sport news 'We've had some amazing Euro wins but this would top the lot': Quins ace Care ... trends now
Sitting on the rooftop of a hotel overlooking Table Mountain, the sun glistening on the ocean below, Danny Care could be a million miles away from the troubled waters of English rugby.
He points out the vineyards enjoyed by some of the players at the start of the week. Over the top of the hillside, he describes the golf course where he teamed up with Joe Marler to beat Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt. ‘We emptied their pockets!’ he says. ‘When Marler connects with the ball, it flies!’
As he sips on a soft drink, reflecting on his teenage years playing for Leeds’ second team at Chandos Park, he can be forgiven for seeing the rugby world through rose-tinted glasses.
‘For someone like me, 36, coming to the end, I’d never have thought I’d go to South Africa on a tour again. It sounds simple but just to feel the sun makes you feel a bit happier. I’ve loved it.’
Turning towards Green Point to pick out the venue for Saturday’s Champions Cup game against the Stormers, he adds: ‘It’s not a bad stadium, is it?’ It is the ground that hosted the 2021 Lions series. Close to 50,000 tickets have been sold. The week-long trip has offered welcome respite from the Premiership.
Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is in Cape Town for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash
‘It’s hard because our fans can’t come and watch it but it’s unique to come out here and try to get to a European Cup quarter-final.
‘We’re playing pretty much a full Springbok team. If you don’t play well against this lot, you’re gonna get battered. You miss not playing for England. You miss playing against the best in tough environments. It’s going to be rocking. We’ve had amazing European away days with this club. We’re not in Europe here but this would probably top the lot if we can get a victory.’
Conversation turns to matters back home. This week, London Irish have been in the news, as US investors stepped in to ease payroll fears ahead of a takeover. England wing Anthony Watson is due in Castres this weekend to explore a move to France and Care, one of the game’s most experienced figures, believes it is time for change.
‘You hear stories about other clubs and it is scary,’ he says. ‘Rugby needs a reset, to take a look at what’s going on. I feel fortunate to be with a club that hopefully isn’t in too much trouble.
‘The game needs to find a way of making more money. England players need to be playing
