Nick Isiekwe Exclusive: 'It does put things into perspective - You definitely become more selfless'
Nick Isiewke is targeting another Premiership triumph with Saracens
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Nick Isiekwe is no stranger to Premiership finals.
Despite only being 25 years old, he’s featured in three to date and his place in the starting XV for Saracens' latest trip to Twickenham marks his fourth.
He experienced wins in 2018 and 2019, the first at the age of 20, and also a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Leicester Tigers last year.
A lot has changed in the five years between Isiekwe’s first Premiership final and this weekend's clash with Sale Sharks.
From a club perspective, Saracens have battled through their relegation to the Championship to return to the top of English club rugby. From an individual perspective, Isiekwe made a return to the England team in 2022 after a 44-month period away and also took an opportunity to expand his experience during a loan spell at Northampton Saints while Saracens were in the second tier.
The past year, in particular, has been one of personal change for Isiekwe who became a father last August. His son Cassius will be experiencing his first Premiership final from the stands this weekend as his father steps foot on the hallowed Twickenham turf for a fourth final.
"He'll be there! It's an incredible experience,” he said with pride.
"It does put things into perspective and you definitely become more selfless. Before, everything was about trying to get things right and get ready for the matches but then it also helps to switch off. You come home and he's smiling and he doesn't know what's happened so there's a lot of perspective. There are a lot of different angles that you can look at it from but for me, it's given me a little bit of an extra focus because it's not just about myself. That's how I see it."
With the added perspective that being a father has brought to his life, he remains focused on the task at hand when he’s in rugby mode.
"We have our training and when you're switched on, you're switched on. It's trying to switch off when you can to take your time away from the game and switching over to something else. When you're supposed to be dialled in, you make sure that you're dialled in and taking all of the information and small nuances of the game that you need
"When you have to be dialled into the game, you make sure you're fully committed, but when you're at home or relaxing, trying not to expel too much emotional energy. That's what I try and do and that's how I approach it. It's an exciting opportunity for us and we'll do everything we can to put the performance out there.”
While last year’s final didn’t have the desired outcome for Saracens, it has provided Isiekwe and the team with important lessons learned to help them best prepare for the same occasion this year.
"Last year from a personal perspective, I definitely put a lot of pressure on myself and in the lead up I expelled a lot of emotional energy through the week,” he said.
"From that experience from a personal point of view, it's just trying to remain constant and remember what I've done in the however many weeks we've had in the build-up. From a team point of view, I suppose it's devastating to lose a final but you take a lot out of that. Sometimes the losses are probably more powerful in that regard. There was a lot to take out of it also rugby wise but from a personal preparation point of view, Yhere were massive amounts that we can take away from that."
In many ways, his personal preparation for the final has been in line with a normal game week, but he has put a particular focus on the importance of controlling his emotional energy this time around.
"It's kind of been very similar. I try and keep things the same as if it was a normal week.
"Obviously, the circumstances are a bit different with it being final, but for myself, I try and keep everything as similar as possible. I try and check off all of the things that I would usually check off in a normal week. For me, it's just about keeping everything constant. In the years gone past and previous experiences, I've definitely expelled a bit too much emotional energy earlier on in the week. Personally, it's just about getting the balance right and making sure that I can remain focused but also get that relaxed time. That's important."
Saracens have won the domestic title in the same year that the Rugby World Cup has been held for the past three World Cup cycles, and this year provides an opportunity for a fourth.
While the prospect of France 2023 looms at the conclusion of the club season, Isiekwe stresses the importance of performing well at a club level and not getting too carried away looking ahead to the future.
"I take everything very much in the present, I don't really look too much ahead," the forward explained. "I try and focus on how I can influence the game or influence our performance and try and put my best performance out there.
"In terms of goals, that's kind of my goal. Obviously playing for England and being involved there is amazing but you have to concentrate on your club performances and how you play there and prepare for games, and how you can put yourself into the best physical position you can. Those are my focuses and I don't like to get too carried away with myself but I definitely like to remain focused on those aspects."
Focusing on the present and the final this weekend, he was full of praise for the squad’s work ethic this season which saw them finish top of the table.
"The way that I see things is very matter of fact, I think we have a great opportunity in front of us,” he said.
“The squad has worked so hard throughout the year, through the international windows and when the internationals have been here everybody's pitched in and contributed. I think it boils down to the opportunity that we've got in front of us and how we can put our best foot forward. The work has been done in the build-up, we've had two weeks in terms of the final but we've had 44 weeks as a squad to build. Hopefully, we can keep on building into that."
If Saracens are to secure the title this weekend, they’ll have to conquer a determined Sale Sharks who last won the final 17 years to the day of this weekend's encounter
Isiekwe’s experience in Premiership finals will likely be key to keeping Saracens firing in the forward pack as the pressure hots up at Twickenham and with his son in the crowd, it will no doubt be a memorable day for him and his family no matter the outcome.
