By Duncan Wood
May 29 2002

The Bristol Shoguns held a media day ahead of the Northampton clash. Phil Christophers was one of the main attractions following his selection for the England tour of Argentina but he still found time to chat to me.

So, how was Sunday? (England vs Barbarians)

Oh, it was amazing! An amazing experience, playing against some of the greatest players ever to play rugby. And scoring two tries on my debut, it’s a dream come true.

And, of course, the subsequent selection for the England tour of Argentina?

Oh, even more delighted. Hopefully I’ll be able to show what I can do and hopefully improve my game during the course of the tour.

It’s been a fantastic season for you. This time last year, if you’ll forgive me for saying so, not many people in Bristol had heard of you. How would you summarise the season?

It’s been an amazing season. It’s difficult to explain. Coming through the ranks, last summer playing the 21s SANZAR tournament and signing here hoping to get a first team place. Being able to improve thanks to the likes of Jase, Felipe and Pich and all the other good players at Bristol. I was able to play England A in the Nations tournament which was obviously fantastic then being selected for this Barbarians game was the highlight of my rugby career. Now being selected for the tour tops that so it’s been a bit of a shock to the system!

You’ve played 3 different positions for Bristol so far. Which is your preferred position?

I do like to play in the centre – you just get more first phase ball. I like to play at fullback as you can see everything on the pitch. You’ve got all options open, you can run it, kick it, do whatever you want to. Wing is a very different position to the others. You’ve got a lot of off the ball work, you’ve got to get in the right position to support. It gives you the possibility to do whatever you want to, you can jump into whatever position you want. You can support, you can slot in at 10 and you can do my favourite thing which is to counter attack. I suppose I do prefer to play in the centre but I just want to play!

Do you think the versatility will help you in the future or would you like to specialise in one position?

It can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing. You can learn a lot if you play in the different positions, it gives you the best of everything and you can add the different attributes to your game. But you can also be labelled as a versatility player which isn’t always good. You don’t want to be the ideal man to sit on the bench or you end up as the guy who has to move around the team all the time! I don’t know, it’s not my choice really. It’s the coach’s choice where he wants to play me.

Thinking ahead to Saturday, what will you have learned from the recent game against Northampton?

We have to be very careful. They gained a lot of momentum with their pick and drive game then they kept the game close by switching back with their centres so the forwards could get there quickly in pods. Then they spin it wide after a few phases.

I don’t know if Daws is playing but he and Paul Grayson are two fantastic playmakers who know how to play the game. They read the game really well. So, we’ve got to be careful, we’ve got to play our own game and not get sucked into that way of playing the game.

Do you think next season will be tougher still now that more people know about you and will have had the chance to watch you in action on video?

Of course. But we will have learned a lot as well. I will have learned a lot as well about the way the game is played. I’ll be able to adjust myself to defences better so hopefully I’ll be able to continue to improve my game.

As soon as Bristol finish, hopefully after Twickenham, you fly out with England. Are you going to get any time off before preseason?

I’ll have to! I haven’t really had a break for several years. I’ve had tours in the off season. I had an operation a couple of years ago and I’ve had my studies so I haven’t really had the chance for a big break. I’ll need some time off just to pause and mentally switch off. It can be rugby, rugby, rugby and you need to time to think about other things otherwise you get one dimensional.