Of course when you were younger you were obviously very good at rugby, however how did you get into being a rugby player - how did you go from being a regular student in the rugby team to playing at the highest level of rugby in that era?
So basically, before I went to the boarding school when I was 11, I had just played football, because back then it was more about football. Then I went to boarding school where they only played rugby, and I got more involved in the game. I didn’t really enjoy rugby that much because I was quite small and athletic, that’s why I was a good footballer. But then the school taught me, and got me bigger, which made me stronger and faster, and my athleticism helped me become a better rugby player, and I became the best in my school. Then one day scouts from London Irish came along to one of our rugby games and they picked up anyone who was basically half decent at the game – and I had an Irish background. From there I developed to being even better than before and that led to being in the under 18A rugby London Irish team, then moving forward to being in the under 25A London Irish team and then finally in the main Irish rugby team.
So, I know you are currently a lawyer, and I assume you studied law when you were playing rugby and before you became amateur, how did you manage your time between law and rugby?
Basically, after I finished school I went to university. I studied law and did three years at London University, and whilst I was studying I was still playing rugby. We trained on a Monday and Thursday and then had a match on Saturday. I would go to college in the day and train in the evening. For example, if I went to play against Newcastle we travelled the night before, and stayed the night in a hotel, and then came back to college. It was okay - you just had to be organised. It was quite a hard thing to do but enjoyable.
What was the greatest moment of your rugby career?
I’d say it would probably be playing in my first match for Ireland against France in 1991. But then beating England in 1994 at Twickenham was amazing! I scored a try and we won the game by 1 point. A very good highlight! Also, another great highlight was playing against Australia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, it was a close game but they just won. Subsequently they won the World Cup!
What was the worst moment of your rugby career?
The worst moment was not going on the Lions tour. I was picked to go but I couldn’t because I was injured. I also had to retire when I was 27 because I had all these problems and injuries with my toes and my feet. It was very gutting, and cut my career short.
If you were playing rugby in this era, instead of the amateur era, what would you be doing, law or rugby?
I think when you were young you would want to play rugby, but the problem is the players are so much bigger nowadays, and stronger - I’m 6 foot and nowadays the wingers are like 6”4, 6”5. It used to be a game where people played of all sizes, but now everyone who plays are huge. I would probably say I would rather be a rugby player as it is more enjoyable, I mean obviously more enjoyable than being a lawyer! But it’s not like football where you earn enough to live on.
Favourite drink?
Has to be a Guinness.
Last dinner?
I would say probably a chicken vindaloo or something.
Best TV show?
Right now I’m watching the Godfather it’s very good. Or maybe Succession.
Best life moment?
I think helping my wife give birth to my last daughter. I had to deliver her myself without any doctors. It was scary but then so nice afterwards.
