biannual Bingham Cup tournament begins tomorrow in Manchester, England. JMG tipster Greg tells us that about 1200 players from around the world are there, including the 2010 champions, NYC's Gotham Knights.

Gotham Knights Rugby Bachelor Auction