Players / My World

Nick Kennedy

/ London Irish and England

The stats don’t lie! He stands head and shoulders above his peers in the line-out, collectively grabbing more clean takes and steals than any other specialist jumper. His fantastic feet, eyes and hands make him the envy of every forwards coach in England, but not because he hates training in the winter.

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I gave up rugby altogether. I used to play on the wing when I first started but then I played a bit of basketball at university. I’d have liked to carry it on but I wasn’t good enough and basically got bullied out of it and went back to rugby. When I came to London Irish and played for the U21s, then I became a second row.

 

He never made a mistake Matt Burke’s the best player I’ve played against, just for his consistency and he always does the right thing.

 

Bob Casey’s my toughest opponent Paul Gustard at Saracens tries to get to you with a lot a chat but he usually tries it on when he’s really tired and it’s fairly brutal but I end up laughing most of the time and it does put you off your game.

 

Paul Sackey and Riki Flutey left because they wanted to go onto bigger and better things We didn’t beat them this season, but when we got the better of them last season, it was extra special to put one over on them.

 

I’ve got loads of rituals. I’m really superstitious I always eat spaghetti bolognaise the night before a game and always have the same breakfast of porridge and fruit and then chicken with a little bit of pasta. I always pack my bag in the same way, first the same shoulder pads and then the cycling shorts. I’m a real nerd with it all.

 

I used to listen to my iPod before a game  Now Topsy Ojo puts together a nice mix each week so we’ve always got music playing in the changing room.

 

I like going out with boys If we’ve got the next day off but if not then ill just get a load of take away food in. I love pizza and cakes and I’m also a big fan of puddings, especially sticky toffee with custard, I probably eat too much of that as it’s my favourite.