England rookie ‘fell back in love’ with rugby after ‘rough patch’
Ethan Roots of England during the Six Nations rugby match between Italy and England at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on February 3rd, 2024.
New Zealand-born England flanker Ethan Roots has had an unorthodox route to making his Six Nations debut but is enjoying his rugby again after a difficult period in his life.
Roots admits that he fell out of love with the game in his teenage years, but that is no longer the case after producing a barnstorming performance on debut against Italy.
He was named man of the match in a powerhouse showing against the Azzurri as Steve Borthwick’s charges clinched a narrow 27-24 win in Rome.
Falling back in love with rugby
The Exeter Chiefs back-rower turned his back on rugby as a teenager due to his lack of size and instead turned to jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.
He had his only MMA fight – which ended in a draw – and was competing at jiu-jitsu, only to be expelled from his club for dating his coach’s daughter.
Driven back to rugby and benefitting from a growth spurt, Roots signed for the Crusaders with several other offers on the table but would make just one appearance for the side in 2020.
Having also represented the Maori All Blacks, Roots sought out opportunities in the UK and linked with up the Ospreys before joining Exeter in 2023.
“Playing rugby professionally again and enjoying it – I’m so glad that I stuck at it,” Roots said.
“I had a bit of a rough patch and came out of the end of it. I was lucky when I came out at the end of that rough patch to still be in a professional set-up, and I fell back into it; I fell back in love.
“The last six or seven months have been pretty hard to process. Everything has happened really quickly, and everything has gone really well for me.
“A win in a tough place like the Stadio Olimpico and coming away with man of the match is pretty special. So I’m pretty happy.”
Surprised on debut
The clash in Rome was particularly special for Roots, who was surprised by his mom Cara who made the trip out to Italy for the clash.
“My dad is back in Auckland, but my mum flew out and surprised me – it was the first time I had seen her for quite a while,” he said. “That was pretty special.
“She arrived the night before the game. I don’t know how she planned it all. Her and my partner landed at the same time. It was a nice surprise.
“It is a long trip, but she is going to see my brother when she is in London and hopefully catch another game.
“I know a lot of those boys in Wales, and it would be great to have a hit-out against them. It is a big occasion, and it would be my first Test at Twickenham, so I would be really excited about it.”
After a stellar first appearance for England, Roots looks set to earn his second cap for the Red Rose and will go up against several of his former Ospreys team-mates with Wales heading to Twickenham in round two.
