Danny Care (DC): Cheers

Nickname: Care Bear or DC
Favourite Film: Lord of the Rings
Favourite Band or Artist: I’d have to say Westlife, (lots of laughing) nah, I’m not sure, I listen to anything really
Favourite Actress: Jessica Alba
Favourite Food: Fish and Chips

A: Did you manage to get a holiday in over the summer? And if so where did you go?

DC: I didn’t get a holiday over the summer actually, first time since I can remember that I haven’t been away for the summer. I had loads of stuff to sort out with the house down here, so I didn’t get away, but I did get a few trips with sevens last yeah, so that was good.

A: Is Nick Easter going to make the starting XV for the World cup?

DC: I think he will. I think he has shown that he deserves to, with those four tries against Wales, you have got to be something pretty special to score four tries in an England jersey. So I think he will, yeah.

A: Who is going to win the World Cup?

DC: I think New Zealand, but you never know.

A: Can you tell us a joke?

DC: I’ve got a terrible one. It’s not any good, but it’s the first one I ever, ever learnt. What’s a frogs favourite drink?

A: I don’t know what is a frog’s favourite drink?

DC: Croak a cola!

A: Excellent! That will be going in then. How has the return to training been?

DC: Good, it’s been really good. Sometimes when you finish a season you don’t know what to do with your time, so it’s been really good going back into training, seeing all the boys and having a bit of banter with lads. Especially with this joker over here (indicates to Ugo)

A: I saw him pulling faces at Stuart (Abbott) trying to put him off during the press conference.

DC: yeah….But it’s been good, we’re all enjoying it and just looking forward to playing now, we’re sick of running up hills and stuff.

A: Who has been the toughest opponent you have played against?

A: I think the toughest opponent I’ve played against, I was lucky enough to play against Jonah Lomu last year, when I was playing for Leeds against Cardiff. So that was pretty special. Obviously he wasn’t as good as he used to be, but you could still see it, he shrugged off a few people so I think he must be the biggest person I’ve played against.

A: What other number 9’s do you rate?

DC: Mark Robinson is really good, hopefully I’ll be playing against him this Saturday, so he’ll be really good to play against. Eoin Redden at Wasps I really rate. Ben Foden, who I’m good mates with, at Sale, it’ll be good to play against him this year. There are a lot of young, good scrum halves around who will get their chance this year.

A: So we’ve got lots of back up to you when you’ll be first choice number nine for England then.

DC: Yeah, hopefully.

A: What was the best match you have had in a Quins shirt?

DC: I haven’t had one yet. I mean last year was a bit frustrating for me, I didn’t really feel I had played as good as I could when I had my chances. I’d like to have played better, probably Montpellier at home, I managed to get a try in that game, so I was really pleased with that, although I did throw an intercept and he ran 90 metres and Ugo had to chase him down, but apart from that I thought I did alright in that game and it is always good to get a try.

A: What are your personal goals and ambitions for this season?

DC: Getting in the starting line up, hopefully from the first game against London Irish, just showing people what I can do, bringing a more attacking element to my position.

A: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

DC - Definitely have to be flying

A: Who were your rugby heroes when you were growing up?

DC: I always really liked Matt Dawson and Jonah Lomu and I always like Marshall as well, so that was brilliant to be able to play with him!

A: Who is the biggest prankster in the squad?

DC - Tommy Williams and Will Skinner would probably be up there. Ugo thinks he’s got good banter, but definitely hasn’t, so I’d say Tommy or Skins.

A: You’ve already touched on it a little bit, but did you find last season frustrating, you arrived at the club with this burgeoning reputation and then you didn’t get as much game time as you were probably hoping. I think a number of the fans were disappointed that you didn’t get more game time, towards the end of the season when we were safe.

DC: It was really frustrating, there is nothing worse than seeing all your mates go and play. I was living with Stretts and seeing how well he was doing, I just wanted to get out there and do the same. It was frustrating but I can see why the coaches did it, they needed Gommers to bring that experience, hopefully I can show them something different this year. Prove a point really.

A: I suppose this forthcoming season is going to be really exciting for you, what with Steve away with Samoa and Gommers away with England. We don’t know, as fans, whether they have brought anyone else in, maybe Ryan Manyika can play Scrum half….

DC: He’s mainly a fly-half, but yeah I’m kind of in by default, which a lot people are giving me a bit of banter for. I’m just really looking forward to playing really, have a good season and show everyone what I can do, show the fans what I can do. I like running with the ball , I like scoring tries, I like a good celebration, it’ll be good to get a few opportunities this year.

A: Was it a relief to see that Steve So’oailo was not lining up against fro Samoa last week?

DC: I was a bit disappointed actually because I thought it would be good to play against him and that we could have a bit of joke in the game, but then he wasn’t playing and now he’s got this little injury, so I wish him all the best, and hopefully he’ll still be able to go away with Samoa.

A: Can you tell us anything about Ryan (Manyika) as there has been a bit of chat about him since he played in the Samoa game?

DC: He’s 18 I think, he’s really skilful and when he gets the ball in his hands you never know which way he going to go, if he gets a chance this year he’ll bring a bit of flair, he’ll be a really good fly half. I think you’ll see him carve a few people up in the a-league.

A: Cool! Thanks for your time Danny and good luck for the new season.

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