Every fortnight we go behind the scenes to bring you closer to the Warriors players.
This week, we speak to Academy full-back, Ben Howard, who is set to start against Cardiff Blues in Friday’s LV= Cup clash.
In his third year at the club, the England Under 20 world champion discusses life, ambitions and living with his Sixways teammates.
Age: 20
Warriors apps/pts:11/25
Country: England
Favourite food: Lasagne
Favourite film: Pulp Fiction
Favourite band: Vengaboys
How did you get into rugby?
My whole family are rugby mad. I started playing at Sandal RFC in Yorkshire when I was six-years-old and then moved to Warwick, where I played for Stratford RFC. I was just playing at Warwick School but always wanted a career in the game. I’m really lucky that I get to come and play rugby every day.
What do you hope to achieve at Warriors?
This is my third year at Warriors and I’d like to have a long career here. You look at the guys that have played 100 games and have their name up on the wall outside the changing room – that’s something you initially inspire to achieve. In the long run, I’d love to be part of Warriors progressing from where we are now. Hopefully we can push on to become a top-six club and win trophies in the future.
What do you expect from Cardiff on Friday night?
Cardiff Arms Park holds good memories for me. I made my first ever first-team start in pre-season there last year. We played them again in the summer so we will be up against a few familiar faces. The artificial pitch will be interesting as a few of the boys won’t have played on one before. The pitch will make the game faster. Cardiff will be high in confidence after recent wins. We’re expecting a tough task but the guys that have the opportunity to play are going to be eager to prove something to Dean and hopefully that edge will see us through.
Dean Ryan has spoken positively about the young players at the club. How do you feel the new regime is benefiting your game?
We’re definitely benefiting from the coaches. Shane Howarth has a big say in my game. Sam Vesty helps a lot and I also use Chris Pennell as a role model. I feel much more comfortable now than I did last year.
What was it like to make your Aviva Premiership debut against Leicester last season?
I got to play against Manu Tuilagi, Toby Flood and Jordan Murphy. It was an unbelievable experience for me in front of 20,000 people and was up there as one of the best days of my life.
What do you get up to when you’re not playing rugby?
Recently I bought a ukulele and went online to learn how to play it! I watched a few videos and I can now play one song. Apparently it’s the easiest instrument to play. I also play cricket out of season and last summer we had a Warriors six-a-side tournament at Gloucester, which we won. I love going out for a coffee.
You live in the Warriors Academy house with eight of the lads. Is that fun?
There’s never a dull moment. We once had a massive house argument over a pepper that Josh Buggea had cut-up and left on the side. It stayed there for three days. I lost my head and threw it in his bedroom. He then threw it in my room and the seeds went everywhere. I spend most of my spare time trying to get Josh to do the washing up!
Do you think living with these guys helps you bond better on the field?
It’s nice to play alongside them for the Cavaliers. You get to know how they play and that can only help us as we are gaining a greater understanding of each other’s game. Living together brings us even closer. Dean Hammond has come in from South Africa and being with a number of the other guys has helped his transition.