‘Rugby teaches you a lot on and off the pitch’

James Tirrell played rugby for Saracens and was also called-up to England Sevens and played for England U20s.

He works with Saracens Academy focusing on the Developing Player Programme, and is director of rugby at Letchworth RFC.

What age did you decide you wanted to play rugby as a career?

Well, firstly, I went to Hitchin Boys’ School and started playing rugby there. My brothers had also played at Hitchin Boys’. I guess it must have been when I was 14 and I played for the county. I got picked up by Saracens so I went into the EPDG (Elite Player Development Group) and from there I loved the game, joined Letchworth and carried on playing.

Did you have any knock-backs?

Yes, leaving school I got a contract with Saracens but unfortunately I damaged my knee and I have had five knee operations and I have just damaged my knee again so I have another operation coming up. You are always going to get knock-backs in sport so it makes you resilient. So in a way, it’s not a bad thing.

What are the good and bad things about playing rugby?

The good thing is playing with your mates every day, running around. It’s something you love doing and it keeps you healthy. You learn good core values on and off the pitch and you get to eat a lot! I guess the negative is getting injured; it’s never good and you don’t get bank holidays off or Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

What was your proudest moment playing rugby?

It was playing at school when we had a Year 10 team. We were all best mates and the season was one of the best rugby seasons I have had and we won most of the matches that we played, it was really good. Then obviously travelling; through rugby I have travelled to some amazing places like Dubai, Bangkok, Australia and all of Europe. And also putting on a Saracens shirt and an England shirt were again good moments.

How do you keep track and manage the two roles with Letchworth and Saracens?

It does take a lot of my time up, it’s tough. I’m busy most weekends, Monday night, Tuesday night, Thursday night. So yeah, it’s pretty busy. How do I manage it? I don’t know, I just kind of get on with it.

What main skills do you look for in a talented rugby player?

For Saracens now, I work within the academy and a lot of it is down to child development and talent ID. First I look for whether they work hard. They have to work hard and that’s on and off the pitch. Somebody who is driven and works hard off the ball. Also I look for social skills. I look for kids who are asking questions, answering questions and who are talking on and off the pitch. If they have them two traits, you know they are engaged and are going to develop. On top of that I then look for their point of difference - what does that kid have that makes them unique. Does that child have a really good pass? Or a really good kicking game? Anything else like that. Lastly, athletic potential. Can that person move well, is that person quick or is that person going to be a massive beast?

What advice do you have for the kids who want to play rugby?

Definitely get into it. Just work hard and love the sport. The sport teaches you a lot on the pitch and off the pitch. If you look at Saracens’ core values they are: wokrate, discipline, humility and honesty, and then if you look at the RFU’s core values it’s something like: respect, sportsmanship, teamwork, enjoyment and discipline. So these core values could be used anywhere: in your studies, in work, in life at home. For me the benefits of rugby are these core values that separate us from most other sports. We are better than football, we are going to teach them what’s right and what’s wrong. I would say get into rugby as it does teach you lots on and off the pitch, it makes you a good person.

What was your diet like?

Nutrition is very important, it’s important to have a well-balanced diet. I think it’s something like a fist size of protein, a handful of carbohydrates and two handfuls of colourful veg. So that’s another thing rugby does, It teaches you to eat well.

How do you feel about England in the World Cup?

I’m a little bit heart-broken. I just think it’s a massive missed opportunity to show what rugby is about.

Is there anything you’re aiming for in the future?

Yes, coaching is my career now. I want to be the best coach I can be, whether that’s in development rugby or in professional elite rugby. Time will tell. I hope to give back to the sport and bring kids through and help someone else reach their dream.