A Rugby Stereotype

Big, 6ft 8, ugly, dumb, fat man chasing an egg? The old stereotype of rugby players isn’t the most glamorous and most certainly isn’t accurate.
Let me run down the list, big – ok most rugby players are muscly, but there are different somatotypes (body sizes) generally with different positions within a team. Therefore the traditionally bigger guys are within the forwards and the faster players in the backs, with the scrum half ironically being one of the smallest players.  This was until recently when Welsh and Irish scrumhalves, Mike Phillips and Connor Murray have broken the mould both being over six foot.
Next on the list is ugly, people will always have their own views on appearances and generally think of a smashed up face and cauliflower ears, which in some cases is correct. However a lot of rugby players now a days have a huge female fan base, not because of their fantastic skill set that has taken hours of pain and tears but because they are “hot”.
One too many hits on the head? He must be dumb! This in fact is far from correct, a great example is recent British and Irish Lions and Wales star Jamie Roberts who has just graduated with an 8 year medical degree. This means he joins Dr Jack Matthews, Dr Gwyn Jones and JPR Williams who have all completed a medical career with top flight rugby.
Chasing an egg…yes, fat… no. Rugby players go through a strict diet and training programme personally meeting their needs to ensure they are as fit as can be. So much innovation and technology has gone into this that top clubs and international clubs own equipment that searches through a individuals body sending back information to the physiotherapist about ‘slight knocks’ they may have received in training or a game. After weight training they enter a ice chamber or ice baths drawing lactic acid out of the muscles to recover quicker.
All in all the general stereotype of a rugby player couldn't be more inaccurate, as these are the modern day athletes in an ever demanding, money driven game, who will do anything to win.
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