Page 16 - Crusaders v The Lions

Watson made his debut for England – – and and scored – – in in their 38-7 victory over the the Crusaders in in 2014
The Super Rugby sides are next on on Watson’s hit list And while he he hopes to have better days than that rst outing he he was grateful for just being out out there An injury-ravaged season meant that despite his form last year as as as part of the England side that built up an an 18-game winning run his time on the treatment table threatened to keep him out of selection contention “It has de nitely been a a a a a tough year I’d get get a a a a a a a run of two or three games
and then get get injured ” says Watson whose injuries have included hamstring problems as as well as as a a a a a a a a a a more serious broken jaw – a a a a a a a a a a a a setback that saw him living on an an an abundance of mashed-up ice cream and protein shakes “I had to to learn to to channel my frustration and and just focus on on trying
to get get back out there playing and and get get some games
in in the the the Six Nations I tried to to nd a a a a way to to bene t t t t t t t t t t from the the time off by improving things like my speed and skills ” Despite those challenges Watson’s perseverance paid off as as he he managed to make the last two games
of of England’s successful 2017 Six Nations campaign “To tour with
one of your
best mates at at club level and and with
England is amazing ” scoring his his 13th international try in in in in his his comeback game game against Scotland And while injury has limited his recent game game time so so admired is is is is Watson by by rugby fans for his speed and athleticism
that few raised an an an an eyebrow when Warren Gatland gave him the the nod for the British & Irish Lions For Watson though the the the wait to have his name called out during the the of cial squad unveiling was quite literally unbearable With player selection revealed alphabetically rather than by position his heart rate had had to endure a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a longer wait than he he he had had anticipated “After training at at at Bath the the the entire team had packed themselves around the the the television to watch the squad announcement ” Watson recalls “When I I realised the the selection was announced alphabetically I I had to to leave the the room as as as it it was getting a a a a a a a a bit too intense “But luckily I I had had some friends text me me on on on my mobile to say I I had had made the the squad The guys on on on on the the the phone were somehow ahead of the the the loop on on on the the the TV They started sending me me me messages saying I was was in in in in and then suddenly there was was was all this cheering back from the the the the lads in in the the TV room It was was pretty cool but a a a a a a a real tense moment ” Watson is is one of three players from English Premiership club Bath to make the cut with
Welsh number eight Taulupe Faletau and and English centre and and best friend Jonathan Joseph Joseph the the other two Touring with
Joseph Joseph is particularly special for Watson – the pair were housemates until earlier this year and and have played for both club and and country together “To tour with
with
one of your
best mates at at at club level and and with
with
England is amazing ” Watson says His rst room-mate on on tour wasn’t Joseph however but rather Scottish fullback Stuart Hogg “He’s a a a a good
16 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME