You are one of a number of former London Irish Mini and Youth players who went on to achieve International representative honours. What are your earliest memories of London Irish, the mini festivals, tours and tournaments?

I started with the London Irish Mini's in 1984 as a 5 year old. My Dad was bringing my older brother Andrew down to Sunbury and I decided to tag along, the rest as they say is history. I ended up staying until I signed for Connacht in 2006 and as a family, we have a huge connection to the Club. Both of my brothers, Andrew and David, played for the Mini's, Youths and U21's. My Dad coached underage teams at the Club for well over 10 years, he was also Mini and Youth Coordinator and sponsored tournaments. He started the first ever U17 festival amd sponsored it for many years. He also ferried the three of us around the country and beyond to various tournaments. My Mum was also heavily involved with the club, amongst many other things running the first London Irish kit shop at The Avenue in Sunbury and also starting the Irish coffee stall that ran on 1XV matchday that helped raise funds for tours for the underage teams. A little known fact is that my Mum also played a game for the first ever ladies' team that started at London Irish!!

We would spend a large part of our weekends down at the Club watching or playing games but the highlight of the season was always the London Irish Mini Festival held at the end of the year. We had a great team and won 5 of the 6 tournaments that we played in from U7-12's. From U7 to U17 we only lost a handful of games and won the majority of the tournaments that we played in - I still have the medals to prove it!!!!

Who were the coaches that influenced you and what was it about them that inspired you?

The main coaches that we had at London Irish over the years were Tom Campbell - Kieran Campbell's Dad - and Martin Duggan who was the Dad of our 2nd row/No.8 James. The commitment they showed every week to help us improve was great and looking back now they shaped the way we played the game very well.

My Dad never actually coached my age group but he was the biggest influence on my game from a very young age right up until I retired. He would always be there watching, helping me and my two brothers work on our game or was just there to bounce a few ideas off. Our games of rugby in our front room were often quite "Lively" to say the least, so Mum and Dad had to do their fair share of refereeing as well!

Tell us about how you felt making your debut for London Irish aged 18?

I made my full debut against Leicester in 1998 at The Avenue. Playing for the 1stXV of the Club that I had joined and supported since a child was a moment that I will never forget. Unfortunately the result didn't go our way that day but making my debut against the "ABC" club was a pretty special way to start a career for any front rower!

Note for our younger readers: ABC refers to the letters the Leicester front row used to wear before Premiership clubs were told to adopt numbers.

You were a member of the 1998 Ireland Under-19 Rugby World Championship winning team with another former London Irish mini and youth player, Kieran Campbell. Tell us what that experience was like?

The World Cup was a great experience and beating France 18-0 in the Final at a packed Stade Toulousian was a great way to cap it off. We had a great group of players including Kieran Campbell, Paddy Wallace, Donnacha O'Callaghan and Brian O'Driscoll who all went on to further representative honours. Declan Kidney was also our Head Coach and I was delighted when I read that he would be taking the reins at London Irish.

After almost 160 caps for Connacht, you retired and now have a successful coaching career. What advice would you give to aspiring young players today?

I think any player at any level should take every opportunity available to be the best that they can be on a day-to-day basis. Don't settle for mediocrity and listen to the coaches when they are helping you. Be honest with yourself with regard to the work that are you putting in. Create good habits from an early age that will help you later on in your career. And most importantly, enjoy it! Rugby is a great game that can give you lifelong opportunities and experiences regardless of the level you are playing it so have fun whilst you are doing it!!

Enjoyed this article or your time at London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club? Why not leave us a Google Review https://g.page/LIARFC/review?rc