Ethan Roots interview: I left cage fighting and jiu-jitsu behind to return to rugby

Few would have predicted a New Zealand-born former cage fighter and jiu-jitsu champion to be in the running for Steve Borthwick’s Six Nations squad. But like his impressive array of performances this season for Exeter Chiefs, Ethan Roots’ colourful story would make most people sit up and take notice. In a bid to curb his rebellious streak, Roots pursued other opportunities in mixed martial arts, which included a brief albeit memorable stint in cage fighting, aged 16. But Roots’ promising career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu was confirmation that he possessed the raw athleticism and power to make it to the top: he won eight different national titles, as well as a gold and three silvers at the Pan-Pacific Championships.