Andy Farrell exclusive - The Faz Files... |
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In the first instalment, the former Great Britain captain reveals his thoughts in the build-up to the game on Monday night and the sense of relief at getting through the game and his return to training on Tuesday morning…. I'm a bit sore and tired, but I woke up this morning with a massive sense of accomplishment. Much has been written and said about my injury problems over the last year, but to finally get back on the pitch and do what I'm paid to do was a huge relief. It's going to be good to be able to concentrate on playing rugby and not worry about my body. I was pretty anxious in the build-up to the game. The day did seem to drag on yesterday and the worse thing about that is it gives you too much time to think. Lots of things went through my mind. I think the biggest thing was just not knowing what would happen with the first tackle, the first pass or the first scrum. Would my body hold up OK, how quick would the game be or would I be singled out by the opposition. I had a spell at Wigan and Great Britain where I went eight years without missing a match, so having never really had a long-term injury, I didn't know if these doubts were normal. Luckily, I had a chat with Richard Hill before the game which did calm my nerves a little bit - but not that much. I've been working quite a lot with Hilly, in the video room and out on the pitch, not just because he's a world class player in the back row but also as he and I have shared a lot of time together in the Physio room over the past 12 months. He should be back soon aswell which is great news for him and the club. Thankfully, those anxious feelings went in the opening few minutes of the game and I didn't really have much else to think about as it was all happening very quickly. I've spent a lot of time studying rugby union, the position of blind side flanker and what are my roles and responsibilities. In the past few weeks I've really put that into practice on the training field but nothing can recreate that match environment. If you were to ask me how you think I did in the game, I'd say I was very pleased to get 65 minutes of rugby under my belt and it was nice to score a try (thanks Cairnsy), but I've also realised there is a lot to work on. I've not had the chance to sit down with Alan and the other coaches just yet to go through the video of the match, but I already know there were some areas such as defending on the opposition scrum that will need attention. But the aim for me last night was just to play and get the monkey off my back of not having played a game of union. Although, having been out of action for so long, to get in a few big hits was a fantastic feeling - there was 18 months of frustration coming out last night. A lot of things have been going through my head since the game. My initial thought was being bloody annoyed that we didn't win the game! I don't like losing and I thought we had the chances to win it. But then the relief just kicked in. There were times when I started to wonder if I'd ever get back on the pitch again so this was a very big day for me. Now I've got it out of the way I can concentrate on doing what I love. I now feel part of the club. Don't get me wrong, the support and help I've been given from everyone at Saracens has been fantastic and they've really stood by me, but deep down, it felt wrong to call myself a Saracens player having not made it onto the pitch. Waking up this morning, I remember what I'd been missing for all those months as the aches and pains kicked in. I'd booked in a massage appointment for first thing and it felt good. I suppose the questions on most people's lips this morning was did I come through OK and yes, I feel fine. I've answered that a few times today and I've not minded one bit. I'll be back on the training field on Wednesday as the build-up starts to the Newcastle game on Sunday but I'll talk more about that tomorrow. Faz |
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