By Sunday Mercury
January 29 2008

Moseley's James Rodwell is glad to have finally put the fizz back into his rugby - because he fears his family drinks business will go flat. Not long ago the No 8 contemplated quitting the game completely after being harshly overlooked by Birmingham University selectors.

Rodwell, who has a degree in commerce, considered hanging up his boots to concentrate on supplying alcoholic beverages for his dad's firm.

But, after overcoming a severe knee injury, his glass is definitely half full rather than half empty when it comes to his love of the game.

Ironically, Rodwell's snub by student selectors came because he refused to drink enough during the university team's social outings! I seriously thought about packing in rugby when I was at university because I became completely disillusioned with it," he said.

"I'd played in my school team and county teams and done well down in Hertfordshire, where I'm from. But, for some reason, even though I was training with the university team I kept getting overlooked.

"Sometimes when these things are being decided by fellow students it's not always done on ability. It was more the all-round social side and whether you were prepared to go out and make a fool of yourself on the first night.

"I wasn't, so I didn't get called up and it really frustrated me at first. I did think about quitting but someone suggested going along to Moseley and my dad persuaded me to do it."

Bizarrely, the words of encouragement from Rodwell's father might have convinced the Moseley man to turn his back on the family business.

As part of his full-time role at Billesley Common, Rodwell now runs rugby courses in local primary schools and sees coaching as a probable career choice.

"Although my family run a business supplying drinks to pubs and restaurants, the drinks trade is struggling at the moment and suppliers find it difficult to compete with supermarkets," he said. "I'm not ruling out going into it and my degree fits in with that, but I'm really enjoying my rugby again now and I'm trying to go as far as my playing and coaching takes me."

After linking up with Moseley's under-19 colts in 2002, Rodwell soon progressed to the first team at Billesley Common.

The 23-year-old's energy and pace have since earned him a reputation as one of the most promising number eights at National One level. Sadly, an important season for Rodwell was ruined before it got going when he ruptured his knee in the opening-day win at Nottingham.

But after three weeks on crutches and a further month and a half in plaster he recently finished four months of rehabilitation.

Rodwell returned to the first team for the league defeats to Northampton and Exeter and the EDF Trophy exit at the hands of rivals Pertempts Bees.

"I ruptured my medial ligament in my left knee," he said. "It tore off the bone so I had to have it re-attached with four pins.

"It was frustrating and I was the worst spectator ever the nearer I got to my recovery because I was itching to play.

"But I'm back now, I feel fit and I'm ready to help Moseley try and climb up the table."

James Rodwell happy to turn down the drinks

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 29/01/2008 05:53

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
29/01/2008 05:53

James Rodwell happy to turn down the drinks

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