My laddish days are over now there’s a Care bear on the way
DANNY CARE: FROM BAD BOY TO PROUD DAD
AT THE time, it came across as an unrestrained expression of jubilation prompted by his part in an act of sporting brilliance. In fact, it was far more profound.
When Danny Care touched down for England during their 6 Nations victory over Ireland at Twickenham in February, he celebrated with understandable gusto.
His reaction appeared in keeping with the majesty of a long-range try, superbly conjured up by his Harlequins team- mates Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown.
Yet a major reason for Care being so animated remained a secret. In the build-up to that match, he had learned that his girlfriend, Jodie, was expecting their first baby. The 27-year- old’s euphoria erupted when he dived between the posts for the decisive score in England’s 13-10 win.
‘We found out a couple of days before the Ireland game, but we kept it quiet,’ Care told Sports
mail. ‘It was definitely in my mind when I scored against Ireland. I didn’t really know what I was doing with the celebration. I just got lost in the moment and all the emotion came out at once.’
Aside from the personal joy, he recognises the wider significance of imminent parenthood. As a player who has spoken candidly in the past about off-field problems which temporarily derailed his career, the arrival of a ‘Care bear’ highlights how times are changing.
Having long since revived his game and cleaned up his act, Care is embracing the greater responsibility that lies ahead. ‘It’s another stage of life,’ he said. ‘I’ve had my lad years, going out and stuff, and this is the next step for me, which I’m excited about.
‘I always thought I’d like to have a family relatively young so that my kids could watch me play rugby, and for them to be proud of me, in a way. My parents rents have always been there ere for me and now I have ve to take on that role, to look after my family.
‘It means you are maturing naturally, knowing you have someone else to play for and make proud. That has always been a big thing for me: trying to make my family mily proud. And now there’s a little Care bear on the way, it’s a special reason to try to play well.’
The news that he has a baby on the way has already prompted a fundamental shift in Care’s plans when it comes to house-hunting. He is in the process of buying a property in Surrey — uncomfortably close to Chelsea’s training ground for a Liverpool fan — but the priorities have altered.
‘It’s weird because I was looking to buy a place anyway when we found out,’ he said. ‘ We had to change the plan. I don’t think the pool table is going to work any more — there will be a cot there instead!’
Two years on from his lowest ebb, Care is flourishing. It has reached the stage where his name is synonymous with stellar deeds for club and country, rather than misdemeanours and controversy.
The 6 Nations was a triumph: a five- match exhibition of his enhanced judgment and control, allied to the trademark exuberance, energy anand pace. His partnership with Owen Farrell became the catalyst for England’s increasingly ambitious attacking play. Inevitably, his soarining status has brought greater attention from rival defences. Last week, Northampton openly savoured their success in nullifying Care on the way to earning a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup final.
He enjoys being respected and regarded as a threat, which in turn means he has to adapt his approach. But he won’t abandon his adventurous streak.
‘I never want to change the way I started playing the game at the age of five or six,’ he said. ‘I love making breaks, running with the ball, scoring tries and creating tries.
‘The great thing with Quins and England is that I am given the licence by the coaches. They always encourage me to have a go, if it’s on, and they will trust me to make the right decision.’
Care has two prime targets before the summer break. Tomorrow, Harlequins must beat Exeter at Sandy Park to retain any hope of snatching an Aviva Premiership play-off place.
Even a win against the Devon club — dangerously wounded from their 55-12 mauling by Sale a fortnight ago — and at home to Bath on May 10 might not be enough for Conor O’Shea’s side to finish in the top four.
‘The good thing for us is that, by Sunday, we’ll know exactly what we’ve got to do,’ said Care. ‘ If Leicester or Bath have lost, there’s still a chance for us to get into the play-offs.
‘We’re still alive, we’ve still got hope and the great thing about this Quins side is that we thrive under pressure. But if we don’t make it into the play-offs, we’d see it as a disappointment.’
When his club duties end, Care will turn his focus to England’s daunting, three-Test tour of New Zealand. It was there, in Auckland in 2008, that he made his international debut.
On that ill- fated trip, England lost heavily on successive weekends, but this time they will travel with considerable hope and a desire to strip away the aura surrounding their opponents.
‘However good they are, they’re not invincible,’ said Care. ‘We beat them two autumns ago at home. They’re a wonderful team, but we have to go down there believing we can hurt them.
‘We’re probably playing a bit differently to what they’re used to when they’ve come up against us. We won’t die wondering. We’ll throw everything at them.’
The country’s leading scrum-half will strive to cap a memorable season by helping England make history in hostile territory on the far side of the world. Then he will head home to prepare for his new role as Daddy Care.