DUBAI // Three leading players from England’s Six Nations winning squad took their mind off the busy run-in to the season by providing a coaching clinic for junior players in Dubai on Friday.
Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood and Kyle Sinckler leant their expertise to a group of around 40 boys and girls from Dubai Hurricanes at Lapita Hotel in Dubai Parks and Resorts.
The trio made the most of a rare break in domestic competition, brought about by the absence of their respective sides from European competition, by heading to the UAE for a week of rest and recuperation.
Kyle Sinckler offers some advice to a junior player. Reem Mohammed / The National
“It is bittersweet because we are not in the [European Champions Cup] quarter-finals as a Saints team,” said Wood, the Northampton Saints and England flanker.
“The first prize is to be out there playing in those big games in European rugby, but this was our only chance of a rest.
“We have a big run-in at the end of the season, so this was a chance to get away, get some sun, and come and help the kids out.
“I remember as a kid going to my junior club and having [former England No 8] Dean Richards hand out the trophies, and looking up to this giant of a bloke and thinking, ‘I’d love to do that one day.’ Hopefully if we can provide a little bit of that for these kids, it will be a huge positive.”
Tom Wood with Dubai Hurricanes juniors. Reem Mohammed / The National
During their down time, it is easy to think the players’ minds may have wandered for the forthcoming selection of summer tour squads, for England to Argentina, or the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand.
Sinckler, the Harlequins tight-head prop, said he has found other things to focus on during his week-long stay in Dubai.
“I’ve been focusing on trying not to eat too much food, because as a front rower you can get a little bit carried away,” Sinckler said. “It has even a great trip for me, just trying to relax.”
The break also gave the players time to reflect on the Six Nations success, and also the end of their record-equalling 18-match winning streak.
Courtney Lawes with Dubai Hurricanes juniors. Reem Mohammed / The National
Lawes said the England players can look back with pride on their achievements, even if they did eventually lose out on a second consecutive Grand Slam after losing to Ireland in Dublin.
“It is obviously disappointing not to win all the games, but it is a fierce competition,” Lawes said.
“The fact of the matter is we won the most games out of anyone, we won the most points, and we have to be proud of that.
“We deserved to win the competition, even though we didn’t get the grand slam. Fair play to Ireland, but we will take the Six Nations title and move on and hopefully get better.”
pradley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
