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.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2024-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 February 04, 2024-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 can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.