Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Maximum Rugby stepped inside the England camp thanks to main sponsors O2, to have a chat with Shane Geraghty, who was speaking on behalf of the England Rugby team.
Do you think there is too much kicking in the modern game?
I think maybe some teams kick a little bit too much but for some teams it obviously works, and that’s why they keep doing it. With the teams I’ve been involved with, luckily we’ve had coaches which like to play a good mixture, with a bit of kicking, passing it about and running the ball when it’s on. Some teams do kick a bit too much, but that’s just the style of rugby they play.
Is kicking something you have to spend a lot of time on?
I work pretty hard on my kicking being a 10/12, it’s a big part of the game. Many hours spent on the training ground practising with Paul Grayson, so a lot of hard work goes in to it, the different types of kicks like the drop kicks, the punting and the goal kicks especially, so I work very hard on that.
What is your proudest moment on the pitch?
My England debut, playing against France and winning, and also most recently with Northampton against Munster at Franklin’s Gardens. It was just an unbelievable game and I was lucky enough to be involved from the start. It was just one of those games that I’ll look back on at the end of my career and say that was special. The atmosphere was unbelievable and you don’t get that very often in your career.
Are you looking to add to those memories with England?
Definitely. Any England spot I’m given I’ll be very proud of, running out on the pitch and playing, so as many of them I can get will be fantastic.
Who are your best friends in the squad?
I’ve grown up with a few of the guys – Dylan Hartley, Jordan Crane, who was here last week, all the Irish boys like Paul Hodgson, Steffon Armitage, Dylan Armitage, and then the few of the others who I get on with pretty well also.
Who is the toughest player you have ever come up against?
I’d say one of the Tuilagi brothers. In terms of purely the ferocity in the way he runs and just how big he is to be honest, I’d go for Henry Tuilagi, who’s at Perpignan. He is probably the hardest guy I’ve ever challenged and had to tackle.
What is the first thing you eat fresh off the pitch?
Normally the nutritionist is quite good and will get pizzas in to the changing room to get the carbs up straight after the game, and then they bring in steak baguettes or tuna sandwiches and stuff like that. I do like to relax a bit after the game, and if we’ve had a nice win get some ice cream or pizza in, be a bit naughty!
And a question from Maximum Rugby user Simon, from Liverpool, how does being away with the England boys differ to being on tour at club level?
You’re with the players in your club day in day out so you get to know them really well on and off the pitch. In England, Johnno’s trying to bring a similar feeling to the squad here, in terms of getting to know the players on and off the pitch. It’s definitely a little bit different than being at your club day in day out, but the squad’s really getting there now and becoming very settled now and everyone’s definitely on the same page.
Favourite biscuit?
Oreo
What do you do in your spare time?
Spend a lot of time with my friends and girlfriend. Got a lot of close friends in London, quite a close-knit group, so will go out for dinner or for a beer with them and just get away from rugby.
Who is the biggest practical joker in the squad?
James Haskell, he’s always having a joke and a mess around.
If you could be stuck in a lift with anyone, who would it be?
Probably Megan Fox, for obvious reasons!
What is your most treasured possession?
Laptop it’s got all my memories of friends, family, growing up and a lot of pretty important information on there, so I’d probably grab that if my house was burning down!
What is the last film you watched?
Saw 6.
O2 customers get priority matchday experiences at Twickenham thanks to O2, England Team Sponsor. Visit o2.co.uk/blueroom for more information.
Want to ask a member of the England team a question?
Following our recent interviews with Mark Cueto, Danny Care and Shane Geraghty, we will be stepping inside the camp again next week, so here’s your chance to get your questions answered!
By Craig Davies
England have called up rugby league converts Chris Ashton and Shontayne Hape to their 
England’s 
Maximum Rugby stepped inside the England camp thanks to main sponsors O2, to have a chat with Lewis Moody, who was speaking on behalf of the England Rugby team.
