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Ben Earl insists that he lives for the little wins as the England and Saracens back-row opened up on his exuberant celebrations during games.
The 26-year-old has been both criticised and ridiculed for his excessive cheering and fist pumping for minor victories within matches, including opposition knock-ons, breakdown turnovers and scrum successes.
It has divided opinion, especially on social media, but Earl has no intention of changing, especially with the number eight stating that it has become a natural reaction.
Contrast on and off the field
The in-form back-row is adamant that it is not for show, although he admits that some of the more experienced Sarries and England players can take the blame for him taking it up initially.
“I caught it off Maro (Itoje), Owen (Farrell), Jamie (George). They were the guys that I looked up to,” he told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
“I’ve been quite vocal in why I do it. The more I get asked, the more I think about it. The loaded gun philosophy is quite interesting for me because I’m so not like that when I’m doing anything else.
“When I play rugby, when I compete, I just love playing for something on the line. I find something hidden deep, deep down that very rarely comes up and those moments for me are magic.
“It kept me engaged in games, it kept me trying to gee my team-mates up, it kept me really positive, which is something I definitely struggled with when I was younger.
“The celebration side of it meant that I was so focused on what was next – enjoying that moment and going into the next thing.”
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Facing the All Blacks
Earl will hope to be celebrating plenty of times during the upcoming tour to New Zealand where they face the Rugby World Cup runners-up in a two-Test series.
It will be notable for it being Scott Robertson’s first matches in charge of the All Blacks after taking over following the conclusion of the global tournament.
England are undoubtedly a more settled outfit having improved over the course of the recent Six Nations Championship, but beating the All Blacks in New Zealand is always an incredibly difficult proposition.
They will be looking to catch the hosts cold, who have lost plenty of quality and experience in the form of Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
However, the next generation are already showing their talent in Super Rugby Pacific and will seek to emulate the legends that have gone before them.
“For me, the All Blacks is the reason why we all play rugby,” Earl said.
“When I was coming up as a youngster and watching rugby, yes I remember ‘03, but I really remember the All Blacks being unbelievable.
“My first memory was the ‘05 Lions, so watching Dan Carter, (Richie) McCaw and then a bit further down the line Kieran Read and Sonny Bill (Williams), they’re the reason why we all play the game we do.”