EVERYONE who has ever played rugby has had the same familiar overwhelming feeling of anticipation and eagerness. A massive fixture lies tantalising in reach on the Saturday afternoon, but a full week of work is required first.
For most of us the pinnacle of this will manifest itself in a humble County Cup Final or maybe a local derby, when your opposite number is someone who loves to tease you about the result in the pub for months afterwards.
However, in the west of Iberia, there were two men who fulfilled their modest 9-5 plagued with zealous thoughts of clashing with the famous Wallabies, two-time champions of the world, and with Warren Gatland’s Wales, multiple Six Nations Grand Slam winners. For these few, a full-time occupation coincides with the mental and physical preparation necessary to compete, and win, at the very zenith of the sport.
Playing at the Everest of professional sport when they aren’t a fully professional player.
Portugal rugby’s now talismanic and beloved captain, Tomás Appleton, began studying to become a dentist in 2012, back then rugby was just a hobby and he, nor anyone else, could have foreseen what lay on the horizon.
We know now that the swash-buckling crash-ball inside centre with silky soft hands would go on to announce himself on the world stage. However, for much of his life his silky soft hands have been on the inside the mouth of residents of Lisbon, dental hygiene his main focus. The Centro Desportivo Universitário de Lisboa (CDUL) captain has gone on to amass 67 caps for his country, scoring 14 tries along the way.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.