Lydia Symonds spoke to England and Cass student rugby played Matt Chambers, 22, for our weekly sports column.
Who is your sporting hero?
Martin Johnson. I was 13 when we won the Rugby World Cup and I still have it recorded at home.
What is your best sporting moment?
Winning the U18 European Academy Championship with Saracens after beating Toulouse in the final.
And the worst?
Losing to Italy at L’Aquila with England Students last season. We were playing an “Emerging Italy” side, but they had numerous players who had played at the World Cup and a few who are part of their Six Nations squad now. We ended up losing the game by about 60 points. But it was the first game played in L’Aquila since the earthquake of 2009 had devastated the town, so it was nice to be part of that.
Do you have any sporting ambitions?
I want to play rugby to the highest standard possible while remaining only semi-professional. I am due to start work on a grad scheme in September, and as such don’t have the time to consider turning fully professional. I currently play for Old Albanian RFC in St Albans and we are sitting in 5th in the highest league you can play in and still be part time. As long as I am enjoying my rugby, and playing competitive matches each week, I’m happy.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t go out the night before games; hangovers hurt.
What is the best advice to give to a youngster?
I stick by the logic that if I am doing more training than my competition, then I will be better prepared, which gives me the confidence that I am better than the opposition.
Any lucky item of clothing you wear when you play?
I’ve worn one pair of boxers for 10 games this season, including the England fixture against Portugal, and we have won every one. It just means that I have a scramble to try and find them on match days.
What possession would you save if your house was burning down?
My MacBook.There’s too much coursework saved on it to risk losing it.
Favourite Islington hang-out?
What, apart from Cass Business School? Earl of Essex pub is alright.
Which four people would you have round for dinner and why?
Clive Woodward would definitely be one. He has some really interesting views on sport, coaching and the parallels between sport and business.
Bradley Wiggins, after his performance at the BBC sports personality of the year, would be good company.
Andrew Flintoff. I think he would have quite a few funny stories from tours gone by up his sleeve.
And probably Mick Jagger. I’m a fan of the Rolling Stones and he would definitely have some good stories to tell.
