Some thought this was rugby values at their best, some thought it was crass false humility... what do you think?
A hard fought and competitive match but, as always, thanks @WelshRugbyUnion for having us and congratulations on the win. pic.twitter.com/FBG3um0GBT
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 23, 2019
In the aftermath their 21-13 loss to Wales, the RFU’s social media gurus posted the above shot which was the result of England cleaning the changing room at the Principality Stadium. You might not realise it, but the subject of ‘sweeping the sheds’ – the act of tidying up a changing room after you’ve used it, which is meant to be a humble act that keeps megastars grounded – is a hotly-contested one.
Some believe that this is ‘rugby’s values’ at their best. There is no better visual to sum up the notions of respect for your opponents, that no one is too big to do the little jobs, and of a shared work-ethic, they believe.
On the other side, some people find images like this cynical and crass; the act of bragging about how humble you are defeats the purpose, some say.
So here’s what was posted on Twitter…
Even better if they didn’t put it on social media. https://t.co/db8ylBaVA3
— Ben Ryan (@benjaminryan) February 24, 2019
Great to see England 'sweep the sheds' – will be plenty of smart comments made, but you can tell a lot about a side, by the way they leave a dressing room. Credit to England's culture https://t.co/XBzWaV1EHX
— Donn O Sullivan (@DonnOSullivan) February 23, 2019
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Oh FFS https://t.co/D5ecUGBr7x
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) February 24, 2019
Pure class from out most fierce rivals 🙏🏻
— Lewis Taylor (@lewaarta) February 23, 2019
Love this post! No matter what the score is, great sportsmanship is everything. As a Welshy obviously I’m chuffed but what a game!! 🏴 🏴
— Helen Enser Morgan🌱🐇🏴 (@helenem06) February 24, 2019
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It is exactly that. Thanks to the ‘Legacy’ book by James Kerr about the @AllBlacks and it’s team culture. it’s made a massive positive impact on The Rugby community and I’m sure in other communities as well. #SweepTheSheds 🧹
— Roland Suniula (@suniula12) February 25, 2019
I just wish a team would post social media pics of tipping the bins all over the changing room and writing "fuck off" on the wall in boot mud.
— Blood & Mud Rugby (@bloodandmud) February 24, 2019
When a team post their tidy post-game dressing room pictures on social media, aren't they sending out mixed messages about the humility they seek to symbolise?
— Damian Hughes (@LiquidThinker) February 24, 2019
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England post their tidy dressing room pic on Sat eve.
Monday morning Twitter still be like… pic.twitter.com/3jRrOCC1Hw
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) February 25, 2019
How the England Tugby team left the changing room after the game. RESPECT. pic.twitter.com/Zim6bMis6B
— Aled Hughes (@aled_hughes1) February 24, 2019
This is how England left their changing room at Principality Stadium yesterday #respect #rugby https://t.co/LoTbi39mB7
— Joe Sultana (@JoeSultana15) February 24, 2019
Well played Wales. #ENGvWAL
England not on their game. And no plan B.
But proud to see how they left the changing room @EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/YFH5ff29G2— Oliver Rackham (@OliverRackham) February 24, 2019
Well, as you can see, there are some differing views out there on this.
Plenty of the complaints come from the fact that it was England who tweeted about this themselves, rather than their hosts, Wales. Some pointed to the football World Cup, when the Japanese national team cleaned the changing-room and left a thank you note for their opponents, but said nothing on social media about it – someone else discovered their gracious work. For them, that was a better example of humility.
Anyway, the phenomena of shed sweeping won’t be going anywhere fast. Nor should it – the debate is about whether to post online about it or not.
What do you think of it all? Let us know via our Twitter page, on Facebook or you can send us a letter at rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com as well.