Gloucester full-back Charlie Sharples talks pranks, party guests and PlayStation

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How did Gloucester celebrate the Challenge Cup win?

We all met up at midday on the Saturday for a good old-fashioned drinking session. It was nice getting all the boys together and having something to celebrate.

Any practical jokes you can share?

There’s always something going on. Someone once cut a hole in Lesley Vainikolo’s sock, so he then cut everyone’s socks! Nick Wood took the aerial off Jonny May’s car and every time Jonny bought a new one, Nick would nick it. There were about five aerials in his car!

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on the pitch?

I wasn’t actually on the pitch at the time, but it has to be Jonny May running 20 metres to score a try at the U20 World Cup with his pants pulled down!

Do you have any phobias?

I’m not a massive fan of snakes. I don’t like the way they move. I’m the same with anything like that. When I’ve been snorkling or diving and seen eels or sea snakes, I’ve steered well clear.

What are you bugbears?

I don’t like people touching my stuff. Or people who chew their food really loudly. In a squad of rugby players there are some terrible eating habits! A lot of things annoy me – I’m quite irritable.

If you could be any of your team-mates, who would it be?

John Afoa – for his pay cheque!

Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with?

Someone with stories to tell. Will Ferrell – he’s hilarious. He always seems to be in character so it would be interesting to see what he’s like.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Probably to fly. That would be a cool one. You’d never have to be stuck in traffic. It would come in useful on the pitch as well.

What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever bought?

Night vision goggles. I used to play a lot of video games and when a new Call of Duty came out, you could get night vision goggles with it. Henry Trinder and I would turn off the lights in our house and creep around with them on.

Who would be your dream dinner party guests?

David Beckham is a cool bloke and would have good stories. Someone funny like Jimmy Carr for comedy. Now, do I go all lads or throw a nice lady in there? I’ll say Megan Fox for eye candy.

Megan Fox

Sharp dresser: American actress Megan Fox could be an interesting dinner guest. Photo: Getty Images

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Jason Statham – a better-looking version of me!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I don’t feel guilty about any of my pleasures! I’m also busy – I’m doing a degree in leadership and management, and my wife and I have done the house up. I suppose it’s playing on PlayStation. I don’t have much time, so if I do get a chance to play video games it’s great.

What would you like to achieve outside of rugby?

Just to have a job I enjoy as much as rugby. I don’t want to feel like I’m going to work every day, but that I’m doing something I enjoy.

How would you like to be remembered?

Just as a good, honest, hard-working bloke who put his heart into it every time he pulled on a Gloucester jersey.

This article appeared in the July 2015 issue of Rugby World. For the latest subscription offers, click here or find out how to download the digital edition here.