Mark Souster meets the mellowing Leicester prop Julian White on his farm to talk about life after rugby in The Times.
"Julian White sits across the pine table in the dining room of his farmhouse that doubles as an office. Books on sheep husbandry, as well as farming paraphernalia, cattle passports and general household paperwork, are scattered about.
"A big arm reaches out and clears a space. His left hand grasps a cup of tea with the word “Farmer” emblazoned on it. In the kitchen, the squeals of his daughters, Lucy, 3, and Charlotte, 1, can be heard. It is a scene of domestic contentment that has eluded him for much of his life and explains a lot. Lucy runs in and is scooped up. She is Daddy’s girl. An angry man is beginning to mellow.
"White is a mass of contradictions, but underneath the brooding exterior lies a shy, uncomplicated man who is the first to acknowledge his shortcomings. His life now has purpose.
"It has not always been the case, but after a nomadic existence living in three countries and playing for five clubs, the Leicester and England prop forward is for the first time settled and putting down permanent roots."
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