September 3, 2008

Warlingham RFC’s opponents in London 3 South East will be on their mettle in the scrum in the knowledge that the Surrey club have been coached by England legend Jason Leonard.

Warlingham – who won the Surrey One title in 2006 and followed that up by winning London 4 South West last season – had the benefit of Leonard’s mighty experience and insight at a summer training camp for all their players from 1st XV to Under-16s.

“We all started at junior clubs,” said Leonard, who won 119 caps for England and the Lions including the 2003 Rugby World Cup final victory.

“I know I played the bulk of my career at Harlequins, but I started at Barking, trying to juggle training two or three times a week and playing on a Saturday with holding down a full-time job.

“The big thing I told the players at the training camp is to go out there and enjoy yourselves, whether you are player for Warlingham's 2nd XV or England.

“Natural talent can only take you so far, and the more time you have to train, the better.“

Peter Upton of the Warlingham club welcomed Leonard, who these days combines a business life with serving as a National Member on the RFU Council and the new Professional Game Board, to the club's Hamsey Green ground.

“If there's one rugby player who's been there, done that and bought the T-shirt, it's Jason Leonard,” said Upton.

“Jason's career straddled the amateur as well as the professional era, so he has a real understanding of what it takes to combine rugby training with full-time work or study.”

Constant rain was no impediment to ‘Jase’ as he ran through a set of drills and exercises similar to those he would have used with Quins and England.

Tony Doe, Warlingham's 1st XV team manager, said: "Jason is one of the most respected figures in the game and his presence here has been a huge inspiration to our players, even some of our more experienced guys."

Ends