England & Falcons Jamie Noon  - Exclusive Interview

Jamie worked his way up through the Newcastle Falcons Acadamey, made his mark in the England Sevens team, England A and was unlucky not to be included in the 30 man Rugby World Cup Squad.    An outstanding talented Centre and a super guy.   Jamie took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Unofficial England Rugby about the importance of winning the Powergen Cup for the Falcons, England training and his hopes for the coming few months.

Kath:  Jamie first of all everyone at  www.unofficialenglandrugby.co.uk   would like to congratulate you and the Newcastle Falcons on a wonderful Powergen Cup Final Win.   This of course means Heineken Cup European Rugby next year, how important is this to you personally and the Falcons?  

Jamie:    It’s a great boost for the club as it ensures top flight rugby in the region, also adds to the appeal of Newcastle Falcons.   So this summer when we are recruiting players or trying to sign our academy players then we have something to offer.    For me personally it means I can continue to learn and gain invaluable experiences and so hopefully become a better player. 

Kath: Now then you don't normally wear a scrum cap, why did you wear a scrum cap in the first half of the PowerGen final and not the second?

Jamie: Well I got concussion against Leicester tigers and so had two weeks off before the final.    I wore the bash hat so that I would still have the confidence to put my head in those risky places.     I took it off though because I was way too hot and my team mates complained I couldn’t hear them to pass to them. 

Kath:    Thinking of England and if we could start with 7s, you were a member of England’s first ever winning Hong Kong Sevens side, do you think the 7s experience helped your England career and did it help you move up to the main England Squad?

Jamie: I think it did help as I gained a lot of experience on and off the field, I learned the way England prepared for games, competitions both physically and mentally.    Not only that but I was playing against some very high quality players. 

Kath:   You went onto play in all three tests on England's summer tour of North America in 2001 and I believe your first England A cap was against Canada - lining up alongside your teamates Michael Stephenson and Dave Walder that must have been a special moment for you and the guys can you describe how you felt that day?         

  Jamie: I was very proud and excited to be putting on that white shirt officially for the first time, but to do it alongside Dave and Stevo was special.    I had always said that if I got a cap I would like to have one of the lads alongside me.     I think the fact that they were with me in the game and preparing for it made me more relaxed about the occasion. 

Kath:    Last summer you were selected as part of the 43man England Rugby World Cup Squad which was a wonderful achievement but losing out when the squad went down to 30.  That must have been gut wrenching, how did you work through the disappointment? 

Jamie: It was quite hard, but like every time I step on to the field I didn’t want to let the lads or myself down.   Mixture of pride and a desire to be the best I can be. 

Kath:   Would I be correct in thinking that you are pushing hard again to be selected for a place in the 2004 Summer Tour Squad and how hopeful are you of that goal. 

Jamie: There are a great number of good quality centres out there at the moment all competing for a few places so it will be tough.    I’ve been dropped many times before so I’m just going to wait and see.

Kath:   How much of a step up is the England training from normal club training and which bit is the hardest?

Jamie: The fitness sessions are quite tough, it’s also weird when you train with players you have just been playing or are about to play especially if you lost or gave them a cheap shot. 

Kath:   Thinking of the England training regime can you tell us about one of the most important things you learnt during your time with the squad and have you been able to incorporate this into your club game. 

Jamie: It’s quite hard to pin point one element, I have gained so much from my time with the England team.   I think one thing that will stay with me are friends from the other clubs.   The team makes you feel so welcome and all of them will have a chat with you when you are first included in the squad  which is great.

Kath:   Who would you say has had the biggest influence over your England career?   

Jamie: Mmm?  Probably the guy who picks the team, so that would be Clive.

Kath:   Looking at the England squad, who do you see as your main challengers beyond the current England
players?

Jamie: There are some great players still playing like Mike Catt and Will Greenwood, some excellent young players like Andy Higgins and Ollie Smith and loads of players that are the same age as myself such as Mike Tindall, Phil Christophers, Stuart Abbott and Geoff Appleford.   All of the players are looking for the same place on the team as myself. 

Kath:   What is your personal goal for the end of this season and into next?

Jamie: I want to be included in a summer tour of some description so that I’m still in the running with regard to the England squad.    Next year I want to try and continue the form I have had for the last two years with Newcastle falcons and keep pushing for a England squad place.    My current contract with Newcastle is due to end next year so I would love to impress and help the Falcons in Europe, league and cup competitions. 

Kath:   Jamie what do you class up to now as the highlight of your England career?

Jamie: I don’t really see myself as having had much of an England career but I have fond memories of my time in Canada and America during the lions tour and I enjoyed running out against Wales in Cardiff for the World Cup warm up match.

Kath:   Jamie if you had to be a forward, which position would you play and do you know of these so called 'Dark Arts'?

Jamie: I used to be an openside flanker at school, and loved it so I’d like to think I could make the switch when I get older and slower just to prolong my career.    However the little I knew, has moved on a lot but every time I get caught in a ruck or maul someone is quick to give me a lesson.

Kath:  On a lighter note I hear you are learning to play the guitar with Jonny, is this true?  If so, can we all look forward to a duo sometime as long as neither of you sing!!!!  Go on now your going to tell me you have a fantastic voice aren't you!

Jamie:   Well only part of that is true, I’m learning to play whilst Jonny can play so when we get together he  spends his time helping me, so the duet will have to wait a while I think. As singing and playing is even harder than just playing, I’m going to leave that to the professionals!    

Also I think I may just be tone deaf! Pardon!

Thank you Jamie for talking to us today and from all the fans at Unofficial England Rugby & Falcons, we wish you the very best of luck for the coming months and next season. Kath

Good Luck to Jamie who is starting tomorrow for England against Wales Six Nations 2005

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