AUSTIN Healey, a former England rugby player and a sports TV commentator, has revealed how he copes with constant pain as a result of injuries suffered while competing.

Austin says: “I only resort to medication if I have to, but I have constant pain in one or another area of my body.”

Austin, 36, played for Leicester and retired from first-class rugby four years ago because of his injuries.

“My knee got shot to pieces during a match in 2003, and now constantly dislocates, which means I can’t bend my left leg. I also have a sciatic disc problem causing pain in my neck and back.

“I also need a new ball joint in my shoulder, but I’m delaying surgery for as long as possible.”

He and his wife Louise have four daughters – Ellie-Mae, eight, Daisy, six and two-year-old twins, Betsy and Bibi-Dee.

“I’m just glad I’m mobile enough to be able to pick up my kids and enjoy running around with them.

“If I’d continued playing any longer I don’t think that would have been possible.”

Although he normally exercises daily to keep himself flexible and reduce back pain, he’s been unable to work out recently because of a bout of shingles.

“It lasted a month and was terribly painful and physically draining. My right arm went completely numb.”

Shingles is caused by the same virus behind chickenpox, and anyone who has previously had chickenpox may develop the condition. It can cause a rash and severe pain.

Austin, who won 51 England caps and two British Lions caps, says that, like many top players, he struggled for a while to adjust to life off the pitch.

“I found it really challenging, and was massively depressed for the first six months of retirement. It took nearly two years for me to adjust. I’ve always been really topsy-turvy mood-wise although as I’ve got older I have become more balanced out. I’m just naturally either very up or very down.

“I need to be busy with targets and demands to focus on; otherwise I can feel at a low ebb. But a ‘goal’ can just be spending more quality time with the kids.”

Now he’s backing a Dolmio campaign to encourage couples and families to enjoy meals together.

“Our girls can be fussy eaters but they’ll always eat pasta and I disguise loads of vegetables with a tasty sauce! I know how lucky I’ve been to achieve two huge life goals, playing for England and having a family. I’ll feel blessed if I achieve a couple more – maybe through charity work.”

Austin Healey has created three recipes for Dolmio’s Taste of Italy Indulgence Campaign. Visit dolmio.co.uk.