Tom admits he Wood love to stay at Saints beyond his playing days

Tom Wood says he would love to have a role at Saints after he retires from rugby.
Tom WoodTom Wood
Tom Wood

But the indefatigable flanker has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.

Saints boss Chris Boyd recently told this publication that he expects Wood, who has started in 19 of the club's 23 games this season, to play on for at least another campaign.

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And Wood is still loving life in professional rugby, admitting the feeling of playing at Franklin's Gardens is like nothing else.

He said: “Obviously, the adrenaline you get from playing in front of a partisan crowd is something you can’t replace, and what that looks like post-rugby – I have no idea.

“I’d love to have a role here even after my playing days are done, but I intend to stay local when I retire so I’ll always have a connection to the club, even if it’s just as a fan.”

Wood admits he is using the current hiatus from rugby, caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, to practice for his own retirement.

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The 33-year-old is in his 10th year at Franklin’s Gardens and midway through a testimonial season.

But while he still feels as strong on the pitch as ever, he knows the sun will one day set on his glittering professional career.

And with many athletes struggling mentally with the prospect of building a new life for themselves away from sport as they transition into retirement, Wood knows the current situation presents a unique opportunity for him.

“I’ll be honest, because I’m in the twilight of my career now, I’m using this break as a mock retirement,” Wood said.

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“All those challenges that come when you retire – not having the changing room, not having the banter, not having the boys around you or the structure of a daily routine – I’m practicing separating myself from that emotionally and physically.

“No-one really knows how they are going to deal with those things until you retire, so I’m using this as a dummy run and making sure that I have some structure in my day.

“We’re still limited in what we can go and do, but in terms of being apart from the rest of the team and making sure I’m productive, I’m practicing those things a little bit.”

But one thing the flanker admits he cannot recreate as he trains in the back garden is the unique roar of the Franklin’s Gardens crowd.

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“I’m actually getting the Mrs and the kids to give me a big cheer every time I bring a new chopping board out of my workshop!” he joked.

With his spare time usually spent toiling alone in his workshop, Wood insists self-isolation has come ‘pretty naturally’ to him.

Saints’ strength and conditioning team send over daily bodyweight circuits to complete at home, alongside getting out once a day with his family for a run or cycle.

But the 50-cap England international knows how important it is to get back to playing rugby as soon as is safe to do so for players, supporters and the club alike.

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Wood said: “All the players’ bodies have really appreciated a week or two out of the trenches, but now I think everyone is itching to get back out there.

“The public will be hearing about salary reductions, about the club operating with reduced staff for the time being and being under some real financial pressure if this goes on too long.

“So we’re eager to get back out there. Everyone realises how much they miss rugby, and sport in general now that it’s been taken away.

“Training and doing press-ups in the back garden are one thing, but it’s got to be for a purpose, and we want to be getting out onto the pitch at Franklin’s Gardens as a team and performing.”

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