Carre’s enjoying Blues return after being home alone
RHYS Carre has opened up about his lockdown frustration after being stuck in London when the coronavirus pandemic brought life in Britain to a shuddering halt.
The Wales prop forward spent almost three months alone at his home in the English capital after training at his former club Saracens was suspended.
“I was stuck on my own in my flat for 10 weeks without seeing anyone,” revealed the 22-year-old.
His only respite was being able to leave it to work out, explaining: “Every day I had nothing to do so I would get out and do a run or a session to keep ticking over.
“I did not have any access to any sort of equipment. I was just running around the park outside my house and doing bodyweight exercises.
“I missed rugby like you would not believe. It felt like the longest three or four months ever.
“I have been used to group training four or five days a week for the last five years. To be told then for 15 weeks you aren’t doing anything was tough.
“But we are professional athletes so we all know what to do to keep ourselves fit. It wasn’t easy, but we have all come back in decent nick.
“I have been trying to maintain the weight I was at before the World Cup. The intensity has dropped a bit but the weight is still there.
“It is going to take us a week or two to get back in the swing of things and how we were but I think we have a few weeks before games start so I don’t see why we can’t get back in prime condition.”
Carre may have appeared eight times for Wales and the same number for European club kings Saracens, but he declared: “This will be my first proper season as a professional.”
The loosehead prop has returned to Cardiff Blues after just a season at the Champions Cup holders.
He had 19 outings for his home region before leaving for north London but pointed out:
“I have only played 36 games professionally and 80 per cent of those have been off the bench. It is about working as hard as I can this year to try and get as much game time as I can.
“Everyone wants that No.1 jersey and if I can get that shirt consistently it will show I am working hard and playing well.”
Carre made his Wales debut against Ireland ahead of last year’s World Cup in Japan, but it remains his only start.
The powerful ball-carrier came off the bench against Fiji, Uruguay, France, South Africa and New Zealand at the global showpiece and made cameo appearances in this year’s Six Nations losses to Ireland and England.
Those outings have bolstered his belief he has the ability to challenge Wyn Jones, Rob Evans and Nicky Smith for a start in coach Wayne Pivac’s Wales team.
“I wouldn’t say I found it easier because it’s still a massive challenge every time you step on the pitch but I have more confidence because I know I am good enough to be there now. Before, there was some doubts,” confided Carre.
He’s returned to the Arms Park in the wake of Sarries being relegated to the English Championship over salary cap breaches.
“Everything that went on at the club at the back end of last year made it more inviting for me to come back [to Blues}.
And Carre disclosed: “I was always going to come back after two years but I’m coming back a year early. I am happy to come back.
“It will be good to get back out on the pitch with the boys. It seems like it was only yesterday I was here so I don’t think anything will have changed.”
He said he had spoken to Blues coach John Mulvihill and ironed out why he had joined Saracens last year.
“With all that was going on with Welsh rugby at the time and the regions not being able to offer contracts I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to go away and become a better player,” explained Carre.
Asked what he had learnt at Saracens, Carre responded: “It speaks for itself with the players and coaches they have, and how they train.
“Rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Vunipola brothers, George Kruis and Maro Itoje has made me a better player.
“I spoke to Mako Vunipola and Vincent Koch [a World Cup winning prop with South Africa] a lot about scrummaging because they’re such experienced boys.
“Hearing what they had to say was just a different insight into what I had before.”
What did they learn from Carre? “How to be a good bloke... hopefully!” he quipped.
“I wasn’t there long because I didn’t get back from the World Cup until November.
“At the beginning of January I was gone again for the Six Nations and we were all in lockdown after that so I only spent about six weeks training with them.”
Carre believes the signing of lock Cory Hill, who has captained Wales, from neighbours Dragons is a real fillip for the Blues.
“The addition of Cory to the pack this year is going to help us massively. With his lineout ability and leadership skills he will be filling a gap we needed to fill.”
Carre hopes the influence of loosehead prop great Gethin Jenkins, who is part of the coaching staff at the Blues, will rub off on him.
“He was one of a kind when he comes to being the fittest, the most aggressive at the breakdown and best all-round props.
“I sat quite close to him in the changing room when I was coming through. Speaking to him on a daily basis really helped me.
“He has taken up a defensive role at the club and that’s probably one of my work-ons. This year, especially, I’m going to be in his office more times than I can imagine. But I look forward to it and, hopefully, gain some of his knowledge – he’s one of the best.”