Wasps’ Robocop puts arresting form down to positive thinking

Mind over lots of matter: Wasps No8 Dan Ward-Smith (left) is adding the power of positive thinking to his physical arsenal
13 April 2012

London Wasps No8 Dan Ward-Smith, who refused to accept a serious knee injury had ended his career, has enlisted the help of a sports psychologist to help him break into the England team.

Ward-Smith was heralded as an international prospect three years ago before ruptured patella ligaments forced him out of contention and Harlequins' Nick Easter grabbed his opportunity, securing the Test role and appearing in the 2007 World Cup Final defeat by South Africa.

Easter's success has only spurred Ward-Smith on and his decision to quit relegated Bristol in the summer and join Wasps, allied to the work he is now undertaking with sports psychologist Kim Ingleby, is designed to propel the powerful 6ft 4ins, 18st forward — known as Robocop — into the national team.

Having helped Wasps surge to the top of the Guinness Premiership, you would expect Ward-Smith to be flying as he prepares for Sunday's vital clash at London Irish, however, he has set very high standards to ensure a first England cap is secured.

The 31-year-old said: "Physically I do feel great, but I am not happy with my form because I know there is a lot more still to come. It is up to me to put in the performances that my physical abilities suggest I can give for this club. Having started working with Kim, I go onto the pitch expecting to have a stormer in every game which makes it frustrating when I come off dissatisfied.

"I know what my potential is and, as yet, I haven't fulfilled it and when I play at my very best, I believe that will be good enough to warrant inclusion in the England squad."

Ward-Smith identified Wasps as the right place to push himself back into England contention when he left Bristol as their squad features hugely experienced Test players and some of England's brightest young talents.

"Now, he is wearing the No8 jersey made famous by ex-England legend Lawrence Dallaglio and the Irish clash will be another opportunity for Ward-Smith to push himself to the limit.

He said: "It was a long-term decision to opt for Wasps and it all revolved around becoming a better player. I had other options but when the chance to join Wasps came up I grabbed it.

"This club has a reputation for helping players become the best they can be and having had that serious injury in 2006, I did find it tough to recapture my best form even though I don't have any physical problems with the leg. It took me two years to bounce back from the injury and last year wasn't very successful with Bristol being relegated, but here at Wasps there are no excuses.

"Nick Easter has done really well for England but it's not too late for me to reach Test level and they wouldn't have put me in the current Saxons squad if it was felt to be a waste of time. I have not yet reached my peak and can still learn a huge amount from the coaches here at Wasps in terms of mental preparation and my skills set."

Meanwhile, Simon Shaw, the Lions and England lock, is still unable to train fully with Wasps as he attempts to recover from a metatarsal injury to his left foot. Shaw had a scan last night and hopes to be given the all clear to play within two weeks.

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