Life as an international

I've just come across a really excellent warts-and-all article about what its like to be a international rugby player, published in the lead up to today's Wales/England match. It comes from the Western Mail - Wales' "national newspaper" - and features a four-page interview with members of the Welsh squad.

Starting with the different ways in which members of the men's and women's squads are treated (its the little things than rankle, like the way in which the men have kit washed while the women have to take theirs home to wash themselves), to the lack of recognition, to the levels of dedication needed to balance family, jobs and training - a dedication which their coach says "separates the men from the women... the only difference coaching men and women rugby players is that women are more committed."

There is a certain irony that the Welsh should complain about a lack of recognition - this article is considerably longer than any newspaper coverage that England seem to get!