TOUGH RULE
Italian-based rugby ace Ian Nagle says teammates can only walk their pets a distance of 100 metres due to Covid-19
IAN NAGLE admits he cannot wait to resume his career with Italian outfit Zebre, despite returning home to Ireland several weeks ago.
Following a three-year spell at Leinster — where he managed just 19 appearances under Leo Cullen — Nagle joined forces with the Parma-based PRO14 side last summer.
It is unclear when sport will be up and running again due to the coronavirus pandemic but the towering second row hopes it is soon.
The Cork native said: “I’d like to get back as soon as I can. It’s a bit of an unknown and how this season is going to play out is an unknown as well.
“The longer we go without games, the longer it will take to get guys up to match speed.
“I don’t think it’s possible to come back and play games within a week or two.
WILL NEED PRE-SEASON
“It’s going to need to be a mini-pre-season to some extent before games can be played.
“I really can’t wait to get back and training, which I’m sure is the case with most guys.”
When the PRO14 was suspended indefinitely on March 12, Zebre were second from bottom in Conference A with nine games to play.
Keeping the squad up to speed for a potential return to competitive fare has proven a challenge for head coach Michael Bradley and his backroom staff.
COUPED UP
Nagle has ample space at his home in Cork, but those in northern Italy — one of the worst-affected areas in Europe — do not have the same level of comfort.
The 31-year-old said: “The Zebre team are doing what they can. They’re sending out gym programmes, but a lot of the guys live in apartments or within the city so it’s very difficult for them.
“As it currently stands, you’re not allowed to leave your home unless it’s going to the shops.
“Or if you’ve a dog, you can walk your dog within 100 yards of your front door. That’s very tightly enforced.
ENFORCED SABBATICAL
“For guys who are in their apartments and don’t have any gym equipment, it’s very difficult to keep on top of their fitness.
“It’s just a case of accepting that this is going to be a lull period in terms of your physical fitness. Maybe it’s a time for an enforced sabbatical, for want of a better word.”
Nagle has enjoyed a varied career.
A product of the Munster academy, he rubbed shoulders with Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Donnacha Ryan and Billy Holland in his native province before moving to Newcastle for a brief loan spell in 2014.
STEPS ALONG THE WAY
After taking a step back from full-time rugby for a couple of years, he re-emerged at London Irish in the English Premiership.
He signed with Leinster in 2016 and had another loan period at Ulster prior to sealing his move to Zebre, along with fellow lock Mick Kearney.
While he waxes lyrical about the work being done by the provinces, he feels they could still learn from English and Italian clubs.
Nagle said: “When you play for other clubs you see there are different ways of doing things.
“Myself and Mick are trying to instil some of the cultural facets of the Irish provinces that are really beneficial.
“Whereas there’s certain aspects of the Italian culture and the way the squad functions that maybe the provinces could benefit from too.
“I’d say a lot of Irish players maybe haven’t considered Italian teams in the past. I would hope that trend might change.
“We would vouch for it as a great experience. It wouldn’t surprise me if more players were to join or at least consider it.”