Paul Gustard does not look like a man laden with regrets. If anything, on a chilly lunchtime in the first week of 2019, he appears happier than he did in almost three years as England’s defence coach. “There will be no green-eyed monster,” insists Harlequins’ head of rugby when asked how he will feel if England come good at this year’s Rugby World Cup. “If they win the World Cup will there be a tinge of disappointment? No.”
Easy to say now, but is he entirely sure? Turning down the ultimate rugby adventure in favour of daily 4.45am starts and commuting around the M25 to Guildford is not everyone’s route to personal nirvana. Then again, Gustard has never been a fan of doing the blinding obvious. Sitting in the bar of the Surrey Sports Park, listening to him fondly recalling the day Dean Richards stubbed out a cigar on his chest on the Leicester team bus, is to be further reminded the 42-year-old has always preferred a life less ordinary.
Written by Robert Kitson
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/04/paul-gustard-england-world-cup-harlequins-newcastle-premiership under the title “Paul Gustard: ‘All I wish for England is for them to win the World Cup’”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
