Secret of Care’s success? Cookies and cakes!

ANYONE on a diet, look away now. Danny Care has shared the secrets of his career longevity and let’s just say the England scrum-half isn’t forced to follow the strictest of regimes. ‘More cookies,’ joked the Harlequins veteran, 37. ‘I’ve always been lucky in that I’ve not been massively into nutrition and believed fully in it, which the nutritionists hate me for.

‘I’m 37 and I like to think I’ve shown an alternative way of doing it. Rather than all the protein and the supplements… burgers and cakes! Cookies and saunas. Why not, if it works?’ Care brings a light-hearted attitude to his work these days, which has served him so well. He is expected to start against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, after Alex Mitchell’s untimely injury which has ruled the Northampton No 9 out of the remainder of the Six Nations. England head coach Steve Borthwick knows he can rely on a familiar and popular figure who will move to within one cap of a Test century in Edinburgh. Care’s national service began almost 16 years ago, so what has kept him going? Part of it is physical. ‘I’ve put a bigger emphasis on my recovery in the last few years,’ he said. ‘I feel better now than four or five years ago. I know my body more and

I know what I need to do to be ready to peak on Saturday. ‘We’re in this amazing five-star spa which helps. The sauna and the ice bath are our best friends. It’s amazing when you’ve got that on your doorstep — and I’ve got time to do it. When I’m at home, I can’t just nip out to “recover”, my wife would… well, she wouldn’t be my wife any more! But when you’re here and you’ve got the best strength and conditioning guys, nutritionists, everyone and it’s all for you, you can be selfish.

‘I can’t help but run around as fast as I can for as long as I can. I love it. And I know I need to do that to feel zippy and energetic. If there’s a ball out there, I’m chasing it.’

For Care (right), there has also been a mental aspect to his late-career resurgence. He thought his time was up with England after being hauled off before half-time in Sydney during their tour of Australia in 2022, so everything since has been a bonus. He was a joyful presence at the recent World Cup because he is no longer gripped by anxiety about his place. ‘I feel more liberated,’ he said. ‘I feel free, I feel like I can just enjoy it. I feel a big part of this team. You never know which game is going to be the last one so in a way that gives me freedom to be myself and enjoy it.’

A 100th cap could be Care’s prize against Ireland at Twickenham on March 9. ‘To play for England once is the biggest honour, if I could do it 100 times it would be incredible,’ he said. ‘But myself and Coley (Dan Cole) remind ourselves every day, not just to take it game by game, but day by day. My goal this weekend is to do my best for the team and try to get us a win.’ The hostility at Murrayfield is something Care will savour. ‘I can’t wait for this game,’ he said. ‘They make everything difficult from the bus ride in, with the bagpipes to slow you down to make you walk a bit further, but I love it. I am dying to experience that, probably for the last time. I am going to embrace it and try to enjoy it.’ lOLLIE

Lawrence is set to reinforce England’s midfield against Scotland. The Bath centre missed the first two rounds with a hip injury but is set to be deployed next to Henry Slade at the expense of Fraser Dingwall.