My Old School Sedbergh

Last weekend, Lisa and I headed back to my old school, Sedbergh, where I had been invited to speak at an Old Sedberghians dinner. The sun was out, Sedbergh looked stunning as we came down from the M6 and we were looking forward to a great weekend.

And it was a great weekend, I got to meet the current 1st XV on Friday evening, which just made me feel very old, all these eyes looking at me wondering 'who the hell is he'!!

A great dinner Friday night, watched the 1st XV win the next day and then the dinner.

I have made quite a few speeches in my time, some in amazing locations, to amazing people and yet I was as nervous as I could ever remember. And when I got up to speak, I was more emotional than I have ever been making a speech. I really had to work very hard to stop the tears! Lisa could tell I was different and had given me a little pep talk before I went up, which confirmed to me how nervous and emotional I was.

And on the drive home the next day, Lisa and I were trying to work out why. Yes, my oldest mates come from the school and a couple were there that evening, but it was far more than that. As I stood there, I was a schoolboy again and so many memories flooded back over me, the strongest being that when I was there, I played rugby, the sport I love, with my friends - what could be better. It was pure! A strange word, but it was, you were there with your friends and playing the sport you loved, and there was nothing else. And yes I was lucky enough to carry on playing rugby and I fulfilled my dream, of playing for England, which I am unbelievably proud of. But something hit me that evening, that through all the ups and downs that I have been through, my best friends were from here and this is where those friendships started.

And hugely honoured and proud as I am of my England career, maybe what hit me so hard that evening was that my friendships meant more to me than that rugby career. As we get older, we are proud of things we have achieved in life, but for me I am prouder and more grateful for family and friendships, because ultimately any achievements are pretty hollow if you have no one to share and enjoy them with. And whilst I stood on that stage I realised how lucky I have been. I went to a special school, I have very special friends and I have an amazing family. As I said in my speech, the best team I have been in is my marriage to Lisa. I am a very lucky man.

Family and friendship, it doesn't get any better

#sedberghschool