Full Contact: Netflix documentary goes behind the scenes of the 2023 Six Nations

Louis Rees-Zammit, who recently walked away from rugby union to have a crack at the NFL, stars in Netflix's Six Nations documentary series

As the 2024 Six Nations draws ever closer, Netflix has released an eight-part documentary series taking viewers behind the scenes of last year's competition.

From the producers of the hugely successful Drive to Survive, Full Contact tells the stories of players and coaches from each team - with a key focus on big names including Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit, England's Owen Farrell and Ellis Genge, Scot Finn Russell, and Ireland's Johnny Sexton and Andrew Porter.

We learn about the issues these players have had to deal with, including mental health struggles, imposter syndrome, and sacrificing their personal lives as well as their bodies.

We also get an insight from their coaches, who shed light on the difficult choices they have to make - from playing against family to dropping star players for off-field issues.

Here are a few takeaways from the series.

• Six Nations 2024: what matches are the BBC showing?

Rees-Zammit 'has that ability to do something special'

Wales' build-up to this year's Six Nations has been overshadowed by the absence of a man who features prominently in Full Contact.

An hour before coach Warren Gatland was due to name his squad, he was told Rees-Zammit was quitting rugby to pursue a career in the NFL.

Rees-Zammit, 22, was the pin-up boy of Welsh rugby. He made his debut for Wales in October 2020 and had become one of the team's stars, scoring five tries at last autumn's World Cup.

And during Full Contact, Gatland waxes lyrical about his attributes.

"He's incredible in terms of that pace," he says, adding: "He's got that ability to do something that's special."

Former England international Ugo Monye, meanwhile, refers to Rees-Zammit as "the quickest bloke in the Six Nations".

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Genge used to do things he 'probably won't ever speak about'

Ellis Genge has had to adapt to the responsibility of being a leader for England

England prop Genge talks openly about being led astray in his youth - and the challenges his background have given him.

Genge grew up on a council estate in Knowle, Bristol, and attended a comprehensive school, which is not commonplace for England players.

In Full Contact, he says he was arrested "like, five times" and used to "do some things" he says he "probably won't ever speak about".

He talks about looking up to "the wrong people" and says he has a sense of "imposter syndrome".

"I've always felt like an outsider," says the 28-year-old. "I tried to sort of keep it supressed for a long time, but when you lose a game, you really do start to question whether or not you're in the right space."

• Genge's rise from rough diamond to England captain

Russell says 'folks think I don't care'

Russell is one of rugby's most charismatic and exciting players.

The 31-year-old fly-half dazzled at last year's Six Nations, and moved fourth on Scotland's all-time points list during their win over Wales at Murrayfield.

However, his relationship with Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has not always run smoothly.

The pair fell out at the start of the 2020 Six Nations, and Russell didn't return until the 2021 Championship.

Townsend says he regrets the fall-out and that at one stage he thought "that'll be it all over" for Russell's international career. He is full of praise for the way Russell trains.

Russell, meanwhile, seems aware of how he can come across. In one scene he talks about laughing off mistakes during matches and says: "Some folk think that means I don't care, which is wrong."

There were some days where… I might not be here today - Andrew Porter

Andrew Porter describes putting himself through hard workouts to deal with his feelings

Prop Andrew Porter is one of the biggest and most powerful assets in the title-winning Ireland team.

But he is not afraid to show he is vulnerable.

"I struggled with mental health for years," says Porter in one scene.

Now 28, Porter lost his mother when he was young and during Full Contact he describes the effect that had on him.

"I went through eating disorders," he says. "There were some days where… I might not be here today."

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