‘We have squad DJs in Cian Healy and James Ryan so I leave it to them’
1. What boots do you wear?
Adidas Predator.
2. What’s your pre-training routine?
I train early in the morning so I always get a coffee on the way to training and listen to music on the way in.
3. You’re in charge of the after match tunes, what goes on first?
Irish artists for me … anything and everything. U2, Christie Moore, Cranberries. But we have squad DJs already with Cian Healy and James Ryan in charge so I’ll leave it up to them!
4. Imagine a world that you’re not a rugby player – what’s your job?
A professional golfer.
5. Stranded on a desert island, what three things do you take?
A phone, a BBQ and a boat.
6 Which teammate would you want with you on the island and why?
Cian Healy. All his hobbies would come in handy.
7. What was your favourite book as a child?
The BFG by Roald Dahl.
8. What’s your first sporting memory as a player or spectator and what do you remember from it?
I don’t remember the exact details but going to watch Ireland play in Lansdowne Road is probably the first sporting memory I have.
9. You have one moment from your career to do over. What is it?
I’m going to go with two answers here. So for a bad moment, I would love to do the 2011 World Cup all over again. But for a good moment, probably the drop goal against France in last year’s Six Nations. I can’t really remember it through my own eyes. I have seen it a lot since but would love to re-experience it knowing the end result!
10. What rugby skill would you most like to possess?
Speed.
11. Favourite boxset/TV series?
Narcos.
12. What current player in your position do you most admire?
I admire certain parts of a lot of other 10s as opposed to one other 10. I always try and see what other 10s do better than me and get myself closer to their big strengths.
13. Who has been the biggest influence on your rugby career and why?
Richie Hughes, my u-13s coach in St Mary’s College, where it all began.
14 What was your first car?
A silver VW Polo.
15. What sporting event makes your bucket list and why?
The Masters. I watched it since I was a kid and would love to go to Augusta one day.
One minute to go in the Champions Cup final, you’re three points down and you have a penalty in front of the posts…what do you do?
Go for penalty and take it to extra time.
17. What was the last concert you went to?
Mumford & Sons.
18. Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I’m very good at Sudoku.
19. What’s your own best memory playing rugby?
Celebrating the end of last season.
20 Who’ll win the Gallagher Premiership in England and the TOP14 in France?
Going to watch Ireland play in Lansdowne Road is probably my first sporting memory
Saracens or Exeter and Clermont.