Players / My World

Tom
Varndell

/ Leicester Tigers and England

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It’s difficult to escape rugby It’s always there, it’s always constant with all the press and media getting involved whether they’re criticising or praising you, pushing your England claims the next week - It’s constant rugby, rugby, rugby. I don’t think about it away from training. Whether it's the boys feed, or changing nappies to think about and it’s a nice feeling getting away from rugby.

 

I was shitting myself rocking up to my first day’s training. I was only 17 or 18 and one minute you’re with your school friends and then the next you’re thrust into an environment with Martin Johnson and Neil Back and you’re just a skinny little kid it’s very intimidating. It was amazing to be in such ore of these players and I soon sat back and thought I’d better front up if I wanted to be in the team but I remember it being very nerve wracking.

 

I’m no longer insecure I used to be very much a confidence player and when things went bad my head would drop, nothing really makes me feel uneasy anymore.

 

The Australia Tour was my worst nightmare. A high ball in the 1st min – missed that! Getting smashed by Tuqiri, and knocking on almost every ball - I never want to go back there again. It wasn’t a very enjoyable experience but I learned a lot from that point in my life.

 

I got bitched about. I was all over the place. I came back to the club and got farmed out on loan to Bedford. That learning process was brutal but I learned a lot from it. It has taken two years but I have come back a stronger player.

 

I want to build my way back into the England squad I am the top try scorer and I want to play for England again, but I want to be a regular in the England side and after what happened before I don't want to be chucked straight into it again.

 

I’d like to be a teacher. I had a good relationship with my teachers at school and enjoyed being in that environment. I’d probably be doing a teaching degree or something with sport science.

 

I like to listen to a lot of music Before a game, I plug my iPod in, listen to a few tunes, walk around the pitch a few times and do a few kicking and passing drills with Jordan Crane, and just get ready for the game.

 

I really like a big breakfast. I’ll have scrambled or poached eggs, couple of slices of bacon, a bit of toast and a protein shake for breakfast. Then I’d have some pasta with some chicken or steak for lunch and by then another protein shake.

 

I drink about three litres of water before the game. so I’d make up a Diorite mix to help prevent any cramp during game or some Celtic sea salt water. Then I’d head off to the game with a few bananas and it’s job done.