Tap and Go catches up with Scotland captain and Sale back row Jason White to discuss his hard-hitting playing style, his recovery from a career-threatening knee injury and Indiana Jones.

Hi Jason… You’re known as one of the biggest hitters in the game - what’s the secret of your success?
I think timing is the most important thing. I try to judge where the guy with the ball is going to go. I make sure I time things right, read the game correctly and then make sure I’m very aggressive in the tackle.

And what would you rather do, score a try or pile-drive an opponent into the ground?
Score a try because I already seem to produce a lot of pile-driving tackles. To score a couple of tries would be nice.

Are there any players out there you would like to give ‘extras’ to?
It would be my team-mate at Sale, Andrew Sheridan. I probably owe him one because he tried to punch me when we played against England at Murrayfield so he’s on my hit-list. But I admit that is a big challenge.

When we look at Sale, we often wonder if the likes of yourself, Sebastian Chabal and Sheridan are ever involved in full-contact hits on the training ground. And what would those collisions be like?
Generally, and thankfully, those big hits are saved for the games. If we started smashing each other on the training ground, we’d never make it onto the pitch. We do semi-contact with grabbing and controlled tackles but we don’t try to kill each other.

This race for the Guinness Premiership is one of the most contested races in recent history and Sale are in the mix.
We’re going well. We’ve beaten Bath and Gloucester in our last two Premiership games and they were top of the table at that time. Our form is good but we realise almost every game is a must-win. It’s good and it’s exciting and we do have a game in hand. We play Bristol away, Wasps away and then Newcastle at home. If we can win all three of those games we can move up into the top couple of positions.

Tap and Go suspects Wasps will be the biggest challenge given their usual good form at this time of the year.
That is going to be key. They play Worcester at home on the Saturday and then play us on the Tuesday. We have an extra day’s recovery on them because we play on the Friday night and it will be a real test of both squads.

At this time of the year, is it important to get those recovery days in?
It’s a big thing for the coaches to manage their teams and it’s important that players manage their recovery well. For me, using supplements like Muscle Armour and Myoplex is massively important and helps me stay fresh for the next game.

(PR lady punches the air in delight following White’s shameless plug for EAS sports nutrition products)

Are you pleased with your own form and enjoying your rugby?
I really enjoyed the Six Nations but I’ve been away a lot. I was in America for a month to see the specialist for my knee, then I moved up to Edinburgh to prepare for the World Cup. I was back home in Manchester in November for a couple of months and then it was back up to Scotland for the Six Nations. Now I’m back in Manchester it’s great to know I’m going to be around until the summer with a little stability at being in one place. I’m really enjoying playing for Sale and it’s an exciting run-in to the season.

You mentioned your knee injury… Does suffering a career-threatening injury like that make you appreciate the game more when you come back?
I really missed it when I was out. I was very conscious that playing for Scotland is such a special thing. I really appreciate being involved with Scotland. It made me think about what life is like when you don’t have that.

Knee specialist Bill Knowles has had a lot of rugby players through his doors now in Colorado… what was the daily rehabilitation process like? How tough was that experience?
I was lucky because I went out there with Charlie Hodgson and to have somebody to work with was a huge benefit. The best thing was that Bill was your super-excited and super-positive American guy and there was a lot of variation in his sessions. We did two sessions per day and his big thing was to make a gain in every session and to really push yourself. It was tough because you would look out of the window and see kids on the ski slopes. It was hard but it was really good. Mentally, it was tough but it was good to go to America, do something different day in and day out and it was a real mental pick-up.

Is it important to make a gain each day, even if it’s a tiny one?
Yes, absolutely. To see yourself improving is important. Myself and Charlie ran for the first time when we were out with Bill. He does a great job and I know Sean Lamont is out in the States with him at the moment. Sean has done his first running this week so that is great news. Bill has such a positive nature that it rubs off on you.

Any times when you wanted to slap the hyper-positive American who was constantly pushing you?
No, he is really good and comes across in a really good way. He wants you to do well and he fills you with self belief.

What is the most memorable game of your career?
Probably when we played England in 2006 and I was captain, we won and I got to the lift the Calcutta Cup. That was a very special day and great for me personally.

Do you always like to give a little bit extra when you play England?
The big thing is the fans. The fans want Scotland to beat England more than the players. They build it up and the players feed off the fact that the fans are a bit more involved in the game and shouting that bit louder than normal.

What’s the best thing about being a professional rugby player?
Playing the game that I started playing as a kid for a job. It was a hobby and I played rugby for fun. I enjoyed team sports but to do it as my job and to represent Sale and Scotland, I’m very lucky.

Anything you dislike about the game? What would you put in your Rugby Room 101?
Consistency in the refereeing. I understand that they have such a hard job and I’m sure it’s tough to deal with the scrums. I play international rugby and I have no idea what happens in the scrums. You sometimes feel the refs have to pick a team and penalise them in the scrums - so a better way of working out what goes on in the scrums would be good.

Do you have any nicknames?
Whitey, which is not very exciting, and Tam. People think the way I sign my name looks like Tam and not Jason.

Tap and Go loves a good laugh… what’s the best dressing room prank you’ve witnessed?
The best one was when Stuart Turner and Mark Cueto were having a tete a tete in training and ‘Cuets’ did something to Stuey. So to get him back, Stuart put an advert in the Auto Trader for Mark’s flash Porsche 911 and included his mobile number but he put it at a ridiculously low price. So Mark had about 200 people call him on his mobile phone to ask about the car.

If you could have three fantasy dinner guests who would they be?
Billy Connolly because he’s Scottish and would be good for entertainment and make you laugh. I would have Ewan McGregor because he would have some good stories to tell. (lengthy pause) One more. I would say my wife but that might be a bit boring so I’ll go with Indiana Jones because, again, he would have some good tales to tell.

Tap and Go is buying… what’s your post-match drink?
That would have to be an EAS Myoplex shake. It’s got to be, hasn’t it?

(PR lady literally wets herself with excitement at the mention of a second shameless plug in five minutes. Tap and Go issues Jason with his final warning.)

How do you like to spend your free time away from rugby?
It’s a mixture really. I don’t mind going for a coffee with the boys but I’m just as happy chilling out on the sofa and reading a good book.

What’s the best piece of rugby advice you’ve ever been given?
Always believe in yourself.

Your favourite holiday destination?
I went on honeymoon to the Amalfi coast in Italy last summer and that was great.

Who are your favourite rugby players of all time?
Gregor Townsend would sometimes make the odd mistake but overall he was probably Scotland’s best attacking player. And I really thought Jonah Lomu was something special.

Jason White is an ambassador for EAS sports nutrition – the “ultimate fast food for athletes.” www.eas-uk.com

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