Nation’s 100-cap heroes How it feels to reach three figures for your country

Jason Leonard Rugby Union

I knew that I would have to come clean one day and admit that I was a secret trainer. Far from being just a big-hearted, big-bodied ‘‘Fun Bus’’ prop forward, I would never have got anywhere near a century of Test caps if I had not put in a hell of a lot of work. Jerry Guscott and I would do sessions together over and above anything that England or our clubs had scheduled.

Some people used to say to me that it must have got easier the older I got, that my experience, especially as a prop, would count for so much in selection. Let me tell you, it got harder. Clive Woodward certainly was not in the business of giving caps away and Eddie Jones will not be either. Ben Youngs will have had to prove himself again and again. That is how I approached it and I can see that Ben has that same desire and dedication to succeed. Above all, you have got to retain your enthusiasm for the game.

Tony Russ was my first coach at Saracens as a 19-year-old and by the time I came across him again when he was Harlequins Academy coach I was in my thirties. He said to me one evening after a Quins session: “Jason, you’re the same as ever – first st out there and the last back in.” I told d him it was because e I loved being with my mates.

Mind you, as our ur training warm-ups s got longer I remember saying to Clive towards the end that I could not ot do a long warm-up p and a match.

To be fair, Clive e agreed with me. It t is all about body management as you ou get older.