8:20am Thursday 18th March 2010
By Alan Feldberg
WASPS prop Tom French says he knows exactly how David Beckham feels after rupturing his Achilles tendon last September.
French was just finishing his pre-match warm-up ahead of Wasps’ opening game against Harlequins at Twickenham when his tendon snapped in two.
He said: “I thought someone had fallen on me.
“It didn’t hurt. It just felt numb, like I’d been kicked.
“I wasn’t sure what had happened. I thought I’d just give it a rub then get up.
“But the doctor just happened to be watching me and knew exactly what I’d done.”
That was September 5 and French has not played since, although he is back in full training and is 24th man for Wasps’ trip to Sale on Friday.
He said: “I know exactly what he [Beckham] must be feeling like. The first couple of week you’re bound to be a bit down because you can’t get around.
“I was walking again without the boot after about eight weeks.”
And French warns that it’s a rehab process that can’t be rushed.
He said: “You’ve got to be honest with yourself. You can’t be a hero and try and push yourself because you’ll only hurt yourself more. You have to take it on the chin and pull out a session if you have to.”
For the full story, see tomorrow's Bucks Free Press.
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