'I like their kit, like where they play, like the place they are from... I might be a good fit': Danny Care names the MLR team he would love to play for
Life doesn’t stand still for long in rugby. This time last week, Danny Care emerged as a hotly-tipped left-field selection for the 2021 Lions tour and this week he has been chewing the fat with ex-England colleague Ben Foden about whether he might some time join the former Northampton full-back and ex-Harlequins teammate Chris Robshaw in America’s Major League Rugby.
With Ben Youngs publicly revealing he was unavailable to tour South Africa with the Lions, it resulted in huge momentum being generated last week in England about the Lions credentials of Care and whether an excellent renaissance with Harlequins could get the half-back into Warren Gatland’s Lions selection despite being last capped by Eddie Jones in November 2018.
His name appeared in numerous unofficial eve-of-squad-announcement selections but when it came to Lions chairman Jason Leonard announcing the names of the 37-strong squad last Thursday the name of Care was nowhere to be seen.
The 34-year-old soon got back to work, though, with Harlequins, helping the London club he joined in 2006 to the weekend Gallagher Premiership win over Wasps that consolidated their push for an end-of-season playoff place. That title challenge has been enormously helped by Care’s rejuvenated form in the wake of his early 2021 show of loyalty – within days of Paul Gustard’s departure last January as director of rugby, Harlequins announced a contract extension for Care whose last appearance for a club other than the Londoners was 15 years ago with Leeds.
However, on a guest appearance with Foden on The Rugby Clubhouse, which is part of The Rugby Network’s growing coverage of rugby in America, Care hinted he might be interested in giving the MLR a shot before he eventually retires, quipping that he can’t fare as badly as his old pal Robshaw has done this year at San Diego Legion.
Danny Care, the last OG Harlequins stalwart ? pic.twitter.com/iQZIoxMMEb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 6, 2021
“I’d hopefully have a bit more success than Robbo,” he chuckled when quizzed by Foden about whether he might ever be tempted to come to America. “Is it one game, one tackle and one dislocated shoulder? Surely it couldn’t be much worse than that. We look at it [MLR] over here and it’s something that I have never really thought about.
“I have never really thought about playing abroad until I saw the LA Giltinis team and I was like hang on, I like their kit, I like where they play, I like the place that they are from and I might be a good fit. Or if it’s not the Giltinis, it’s definitely something I would have a look at.
“From speaking to you, hearing from you, you see Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper over there at the moment, it looks awesome, it looks fun rugby. I love the commentators – the commentators are brilliant, the English could take a leaf out of their book. So yeah, definitely, you never know. I have got one more year at Harlequins signed up. I’m enjoying my rugby, I feel fit, I feel fresh, I feel like I have got a few more years left in the tank.”
Could we see @dannycare making a move to MLR? ?? ??
Watch the full episode of The Rugby Clubhouse now @therugbynetwork @ben_foden ? pic.twitter.com/GhAYTsjMg3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 10, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments