We don’t get time off like the rest of the world. Our offices don’t shut down for ten days after an all-you-can-drink Christmas party for you to kick back with family and eat and drink yourselves into a daily nap. We keep training and we keep playing, all to keep you entertained. You’re welcome!
In all seriousness, the festive period, for loads of reasons, is really dangerous and a lot of players I know absolutely hate it.
You know that in that period you will likely play twice at least, perhaps on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, which means there really is no room to let your hair down at all. I mean, it could be worse. We could be the NFL, which makes its players turn out on Christmas Day, but it’s not fun for us rugby players.
Firstly, it’s the time away from family and friends. While everyone else is meeting up, exchanging presents and having fun, we’re still plugging away. If you’re playing on Boxing Day, which I did quite a bit in my career, you would be in on the 24th, Christmas Eve, doing a team run.
Denne historien er fra January 2025-utgaven av Rugby World.
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Denne historien er fra January 2025-utgaven av Rugby World.
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
ALL EYES ON ROSS
OSS VINTCENT sees a lot of similarities between Exeter and Italy, the two teams for whom he struts his powerful, dynamic stuff. The 22-year-old No 8 recognises the crossover in age profile and mentality but is also well aware of the potential shared pitfalls, having been part of a young Chiefs group's struggles to back up an impressive breakout campaign.
BABY BLEU
Léo Barré is the latest in a line of young French stars hoping to bury the blues of last season's World Cup
Tom Voyce
RW pays tribute to the late England wing who was a key part of Wasps' golden era
"Scotland v Ireland is key to the whole shooting match"
Selection for the Lions four will hinge greatly on the Six Nations, says Stephen Jones. So who are the bolters who can force their way in?
Spanish steps
It's a new era for los Leones and their impressive coach Pablo Bouza - and only qualification for the 2027 World Cup will do
OLD PRIORIAN RFC
Giving grass-roots rugby the love that it deserves....
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MEL DEANE
I WAS at Wasps as a youngster, then signed for Richmond as a pro when I finished university in 1996. I played in Richmond's 106-12 win over Bedford in 1999 - still the biggest-ever Premiership victory.
MY RUGBY WORLD WITH STUART MCINALLY
The ex-Scotland captain turned commercial pilot on Blair Kinghorn, lucky boxers and a famous try
"YOU'RE A LONG TIME RETIRED"
After a ten-year hiatus, Rugby World editor Joe Robinson strapped the boots back on and returned to the rugby field
DOWNTIME WITH... Helena Rowland "I'd love to learn the fiddle and play country music"
The Loughborough and Red Roses star on violin playing, air fryers and historical fiction
