Brave Brad is showing his metal
It’s only half-time for Joshua
REPORTS BRAD BARRITT has always been the type of player to put his body on the line for the cause but the Saracens captain has gone above and beyond this time.
Leading his side out against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium on Easter Sunday, just five days after having a metal plate inserted in his broken left cheekbone, is an act of borderline lunacy which underlines Saracens’ collective desperation to land a Champions Cup hat-trick this season.
When the former England centre left the field against Harlequins on Saturday with a sore neck, he was unaware of the damage that had been caused earlier in the game by a stray elbow.
“I only realised it was fractured later that evening when I blew my nose and it inflated,” he said. “Because it is quite close to the nasal cavity, air that would normally pass through your mouth fills into a pocket in your cheek, so that’s how you determine it’s displaced.
“The marvels of modern science meant that they could operate on it under local anaesthetic. It was much like a routine tooth operation.
“They numbed the side of the mouth, created an incision, used what looks like a shoehorn to pull your cheek back, scraped away to the bone and put in a vertical plate and then drilled it in.
“I was conscious so it was a pretty surreal experience, but I have had a lot more painful things in my day.”
Playing in a Champions Cup quarter-final five days after the procedure sounds like a blatant disregard for his own welfare, but Barritt insists it is no more dangerous for him than any other game.
“I have had a titanium plate put in there which I’m told is now stronger than the other side,” he said. “It is more coping with the pain, but thankfully the surgeon did a great job and it feels good.
“I was very confident going into the full session we have had today, so I’m feeling great.”
If Saracens needed an inspiring lead as they attempt to keep the flag of St George flying in Europe, they have it.
The presence of Barritt alongside Owen Farrell in midfield provides a titanium plate to the Saracens defence and with one half of the axis cleared for action, the holders are now waiting on the green light for Farrell.
He missed the Harlequins game with a thigh strain suffered on England duty but returned to training yesterday and was in good spirits afterwards. Alex Lozowski is on standby but Farrell will be given until tomorrow to prove his fitness.
“Owen is a great player and is in good form at the ANTHONY JOSHUA’S trainer believes his fighter is far from the finished article ahead of his world heavyweight title clash with Joseph Parker. Rob McCracken moment,” director of McCall.
“He had a good Six Nations and was probably one of England’s best players in the competition. We’re hopeful that he’ll play, but if he can’t Alex is a great stand-in.
“I wouldn’t want to play Owen if he’s going to break down and be out for a period of time, but you want your best players to play in these big games.
“Owen hasn’t trained with us for 10 weeks which is not ideal. We will make a says Joshua, 28, is in the middle of his development, having laced up the gloves late at the age of 18.
Joshua meets Parker on Saurday and McCracken said: “I don’t think he’s near his full potential yet. It’s funny with boxers – you go through the start, the middle and the end. He’s still somewhere in the middle said Saracens rugby Mark decision on Friday. His chances are probably 50-50.”
If Farrell plays, the likelihood is the goalkicking duties will be passed onto Alex Goode.
NORTHAMPTON coach Dorian West will follow Jim Mallinder out of Franklin’s Gardens at the end of the season after agreeing a severance package.
ULSTER duo Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding remain suspended pending an investigation by the IRFU despite being cleared of rape at Belfast Crown
Court yesterday. where he totally enjoys it and it’s an adventure for him and exciting. The middle of your career is the best bit because you’re just starting to realise you’re not bad.
“You’re learning things and they’re not too hard to put into practice.
“He’s not at the end when it’s ‘Oh, this is a chore’. And he’s not at the start where he doesn’t know if he’s any good or not.”
EDDIE HEARN wants to sign Deontay Wilder to his Matchroom stable to help clear the path for a £100million potential fight with Joshua.
The promoter has already started to put on shows in America and is now looking to land their heavyweight.
But the move would also help negotiations for a fight between WBA and IBF king Joshua and WBC ruler Wilder.