Spending three months away from work was problematic for some of the players but I was very fortunate. I was working for a subsidiary of Midland Bank, on a graduate trainee scheme, and they very kindly agreed to pay me in full and the only concession was that I used one week of my annual holiday allowance. I thought that was a pretty good deal!
By the time I felt well enough to start training, there had already been a couple of games, so I was always in a race against time to make it for the Test series. I played in eight games and the highlight would be the hat-trick I scored against South West Districts. JJ Williams got six that day, so nine tries came down the same flank. As I got fitter and fitter, I pushed myself too hard and tweaked my hamstring. I thought it would be okay after a week or two but it never really got better, not to the point that I’d be considered for the Test series anyway.
The Lions is the pinnacle, it’s what you dream about growing up. It was obviously disappointing not being involved in the Tests but, by the same token, getting there and being in that environment was still a heck of a thing. For me, the Lions at that time were the closest you’d get to professional rugby with the way that it was managed by Willie John McBride and Syd Millar. We’d be training every day, and it would be taken very seriously, and we’d have the best food available; nothing was too much trouble for us and the players were always put first. I think Fran Cotton had steak every meal – breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Denne historien er fra July 25, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra July 25, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.