Every fortnight we will be going behind the scenes to bring you closer to the Worcester Warriors players.
This week we speak to Warriors centre Alex Grove, who has recently returned to action after missing the start of the 2013/14 campaign through injury.
Age: 25
Warriors apps/pts: 113/120
Country: Scotland
Favourite food: Chicken dhansak and all the extras
Favourite film: Wedding Crashers
Favourite band: Oasis
You must be glad to be back in action?
It’s great to be back. I had a good pre-season under my belt but I just fell at the final hurdle, which kept me out of the first four games. It’s hard watching from the sidelines, especially when the season comes around. You can’t get on the pitch and help the boys or do anything when you are itching to be out there.
How do you think Dean Ryan and the coaching staff have improved the squad?
The level of detail we are exposed to is significantly better and it’s up to us as players to transfer that onto the field. What the coaches are very good at is challenging players to improve and they know when to put an arm round someone or to give them a kick in the right direction.
Are you confident going forward?
Yes. We have to keep faith. When the pressure of a match comes, we’ve been going into our shells or forgetting important bits of detail, which we need to hang on to if we are to compete at the highest level. There is no doubt what we do in the week is of high quality. We need to get better at transferring what we do in training from a Monday to Friday and put that onto the field on a Saturday.
What do you think of Exeter Chiefs, who we meet on Saturday?
They are a team that don’t necessarily have superstars on paper but collectively they consistently perform to a high level and that has shown in the last couple of years. They’ve worked their way up the table after getting promoted. They have a strong work ethic and they try and play with a huge amount of intensity from the first minute and try and blow teams away within the first-half.
Do any individuals stand out to you in the Chiefs team?
I’d say Haydn Thomas is dangerous around the breakdown. He allows them to play a fast tempo and at the same time they have always got options because they work so hard in attack and their forwards have got the skill to carry or give a pass under pressure.
Do you have any ambitions to get back into the Scotland set-up?
I’d love to get back into the Scotland squad. It would be easy to assume that the longer you spend out of the mix the harder it is to get back in but the reality is that if you’re playing at the top level and putting in decent performances every week then you can’t be ignored.
What is your most memorable Warriors match?
It’s either gaining promotion from the Championship when we beat Cornish Pirates in 2011 or my first Premiership start when we beat Wasps in 2009. Willie Walker got a drop goal to win the game 13-12 in the last minute.
What is your best moment in rugby?
Playing for Scotland when we beat Australia 9-8 in 2009.
Who is your best friend at the club?
I have two. Chris Pennell is someone who I’ve come up through the system with here at Warriors and we live close to each other. My other is Ed Shervington because he is a berserk human being.
What do you get up to away from the game?
My girlfriend lives in London so I spend a bit of time visiting her. When I’m down there we go to the theatre. We saw The Jersey Boys and Billy Elliott recently which were brilliant. I enjoy painting too because it chills me out.
How’s the golf?
I’m a fair-weather golfer but I’m not particularly good. I finish a round and then decide what my handicap is! Chris Pennell is quite handy and Rob O’Donnell and Rich de Carpentier enjoy a game. Ed Shervington played one round and then retired because he said he didn’t have the flexibility.