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Gethin talks to Jamie Sawyer
18/02/2011
Seeing as the players are having a well deserved rest. Gethin thought this week he would chat to a man who's job it was to get rugby players into the perfect shape for the game, Jamie Sawyer.
Jamie Sawyer is a strength and conditioning coach, who’s expertise has been seen him work with the likes of David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye and London Welsh RFC to name a few. Through a relationship spanning 6 years, David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye and Jamie Sawyer saw vast success within the boxing world. From being crowned European Cruiserweight Champion, followed by Undisputed Unified Cruiserweight Champion of the World to WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World.
In the summer of 2009 Jamie joined forces with London Welsh RFC resulting in the team finishing 3rd in the Championship league, reaching the semi finals of the promotion play offs plus gaining and maintaining the label of the fittest and most physical team in the league.
This is what Jamie had to say...
G: How much of a battering does a player get in a typical international rugby union match these days?
Sports science has come a long way in the past 15 years. English rugby was one of the first to utilise the expertise of sports scientist and reap the benefits of the application of science to the sport. That being said we saw the likes of Phil Greening turn from an old school overweight hooker to a new age athlete with an engine as big as his heart. This type of adaptation/progression in training methods created bigger, stronger, faster more powerful athletes. This outcome is one desired my players and coaches alike, however, due to the physical prowess of the modern day player the physicality has become devastating. Being pitch side has many similarities to being in the corner for a title fight in the respect that you can fully appreciate just how hard punches are landing and tackles are being made. That sicking sound of leather on a skull resembles that of a ruck! I believe due to the advancement of training knowledge and methodology, a rugby player's career is now shorter than its ever been!
G: There have already been some gruelling encounters in the 6 nations, this 'punishment' on the body must take its toll. How much training will the players be doing in these 2 weeks between games?
You have to appreciate these players are at the top of their game physically and mentally. The rugby season is relentless and hugely demanding, therefore the physical training has to be scheduled with pin point precision. Having two weeks between games means that the majority of players will have to time to simply rest and recover. Due to the nature of rugby, many players live away from home so this time would be partly spent with their families and friends. There is ample time for a player to unwind mentally and physically within the two week period.
I would imagine the first week would be spent like this, maybe receiving some physio, massage, pool recovery sessions. The second week would simply be a fire up week, switching on the skills, opening up the lungs and innovating those muscles. Nothing to create loads of fatigue, remember how fine tuned these guys are, they don't need beasting. They are already beasts. These two weeks will allow not just the scrapes and bruises to heal, but the mind to switch off, just for a while, so as when its time to get back to work, the aches have gone and the hunger is there to smash the French back to Paris!
G: I read a report saying that the impact between the front rows at scrum time is the equivalent to a small car crash. What is the worst injury that you've witnessed?
I've seen a few, lots of concussions. I remember Simon Whatling sending a bone crunching tackle on Seb Jewel knocking himself out in the process! The worse was Tom Brown, now player at Cardiff Blues. In a game vs Cornish Pirates on a cabbage patch of a ground, he was gang tackled resulting in a turn over, which was for me the instant recognition that he'd been injured. He'd fully ruptured his MCL ligament of his knee, along with his cruciate ligament. Needless to say he was stretchered off the pitch and his season was over, however his career wasn't and is now making heads turn at number 8 for the Blues.
G: You've been part of some very successful sporting 'teams' - where your job was to get the boxer/rugby player/athlete in the best possible condition for the event. Has what the players do off the pitch in terms of rest and recovery become almost as important as what they do on it?
More and more research is now showing that recovery is as important as training. If you don't recover you can't train effectively, if you can't train effectively you'll be left behind in the gym and on the field.
Being a pro athlete is a lifestyle choice, not just a job. Everything the player does outside of rugby has a consequence. Players at the top of their game don't just rely on natural talent, they make sure that they eat, drink, sleep, take the right supplements, follow the correct out of season programs and take part in recovery sessions properly. These things on their own won't make a huge visible difference, but constantly combined together, over time, they will and in a high level sport, the smallest progression can make the difference between winning and loosing.
G: If a player is not properly prepared for a game, or is carrying an injury, I imagine the consequences can be pretty horrific?
There is nowhere to hide in a rugby team, if you don't prepare properly, you'll soon be found out and its not a pretty sight.
In terms of carrying injuries, a player is always being fixed to be broken again so a player playing on with an injury is quite a common sight.
I know you're a big rugby fan. So give me your prediction on the game that could decide the championship this year.. England v France?
Momentum in rugby is a huge aspect, coming off the back of two impressive wins alongside being well rested and re focused I think we will see a great display from England. Chris Aston's pace and ability to run near perfect lines will be a task well beyond the French defence. I also think we saw the start of James Haskell's return to his old ways so I expect him to run the ball more, a man tough to stop! I see his confidence spilling over into his rucking skills, creating turn overs and fuelling the demise of the French discipline.
With flood on top form, Cueto having the taste of scoring back in his mouth, the thought of Sheridan being fit and all being led by a great captain in Tindle, I think France won't be able to cope with our pace, clinical tactics and desire. If France's discipline slips (which I'm sure it will) I see Flood sealing a decent victory alongside 1 maybe 2 swallow dives. I think a higher scoring game than last year, 23-12 is my prediction!
www.jamiesawyer.co.uk
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