Jason Fox on rugby, opening up and reality TV
Jason Fox Discusses SAS, Rugby, and the Army vs. Navy Game
Jason Fox, known from SAS: Who Dares Wins, shared his lifelong passion for rugby in a recent interview. He recounted attending England games at Twickenham with his father, likely around 1990, during the era of Will Carling and Rory Underwood. The atmosphere at Twickenham has always been “awesome,” he said, recalling recent matches against New Zealand and South Africa.
Fox described his match-day routine as involving “a lot of drink,” typically starting with beers in Clapham before heading to twickenham. A veteran of the military,Fox emphasized the importance of the Army vs.Navy game, a major event for military personnel. He noted the Army’s clever recruiting of talented players from Fiji.
Reflecting on his rugby heroes, Fox mentioned Brian Moore and Will Carling. He finds it amusing to now be “trolled” by Carling on social media. fox also spoke about the parallels between soldiers and rugby players, citing values such as dedication, teamwork, and physical sacrifice. He noted that some skilled rugby players join the military, while some military personnel pursue professional rugby contracts.
When asked about rugby players he wouldn’t want to face, fox promptly named jonah Lomu. He acknowledged Lomu’s imposing presence and the impact of his illness on his career.
Fox underscored the importance of open communication about feelings in both the military and rugby, stating that the “old-school mentality of not talking hasn’t worked.”
It doesn’t mean you’re not tough, or not good at rugby or not a good soldier if you say you’re struggling.
Fox shared three key principles applicable to both a military squadron and a rugby changing room: preparation,visualizing success,and focusing on the present moment.
When asked which current or former player he’d like to see on SAS: Who Dares Wins, Fox suggested Austin Healey for his outspoken nature and Ben Earl for his toughness. He also recalled Greg Barden, a former Special Forces colleague who played sevens for England.
Lomu. Easy. It’s such a shame he was so affected by illness in his career. I remember when he came onto the scene and thinking ‘f**k that’. He was a monster and I couldn’t imagine playing against him. He had tree trunks for legs.
Fox humorously recounted bumping into David Flatman in a urinal. For an Arctic expedition,he would invite Brian O’Driscoll for his attitude and keith Wood for morale.
What’s next
Fox continues to be involved in both the military and rugby communities, sharing his experiences and insights on teamwork, resilience, and mental well-being.