"I remember getting eating guidelines for Christmas Day!"

CHRISTMAS, the most wonderful time of the year? Not if you’re a professional rugby player it’s not.

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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.