20 QUESTIONS
Big game against Leicester today? Yes. We’ve been training hard all week to make sure we make up for last weekend at Bath where we lost 58-5. We need to get better. What happened at the Rec? It was one of those game where everything went wrong for us. We didn’t turn up and if everything is off by even one per cent it soon adds up in this league and you end up leaking 50 points. Do you just forget about such game or do you still analyse it? We looked at it pretty hard and it was tough because we had two days off after the game so we all had time to dwell on it. It was nice to get back to training and do our best to put it behind us. What was Dean Richards’ message? It was a shocking performance but he reassured us that it wasn’t a true reflection of where we are as a group. We shouldn’t panic but we need to understand that it was a poor performance before moving on. Looking forward to be back at Kingston Park then? It’s going to a tough game but what a great way to get over such a disappointing result by beating Leicester at home. We’re desperate to show we didn’t deserve that thumping last week. Good news for you about your new contract though? It was bitter sweet really after the weekend but I’m very happy to have signed until the end of the season. I did my best to impress while on trial and I’m glad it worked out. I think being match fit after my time in the USA helped a lot. What do you take back from your US experience? It helped me enjoy my rugby again after a tough period at London Irish. It was nice to play rugby week-in week-out and get into that routine again. Came close from winning the league with Ohio? Very! Denver were four points ahead of us going into the last game. We beat them at their ground with the bonus-point but they also got the try bonus-point so we came up short. What sort of level was it? It’s probably not up to the standards of the Premiership but I’m not too sure how it’d rank against the Championship having never played in it. The quality improved as the league went on and everyone seem to enjoy it. How far can rugby go in the US? It’ll be a huge challenge but it satisfy what a lot of American sports fans are after in terms of entertainment. The pool of athletes available is incredible. How did the move to Newcastle come about? My plan was always to come back to have another crack at the Premiership and my agent Tom Beattie told me the Falcons might be interested. That’s how I joined on a month-trial. Goals for the season? I’m starting this weekend at outside centre which is great. I’ve had a great time since arriving here and I’m just looking forward to hopefully playing regularly. Linking up with Sinoti Sinoti and Vereniki Goneva must be exciting? Definitely! The outside backs are very exciting at the club. It’s just a case of getting the ball to them in the best possible conditions to give ourselves the best chance. What do you take back from your time at Wasps, Saints and Irish? I played a lot of game but I got a few bad spells with injury which slowed me down. They’re behind me now though and I’m just looking to get back in form and string some good performances together. Which midfield position do you prefer? I’m starting at outside centre this weekend and that’s my best position. That’s where I started my career and I like the extra space you get in the wider channels. Hopefully I can put our wingers away for a few tries. If not rugby what would you be doing? I’m quite into social development and I’ve got a place at Oxford to do a masters next year so we’ll see. The plan might change depending how well I go with the Falcons. Favourite cheat meal? I’m pretty good but the burgers were pretty great in the US and I had a few of those. Three special dinner guests? Barrack Obama, a 90s hyper version of Jim Carrey and Ghandi Best and worst banter at Falcons? Worst would be Jon Welsh while Micky Young has the best. Best and worst dressed? I’m afraid Jon is the worst again but I’d give best to Joel Hodgson.