Having just read Joe Marler’s take on the British and Irish Lions and what it taught him about rugby, I must admit to a sense of joy.
For Marler to openly admit that learning to drink was one of the things that really made a difference for him on a tour where he was seen as a ‘midweek veg’ says to me that Gatland got something more right than some of his predecessors.
The ability of a head coach to understand and allow players to deal with the elation or disappointments that happen in sport in whatever way they choose is one of the key factors for building a successful squad.
It also reveals a level of trust between the management and players showing they know what is expected of each of them and disappointment is kept under control.
Naturally, any player should not do anything in such excess that impacts on either the individual or team performance and must take into consideration proximity of games and training – but otherwise pretty much anything goes.
Knowing, as Joe said, that you are not destined for a Test spot unless there is an injury or a player has a nightmare game is pretty hard to cope with, as I know having sat on the bench or been cannon fodder in training for the whole of England’s 1987 RWC.
What I thought interesting, was Joe’s view that drinking is no longer part of the culture of the game at the elite level and many of the young players coming through the system don’t drink.
Denne historien er fra August 27, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 27, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.