DANNY CARE was 15 when he was told by Sheffield Wednesday that he was neither big enough nor strong enough to become a professional footballer.

It was devastating news for a boy so young, his dreams of playing at Old Trafford, Anfield and Wembley shattered.

Fortunately for Care, he had a sport to fall back on; the slight lad from Leeds could also play rugby, and football's loss was union's gain.

Six years on and visions of Wembley are replaced by the reality of Twickenham.

Care will emerge from the tunnel at the home of rugby union tomorrow to face world champions South Africa, winning his fifth cap.

Many more are expected to follow for the Harlequins scrum-half, with England team manager Martin Johnson sticking by his young guns as he looks to build a team capable of succeeding the Springboks and winning the 2011 World Cup.

Twickenham and such grand ambitions seemed an eternity away a decade ago when a young Danny Care rekindled a passion for rugby that began in the mini section at West Park Bramhope.

The man placing the ball in the arms of a wide-eyed 11-year-old and encouraging him to run with it was Peter Latham, Care's teacher at Prince Henry Grammar School in Otley.

"He was one of those lads you'd put straight into the gifted and talented category at any sport," said Latham, who played at centre for Headingley and represented England Colleges in the 1970s.

"I was in the process of putting together a rugby team and needed young sporting lads who were talented enough to play rugby.

"He was very small for his age, but that never stopped him.

"He wasn't a superstar by any means, but he was nerveless. We played a final against Crosland Heath when he was in Year 8. The scores were tied and the match went to a kick-off; because he was so good at football, Danny was one of those who confidently slotted over a kick.

"Like all the boys of that age, winning a medal was exciting and he wanted more of it."

Care would have to wait for his next taste of success as he went about pursuing his football development with Wednesday, fitting in rugby matches when he could with Prince Henry's.

Then, at the age of 15, any questions he may have had about which sport to progress with were answered for him when Wednesday released him.

"They basically said Danny wasn't big enough or strong enough," added Latham.

"That gave him more time to concentrate on rugby, and in the long run not only benefited us, but certainly benefited him.

"Having had those years with Sheffield Wednesday he was used to a training regime, and a regime of discipline and commitment. That time in football set him up for the life of a professional sportsman.

"Until then though you would not have looked at him and thought he was going to make a rugby player.

"He hadn't played the game enough and he didn't know the game well enough.

"But Danny is a very quick learner, and with the added time he had to dedicate to the sport, he blossomed.

"I remember the Yorkshire Under-16 county final against Outwood Grange – he had an outstanding game that day.

"That was the first time I thought 'this guy could go a hell of a long way'."

From the sound platform of Prince Henry's, Care quickly climbed the ranks.

He was spotted by the Leeds Tykes academy playing for Otley Colts and was snapped up immediately, falling under the studious gaze of Stuart Lancaster at Headingley.

"He had a lot of pace and talent but there was work to do on his core skills and the techniques of being a scrum-half," said Lancaster, now the RFU's director of academies.

"It has not surprised me that he is now playing for England. Danny is very level-headed, he's not fazed by the spotlight and that's a great credit to him, his family, his school and everybody associated with him."

After completing his A-levels at Prince Henry's in 2005 and finishing a seven-year rugby association with the school, Care broke into the Leeds first team before being lured by Harlequins after Leeds's relegation in May 2006.

Eighteen months of frustration followed as he played second fiddle to Andy Gomersall, but this disappointment was tempered by progress through the England Under-21s and Saxons, before he finally stamped his authority on the Quins' No 9 shirt in January.

Care's transformation from club understudy to England starter is a microcosm of his rise from the playing fields of Prince Henry's to the 80,000 capacity Twickenham stadium.

The speed at which he makes line breaks and orchestrates attacks from the base of the scrum were all harnessed on the rugby pitches of the White Rose county.

Danny Care – too small for football, big enough for rugby.


Danny Care Factfile

1993: Begins playing for West Park Bramhope minis.

1998: Signs for Sheffield Wednesday football academy and gets into Prince Henry's Grammar School rugby
team.

1999: Kicks a penalty in Yorkshire Post Schools Cup final for Prince Henry.

2002: Released by Sheffield Wednesday academy, allowing him more time to dedicate to rugby, joining Otley Colts.

2003: Helps Prince Henry win a second Yorkshire Cup title. Is poached by the Leeds Tykes' academy.

2004: Wins silver medal at Commonwealth Youth Games for England Sevens, finishing tournament as top try scorer. Makes Leeds Tykes first-team debut in European Challenge Cup.

2005: Makes his Premiership debut for Leeds against Saracens.

2006: Leaves relegated Leeds for Premiership Harlequins in the summer.

2008: Finally makes No 9 shirt his own at Harlequins and is fast-tracked through Saxons into full England squad, making his debut on the summer tour to New
Zealand.