Now that Craig has had time to settle at Ealing I've had a little catch up with Craig to find out a little more about him and how he's doing at Ealing.

Since his move from Newcastle he has taken the Championship by storm.

1. How old were you when you started playing rugby?
I was 4 years old when I went for my first training session at Billingham.

2. What was your first rugby memory?
I remember training at Greenwood Road then going over to Synthonia football club afterwards for a hotdog and pick and mix.

3. Who was your role model and why
My role model was my Dad, I remember spending all Saturday at the club watching him play and kicking a ball about all day and then Sunday was a game or training followed by kicking a ball around for the rest of the day. If it wasn’t for my Dad making every commitment he has to my Rugby I wouldn’t have been able to get to the level I have.

4. How's life living in the big smoke?
Im really enjoying living in London, there’s so much going on all the time and its somewhere I’ve always wanted to live at some point.

5. What do you eat before a big match
I have turkey bolognese or bangers and mash the night before the game. Muesli in the morning and then either a pasta or late cooked breakfast before the match.

6. Describe your perfect weekend
Finish the team run on a Friday morning and head for a coffee and some breakfast with team mates, night in watching union or some Netflix with a feed, big win on Saturday followed by one or two beers and get out and do something in London on Sunday (doesn’t always happen).

7. What’s a typical day of a professional rugby player?
Wake up and shower at 6:45- get into the club for 7:15 where we get Breakfast then we have individual meetings with coaches if required- physical prep (stretching, rolling etc.)- backs meeting and backs units training-lunch at the club- team preview/review meeting before heading out for a team session- usually a kicking session to finish the day and back home by around 3/3:30.

8. Do you spend time with team mates?
We spend quite a bit of time together, coffee and cards on days off and socialising with a few beers when we get the chance.

9. What would you be doing if you didn’t play rugby?
I don’t have a clue! I did do a part time degree when I was at Newcastle so maybe that might help me!

10. How do you deal with nerves on game day?
I used to get really nervous before games and I always found that doing my homework on the opposition and my roles and focusing on my basics help me.

11. Is there anything else you do to help clear your head before a big game?
Sometimes I like to go for a short walk by myself. I tried playstation once but that went quite badly so I avoid that around matches.

12. How do you deal with losing a big match?
I hate the feeling after losing and not performing, it's sometimes better to try to switch off and forget but that’s not always easy.

13. Has losing made you a better player? If so, how?
Yeah it definitely has, I think it sometimes puts things into perspective. I’m sometimes really hard on myself after performing badly and think irrationally but you do learn from the experiences.

14. What’s been your career highlight?
My premiership debut on Boxing Day in 2015 away at Leicester.

15. How important do you feel goal setting is?
I think goal setting is definitely useful if used properly.

16. What motivates you to achieve your goals?
The ambition to be the best player I can be and to play to the best level I can. It’s quite easy to stay motivated when you’re in a very competitive environment.

17. What one tip would you give a young person looking to succeed?
Be relentless in working on basic skills and don’t let obstacles prevent you from achieving your dreams and goals.

18. What three traits do you need to become the best in your game?
Determination, confidence and being level-headed.

19. How do you mentally prepare for games?
I make sure I know what I need to know about opposition and my roles so that I feel comfortable going into games and I try my hardest to go out and enjoy myself.

20. What’s the next goal in your rugby career?
I’m loving getting plenty of game time at the moment so I’m focused on taking the opportunity to keep developing as a player on and off the pitch.

Keep up the good work Craig. We love following you at Ealing and watching you develop.

#OSIOS