Type 1 rugby hero returns to England squad

JDRF supporter and rugby star Chris Pennell, who lives with Type 1 diabetes, has returned to England’s squad for the Six Nations.

As full-back cover for another player recovering from concussion, he’s now got a chance to edge back into the team after being injured himself at the end of last year.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 19, Chris was unsure what this would mean for his future rugby career. But when he heard of other sportspeople living with the condition, he said to the Telegraph: “That gave me instant reassurance and confidence that you can still achieve what you want to achieve.”

In June 2014, Chris became the first rugby player with Type 1 diabetes to score a try for England.

Chris – along with his teammates – got behind our #TypeOnesie campaign last year. He said: “There’s been some remarkable work in pioneering Type 1 diabetes research recently. Now more than ever is the time to help raise funds for JDRF.”

Karen Addington, Chief Executive of JDRF in the UK, said: “Living with Type 1 diabetes certainly doesn’t have to stop you from achieving great things – Chris proves this. He is a brilliant role model for people living with the condition.”