COYSDC: So, Damien, tough times?

 

DB1: Yeah, it’s tough, big game; you know, hard to call.

 

COYSDC: How’s the mood in the squad?

 

DB1: Surprisingly good, you know. Everyone’s aware of the implications regarding this match but you can’t let that get you down. Everyone’s been really positive this week which can only be helpful.

 

COYSDC: Have you had a problem with the constant changes in the 2nd row?

 

DB1: No, not really. It might be better with a settled partnership but there are four or five guys that can play at this standard and we are competing for places. If myself or say, Christian [Short], don’t front up then the other guys must be given the chance in the team. We’ve all been around long enough to know what’s expected of us and the guys are just waiting for a chance to show what they can do.

 

COYSDC: On to Bristol. Are you expecting the line-outs to be a bit “feisty”? Obviously, there’s a bit of history between the two sides now.

 

DB1: We’ve been working on the line-out all week. If you do the same moves for a few matches then the opposition pick up on that so we’ve been trying some new stuff. If we can control the set-piece then we can be in the game on Sunday.

 

COYSDC: Are you a fan of the Memorial Ground?

 

DB1: It’s not one of my favourite venues to be honest but it is a hard place to play. Most places seem to merge into one to be honest what with the noise and everything. Sometimes it can be a little bit intimidating.

 

COYSDC: They have got some old boys in the pack – Can they last the 80 minutes?

 

DB1: They are a seriously experienced group of boys. If I’m still going at that age then I’ll be very happy.

 

COYSDC: What’s it like having Christian Labit behind you at Number 8?

 

DB1: It’s good. He doesn’t know a lot of English so there is a lot of sign language going on, hand gestures and the like but he is just so experienced, it can only be good.

 

COYSDC: Are you looking forward to Biarritz?

 

DB1: It’s not something we’ve talked about to be honest. We’re just focused on Sunday. But it’s not every day you get the chance to play in a Heineken Cup quarter final. It’s a huge game and I’m really looking forward to it.

 

COYSDC: Splits in the camp? Can we move forward?

 

DB1: We’re all in this together, mate. There have been lots of rumours and we read them as well as you. We know that we are very much a squad. Everyone is in for the hard yards in the next four weeks.

 

COYSDC: Just two more questions, Damien. Can you not leave it for 76 minutes this time?

 

DB1 (smiling): Yeah, I know! What were we, 14 nil down or something? (it was 16 nil actually, Ed.) That was pretty sweet to come back like that. The [Bristol] boys were mouthing off like they had won the game and then we did that. Pretty sweet.

 

COYSDC: Let’s hope for more of the same and another win. Last question, do you read comeonyousaints.com?

 

DB1: No I don’t, actually. I’m a pretty simple fella and I don’t even have the internet in the house. I’ll have to have a look now though!

 

COYSDC: Damien, thank you very much for your time.

 

DB1: You are very welcome, guys.

 

 

Many thanks to Damien Browne for taking the time to talk to us and to Chris Wearmouth for arranging the meeting.

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