By Duncan Wood
November 28 2002

He was named man of the match in his full debut against Montferrand and was also man of the match at the Rec last weekend. He spared me a few minutes to comment on what has been an incredible few weeks for him.

First things first, we've just had a big win over Bath. As a local lad, what did that mean to you?

Oh, it means everything to anybody from Bristol. I've always supported Bristol and, every time I've watched a Bristol vs Bath match, it's meant a lot. I'm just glad that we finally got one over them at their place!

Did you ever attend any Bath vs Bristol games as a spectator?

I did yeah, quite a few times and always looked out for the result even if I couldn't be there. As a player, I played in the U19s and U21s.

About 15 to 20 minutes into the second half, they started to claw it back. What was the feeling in the team at that point? Nervous or still confident?

I was nervous! Bath always seem to come back at you. I don't know why, maybe the game and the place lifts them. Their crowd seems to lift them and they're obviously a very proud team and proud of their record at home.

Of course we were nervous because we hadn't won there for 21 years and it was of great importance that we won for our league position. Losing Arch made it even more nerve wracking but the team's attitude, the will to win and the tackle count from every player was fantastic.

And how much of a boost has that win given the whole squad ahead of Newcastle this weekend?

It's been massive. It proves that we can win away which we hadn't done until that point this season and that's going to give us a lot of confidence.

The way we've been tackling this last couple of games and the way we've got off the line, no-one's been missing tackles which has been fantastic and will give us a lot of confidence for Newcastle.

One last question about Bath. An awful lot of Bristol supporters went down there and made an awful lot of noise. What did that mean to the players?

Fantastic! At the end of the game, we all went over to them and it was magic! To do that at Bath was magic!

It's been a whirlwind few weeks for yourself starting with Montferrand. How much notice did you get that you were going to start that game?

I knew from the start of the week but it was a bit of a shock because I wasn't even sure that I'd be on the bench!

It was a massive shock to me and I was extremely, extremely nervous before the game but a lot of the guys helped me out. Garath spoke to me and told me to play my normal game, I'd been impressive all year and it was only a matter of time before I got the start.

And have you had chance to look back at the video yet?

Yeah, I've taped it and watched it a couple of times! My tackling and defence was the main part of it and that's what people told me to do. They told me to go out and concentrate on making my tackles and doing the basics well and that's what I tried to do.

Since then you've retained your place. How much of a confidence boost is that for you?

Pete's been brilliant in keeping faith with me. I really needed a big game last week and I feel like I did that and hopefully I'll be playing again this weekend.

It's brilliant that he's kept faith with a young guy like me with not much experience.

Am I right in thinking that you've played all across the back row?

I wouldn't say that number eight isn't my first choice position but I'm quite happy to play anywhere in the back row.

When I was at Clifton before I came to Bristol, I played number eight and in the U21s I mainly played blindside but in a lot of the United games I played at eight.

This year I started off playing openside in Ireland and, again in one of the United games, I played at eight and think I played quite well. He (Pete) must have seen something in me!

I'm quite happy playing at eight. You have to do more and think a lot more. There are a lot more calls and you have to take control a lot more. I'm quite happy doing it and getting more confident doing it.

It must help having a quality scrum half like Agustin Pichot behind you?

Brilliant. He's been fantastic. When I play with Pich he helps me a heck of a lot. He's always talking to me.

Looking ahead to Newcastle, we beat them well a few weeks back. Are you expecting them to hit back on Sunday?

Yes. We really gave them a hard time especially in the scrum in the first half. That was brilliant for us and what we based our game upon.

This week they'll know that they really have to raise their game and Stuart Grimes is back. So, they'll really come back at us.

Have you identified any particular danger men for Sunday?

I'm not sure if Jonny Wilkinson is going to be fit or not yet. Obviously, he'll be the dangerman if he's playing.

They have some players coming back from international duty like Stuart Grimes and I'm sure their pack is going to be bolstered. We expect a massive game and we're really up for it.

After Newcastle, it's away and home European games against Swansea. Have you started preparing for those or is it "one match at a time?"

We're just looking at Newcastle at the moment. We really need another win and we really want to get clear of that bottom place. Newcastle first and then we'll think about Swansea after.

Any prediction for Sunday?

I'm not really sure. I wouldn't like to put my money where my mouth is! All I can say is that we'll do our very best.