Emeka, Leicester flanker Emeka Ilione believes that his efforts to get into the Tigers’ senior side are also helping his medical education.
Ilione (20 years old) has played three games in this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup.
While the England Under-20 international acknowledges that they have worked with Premiership champions, it admits that there are challenges to pursuing a career in epidemiology or cardiology.
“Balancing it was pretty good fun,” he said to BBC Radio Leicester.
It’s something that I am passionate about. It’s a great course.
“For me, it’s getting organized as early as possible. It is possible.
Saracens is Leicester’s next Premiership Cup assignment on Saturday, November 19th.
‘Unbelievably talented’
Mansfield-born, back-rower, is currently studying at Nottingham University.
He said that rugby had helped him with his medical side, such as being resilient and able to be in a team environment and working together in a team.
“There have been some setbacks with injuries, but being able to bounceback has helped quite a lot.
“Throughout the year, when things didn’t go according to plan, I was able to say, “That’s a setback. But I’ll try again. I’ll do better next time.”
Ilione has captained England under-20s and is now enjoying his experience at Tigers as an emerging star, sharing a pitch with back-row stars such as captain Hanro Loibenberg.
“The group here has unbelievably talent,” he stated.
“Crackers [Olly Cracknell]Hanro, George Martin, and George Martin are all great lads who offer lots of advice and help me to pick up things.”
Recent boosts have also been provided by Matt Everard’s recent appointment as a senior academy coach.
Ilione stated, “He has been working closely together with us young forwards. And he has been really great for me.”
“I have had some one-on-one coaching during sessions, and he’s picking up on me.”