And there we were thinking Rhys Webb took home that prize…
The 2017 Lions squad are hard at it over at the Vale Of Glamorgan complex, just outside Cardiff.
Warren Gatland is working in a skeleton squad of 14 as the majority still have club commitments. Still, that merely means the early arrivals are getting more attention ahead of what will surely be a punishing tour to New Zealand.
The players took advantage of the cryotheraphy chambers on offer at the training complex and stripped down to their Lions-emblazoned shorts for some muscle-reviving sessions.
Gloucester and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw looked chuffed to be heading in for a -80 degree blast:
The stand-out image of the Lions’ gym and cryo sessions came courtesy of Jonathan Joseph.
The England centre is in fantastic physical shape but he surely has no need to be this ripped:
That is some serious, serious definition from the 25-year-old Bath centre.
It is hardly a surprise, though, as Joseph is renowned as a hard-edged gym-goer within the England squad. International teammate Alex Goode told us, earlier this year, that both Joseph and Anthony Watson [below] are always competing to set gym, fitness and speed records within the squad’s backs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHFBYenBvxT/?taken-by=jonathanjoseph0
He certainly gets looked after when he is in the Bath changing room anyway.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSoTOFgBRoU/?taken-by=jonathanjoseph0
Hard work. Fine rewards.