MERRY & JOSEPH
JONATHAN JOSEPH intends to make the most of a Christmas present from his Bath boss Stuart Hooper.
Bath players have been given Christmas Day off despite the proximity of Saturday’s home Premiership clash with Sale.
For a professional sportsman at this time of year, joining the rest of the population in enjoying some downtime is a rare treat. Having just moved into a new house with his partner, Joseph wants to make his first Christmas there a memorable one before returning his mind to the business of the busy sporting festive period.
“I’m going to get battered,” he said. “Run it off Boxing Day and then run out there on Saturday. We’ve got three days to recover – plenty of time!”
After a decade at the sharp end with England and the Lions, Joseph realises a happy player tends to be a better player, especially at this time of year. Winter, particularly at the mushy Rec, is heavy going more suited to the carthorses than thoroughbred centres. “It’s like quicksand out there,” he said. “It suits players like Elliott Stooke and Matt Garvey because they’re not the quickest but for backs, it’s not ideal. I’m not going to lie, it tends to be more exciting when it is a firm ground and the sun is out.” If Joseph had his way, professional rugby union would not be played at this time of year. “I’d love it to be a summer game,” he said. “It would be so much better for the fans and players. It would be such a spectacle.” On Sunday, Joseph was able to show some silken touches as Bath caught fire for the first time this season with a six-try spanking of London Irish. “We’re making strides in the right direction and it’s just a matter of time until things properly click and we’re up there competing,” he said. For Joseph, 28, the New Year resolutions revolve around making that happen and remaining part of Eddie Jones’s plans. “I still want to play for England and I’ll keep pushing to get back into the mix.” His chances have been boosted with the news that Henry Slade is set to miss the start of the Six Nations in February after damaging both ankles in Exeter’s win at Leicester on Saturday.
The centre faces up to six weeks out which means he is likely to miss England’s opening two games in France and Scotland.
Sale boss Steve Diamond has been charged with misconduct over comments he made towards match officials following their European defeat to Exeter. Munster team doctor Jamie Kearns also faces a disciplinary hearing for verbally abusing Jamie George during his side’s match against Saracens.
DANNY RICHARDSON cannot wait to run out for new club Castleford on Boxing Day and start putting a “wasted year” behind him. Richardson, left, was touted as a future England player when he burst on to the scene with St Helens in 2018. But he was left out in the cold by the champions for much of last season, playing just 12 times and featuring on dual registration at Championship Leigh.
The 23-year-old decided a move was the best way to kick-start his career and he will make his Tigers debut in a pre-season clash against Bradford. He said: “What happened at Saints was confusing at first. I’d gone from playing every game the year before, to coming back to pre-season with a bit of an injury, to finding out I wasn’t going to be involved.
“It was a bit of a shock. I trained as hard as I could but nothing seemed good enough, and the lads went on to win the Grand Final so it proved the right decision.
“But I saw it as a bit of a wasted year and I fell out of love with the sport.
“I’m lucky I’ve got a good set of friends and a great family around me, so that the minute I left rugby everything else in my life was fine. But I needed change – I just want to play rugby.”