Fronting Up

The life of a Front Row is never easy and often presents challenges that often require help from one of the far more intelligent Rugby specimens, those ladies known as ‘Backs’. Often this advice comes in two forms, namely, what Ruck we should hit next, or (my personal favourite) how we could get into a better body position to scrummage!

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, members of the illustrious Front Row Union (“FRU”) have found themselves at a few loose ends. Rumours have been circling that the Chief Ruck Inspector Walley, has been seen staring at pictures of Rucks on his laptop, wondering when he will next be able to inspect a Ruck ‘up close and personal’.

Before the lockdown started the FRU had a flourishing social scene, which included taking on major challenges in and around London. These challenges, strangely enough, all included food and beer and resulted in our discovering some amazing secret menus, at fine establishments like ‘Dip and Flip’ and ‘Preto #AD’.

However the lockdown has meant the FRU have had no pub, fast food, gym or scrum machine available, as so we have had to adapt our daily lives.

Now, a momentary back-story here, that I doubt will come as much of a surprise to any of you, members of the FRU have never been known for running or any form of cardio and have indeed often been seen faking a hamstring injury when fitness has been mentioned at training (or in Sheps case suddenly finding a large amount of work magically appear on his desk! – NB: Barclays are very lucky to have such a committed hard working member as Matt Sheppard).

I digress, back to the story, so the FRU decided to get together (virtually of course) and set each other some challenges. The first thing that was mentioned was taking part in the couch to 5K. Personally I felt this would be met with some resistance, surprisingly however the challenge was taken on and quickly smashed. Dave Reed set the early pace putting in some major distance and speed and has since completed a half marathon. In true Front row style Shep found a way to continue the hard straight running he has been known for on the pitch and put it into practice on the road (see map). The real surprise package has been our very own Cam Stratton who has been showing some serious gas on Strava with 4 minute Km (Coach, please note).

So far, some serious miles have been done by the FRU and we are hoping with the new season hopefully fast approaching that, the work that has been put in during lockdown will show results on the pitch. The FRU will continue to put together a flourishing virtual social scene during Lockdown with talks of a virtual Poker night and all you can eat (at the same time on screen) challenges on the cards. We hope everyone is staying safe and if anyone is in need of the FRU’s company or support during this time please let us know. Always available…..

-Ali Randall