Front Row To The Front Line

Sarries legend Petrus du Plessis Exclusive

- Ross Heppenstall

Saracens legend Petrus du Plessis is no shrinking violet when it comes to taking on a challenge.

The South African prop, who won three Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups with Sarries, recently began a three-month contract at Arran and Ayrshire Hospital in Scotland.

The Glasgow Warriors scrum coach first moved to England to study in 2001 and qualified as a physiotherapist before making his name in professional rugby union.

At a time of crisis, though, the 38-year-old has returned to the NHS ranks in the fight against Covid-19.

Father-of-three du Plessis said: “I initially planned to be in England for only a couple of years, but I soon met with wife Lisa and then qualified as a physio before working in the NHS.

“I played for St Helens, Orrell, and Sedgley Park, but then went full-time at Nottingham before joining Saracens in 2010.

“Brendan Venter rang me and said, ‘from seven o’clock tomorrow morning, you’re a Saracens player!’.