When Will Addison mentions resilience, he speaks with some authority.
After all, his list of injuries and other issues is not a short one. He has just returned after almost two years out with a broken leg, a situation that brought its own complications including a clot and there was, of course, an earlier problem which required back surgery.
He refers to the issues as “obstacles” and, as such, have each been there to be overcome rather than scenarios which may have ended any conversation about playing rugby long before now.
As the 31-year-old explains: “I guess you never want to be thankful for all the injuries over the years, but I think I’ve learnt I’m resilient and that I’ll get through these sorts of things.”
That he has managed it is testament to not only his powers of physical recovery but also his determination to absorb and process the mental difficulties which have accompanied the actual pain and discomfort.
It comes as no surprise that he doesn’t want to linger too much around his recent past but is prepared to give where he is now — last weekend in Glasgow was Addison’s third game of the Season
In relation to his leg break back in October 2021 he says: “There was definitely a point there where I was fancying quitting (the game) but being the competitive beast I am, I was quickly thinking about ‘let’s get back on the horse’.
“And that’s what happened and there were a number of huge obstacles in the way; having a second operation a year after the first, getting an infection, getting a blood clot and I think at each of those obstacles you kind of think, ‘Is this a sign?’.
“But once you get through that period and you get back into the gym, into working with the rehab guys, and working with the rugby guys, you quickly get a good gauge whether it’s going to come good or turn bad.
“And fortunately for me every one of those obstacles was followed by improvement, and I think if I didn’t have that improvement, I may have gone down a dark track.
Will Addison has played just 29 times since joining Ulster in 2018
Just 29 appearances since joining Ulster in 2018 tells of how challenging staying fit has been for the former Sale player and how frustrating the last five years have been for the Cumbria native.
Fitting seamlessly back into playing again has also been no smooth ride for Addison especially with rule changes since he last put together any sustained period of game-time such as the existence of the 50/22.
“It’s something the coaches have reminded me: ‘You’ve been out for a long time, so you’ve got to slowly build back into these things,’” says the four times capped Ireland international.
“And every time something good happens in a game or if something bad (happens) it triggers memories and it just challenges you to keep improving.
“(But) this is something that’s going to take a little bit of time and a bit of patience from myself because I’m probably my own worst critic (and have been) throughout my career.
“Certainly, the way I look at my games at the minute, I’m frustrated but, at the same time, I have to look at it through the lens of this is going to take a bit of pain in the short term to hopefully gain in the long term,” adds the versatile player who can cover wing, full back and centre.
