Professional rugby is becoming increasingly a game of numbers. Pounds, euros, carried meters, kick percentages, and set-piece effectiveness. Some of it is beneficial information, while other portions clutter the mind. It is also important to remember that one of a top player’s greatest strengths cannot be completely quantified. According to an old proverb, it is not the size of the canine that matters, but the size of the dog’s fight.
In other words, you can be the greatest athlete in the world, possessing the most chiseled physique and the highest gym scores. And it is still possible to be swept away by the boundless competitiveness and interior drive of the insanely committed. Sunday’s performance by Leicester’s Mike Brown as man-of-the-match against Premiership leaders Saracens is an exceptional example.
For those who missed it, Brown’s performance in the Premier League eleven months after his last appearance was astounding. He has not been a part of an England training squad since 2019, but he and Leicester enjoyed a thrilling afternoon despite his absence. Seldom has a player on his debut forged such an instant bond with the Tigers fans and displayed such fervor for the cause on the field.
For this reason, as part of the story, we all wrote down the same number. His age is 37. In the first half, he was joined by Jimmy Gopperth (39) and Chris Ashton as Leicester tore apart Saracens (35). Ben Youngs, the English player with the most appearances, is 33 years old and almost qualifies as a rookie in comparison. Alex Goode, Brown’s longtime rival for the national No. 15 jersey, was in the opposing backline. At age 35, Goode remains the most intelligent operator.
Leicester’s seniors prove heart and soul are ageless
So much for the conventional wisdom that contemporary rugby is primarily a sport for those under 30 years old. When we asked Brown for his opinion on the matter, our dictaphones were in danger of melting as we spoke with him. “I believe it sends a message,” said the former England fullback. “Do not disregard individuals. Everyone appears desperate to dismiss individuals and expect them to crawl away and die somewhere.”
He went on to cite, among others, LeBron James and Tom Brady as enduring examples from other sports. And he could have just as easily mentioned Johnny Sexton, Alun Wyn Jones, or any of the other stalwarts still vying for the Rugby World Cup this year. He stated, “We work unbelievably hard.” People do not see what we and our families go through behind closed doors to be able to do what we do. And this occurs every day. We don’t just show up and party with our friends.”
Hence Brown’s anger when Harlequins “wrote me off due to my age” and dismissed him after 14 years in 2021. After a brief stint with Newcastle, the salary cap made it more difficult for him to secure another Premier League position. Eliza, his supportive wife, and he have had to delve deep. “I did a lot of training in the park by myself,” he said.
“She is an extraordinary woman who makes it possible for me to do such things. Four weeks ago, we gave birth to our second child, who is now four weeks old. We also have a five-year-old, so there are times when chaos reigns. It’s difficult for her when I commute up here.”
Leicester’s head coach
The good news is that Richard Wigglesworth, Leicester’s head coach, played until he was 39 and has no patience for age-based stereotypes. Wigglesworth believes that each player should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, stating, “There are some players who, at age 35, fall off a cliff, but they’re not the professional ones or the ones who have been fortunate with injury.”
“It takes a very skilled professional to play as Mike did. But age is not a limitation. I’ve been in that situation several times. You almost revert to being a young player; you are constantly required to prove yourself. Except that you have an excuse as a child. “He’s over the hill” refers to a person who is old and has poor performance.
Among other things, advancements in post-game recovery have made an enormous difference. The diligent athlete who takes care of their physique can significantly extend their career. And if the body is amenable, the mind typically completes the remainder. Brown stated, “I just needed someone like Wiggy to give me the opportunity.” “It’s great to be back to doing what I love. As I have been telling anyone willing to listen, I am still willing and able to contribute. It is an ancient Roy Keane phenomenon.
I’m just doing my job, aren’t I?”
It makes days like Sunday all the more precious. “We are all aware that if things had gone wrong, people would have said we were too old,” Brown said. “However, individuals do not always recognize the value of having older athletes around. People are observing what they do to prepare and are listening to what they say. It’s similar to having a second coach.”
Being in Leicester was a reminder that elite sport is about more than youthful exuberance, new blood, or the most recent gym statistics. It is also about the heart and spirit, as well as the struggle against the dying of the light.
