"I DON'T GO CHASING PBS AT MY AGE-THERE'S NO POINT"

England and Harlequins legend Danny Care talks rugby fitness, the power of positivity, and the one session he never wants to do again

- Danny Care

Renowned for his dynamic style of play, Harlequins stalwart Danny Care – who recently retired from England duty with 101 caps to his name – has established himself as a legend of the game, through a career marked not just by world-class skill, but also resilience and adaptability. 

Despite the acclaim, however, Care remains grounded. His lengthy career in the sport is rooted in a deep understanding of his body and a steadfast positive outlook. Rarely without a smile on his face, the 37-year-old continues to thrive in a sport often thought of as a young man’s game.

Ahead of Harlequins’ recent victory in the Big Summer Kick-Off, he talked us through the conditioning and mindset fundamentals that have ensured his longevity in such a bruising and at times brutal profession.

Men’s Fitness: Talk us through your weekly training routine

Danny Care: We train Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Wednesdays and Fridays off, and play Saturdays. On a Monday you’re running around 3k in training, so in and out of plays and conditioning games. 

Tuesdays are our tough days, which we call our ‘uncompromising days’. That’s a lot of physical work, so longer periods of ball in play that give the lungs a good hit, and some more contact work. I’d run around 5 or maybe 6k on a Tuesday, and we work up to 90% of maximum speed sprints during those sessions. 

Thursday will be our fast day, so probably around 4k of running, but shorter periods of ball in play, but at a higher intensity and with longer recoveries.

MF: How has the strength and conditioning in rugby changed since you first started playing?