When did you start taking rugby seriously? When I was going into high school. I had played it in Primary Four and with Howe of Fife rugby club, and my…
Hotshots
Hotshot: Connacht wing Ciaran Gaffney
When did you start playing rugby? My dad, John, is a coach at Galwegians and I used to go to training with him every Saturday. He convinced me to join…
Hotshots: Northampton prop Paul Hill
We gather you were born in Germany? Yes, my mum is German and my dad is English. We lived there until I was about one. When did you take up…
Hotshots: Edinburgh back row Jamie Ritchie
Where did you first pick up a rugby ball? My first club, for minis, was Madras, in St Andrews. I went to Strathallan on a scholarship when I was coming…
Hotshots: Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams
When did you start playing rugby? With Treorchy U7. One of my brothers was there and my old man (Steve Williams) was a coach. He coached us all the way…
Hotshots: Ospreys lock Rory Thornton
When were you bitten by the rugby bug? I started in the U8s at Bonymaen with my neighbour Oliver Treviso. He still plays for them now. I was hooked…
Hotshots: Harlequins centre Joe Marchant
Which was your first team? Winchester U7. I stayed with Winchester through the age groups. Did you play other sports? I’m a black belt in karate, I swam and did…
Hotshots: Leinster and UCD scrum-half Nick McCarthy
When did you start playing rugby? When I was about six, at Old Belvedere and St Michael’s College. Have you played different positions? I was a scrum-half from the start.…
Hotshots: Bristol prop Ellis Genge
Tell us about your rugby background… I started when I was about nine, at Old Redcliffians. I had played football until then. Once I was about 12 rugby became my…
Hotshots: Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Ali Price
You were born in England, so how are you Scotland qualified? My mum, Carol, is Scottish, but I was born in King’s Lynn and went to Wisbech Grammar School. When…