Simon Zebo worries about his children playing rugby and doesn't want them to follow in his footsteps.
The Cork man enjoyed major success with Ireland, Munster and Racing 92 before hanging up his boots earlier this year.
Simon and wife Elvira share children Jacob, 9, Sofia, 8, Noah, 4, and two-year-old Isabella, with the three eldest having taken up rugby.
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He is happy to see them get active and enjoy sport, but isn't too keen on the idea of them playing rugby professionally.
Simon told RSVP Live: "They love it, they will follow their father’s footsteps for a little bit. I don’t want them to play rugby but they want to play.
"I would not push them towards playing rugby at all. What it does to your body, the head impacts, that’s the scary side of it. I’ve seen a lot of players have to retire through it, and that’s very dangerous. I don’t like it."
Simon didn't worry about head injuries or impacts when he started playing, but now understands the risks that are involved.
He added: "When you have your own kids and all of a sudden they want to play the game, it’s very different. I can see why my parents were a bit hesitant in starting me off.
"As a young player, you’re enthusiastic and you just want to keep playing. But the older you get, or you see players with kids as well, [you see] a head bang and you’re considering everything, as opposed to the past when it was like, ‘Oh come on let’s drive on’.
"It’s about being more conscious around it and making sure you don’t put yourself at risk."
Simon is also wary of social media and doesn't want his children to access it until they are teenagers.
He told us: "It’s just raising your kids as best as you can. Teaching them as much, passing on the knowledge and experiences I’ve had with social media and just getting them as best prepared for it.
"It’s just inevitable really, the way the world’s gone, they’re going to be on social media eventually. In my opinion, there’s no reason for them to be on social media before 16, or 18 - what’s the point?
“Otherwise, my kids are just stuck to their phones or iPads and they’re not playing or enjoying or being out in the fresh air.
"I’m very anti-that. I hate giving them a device, I’d rather my kids scream in a restaurant or destroy a restaurant than sit down like a zombie and not develop any social skills or be able to talk or interact or know what’s appropriate and what’s not."
Now that he has retired from rugby, Simon is focusing on new business ventures. He is opening a cafe in Cork and launching his own whiskey range in March.
The athlete also loves music and would love to explore this more as a hobby.
Simon said: "My brother-in-law is in Hermitage Green, the band down in Munster. I obviously know the band really well and I do a little bit with them as a hobby, messing around.
"I sang with them on stage at the Kaleidoscope festival. I've performed a few times with them for squad events, or if a band ever came into the Irish camp, I’ve done it there a few times, and birthday parties and weddings. I really enjoy it."
English (US) ·