This evening I have met up with not only a close friend but one of the originals who helped get Billingham into the Nationals: Craig Shepherd. A full back come winger he can always be seen with a cheeky smile on his face more so when Craig and his brother Paul were running rings around their opposite number. Nowadays he is working offshore but still turns out for the Lions when he is home.

How old were you when you started playing rugby?
1- i think i was around 8 years old.

What was your first rugby memory?
2- always remember hotdogs and red sauce after matches. Thats a good rugby youth memory.

Who was your role model and why?
3- i never really had a role model, i just enjoyed playing and the social part of playing. If I was to pick one it would have to be my twin Paul. We used to love laughing at the opposition especially when we were running in the tries.

Can you remember your first training session with Billingham?
4- yes it was cold and i cried because i couldnt feel my hands and feet.

What do you eat before a big match?
5- a good old fry up, and that would be it for the day untill i wake up sunday morning.

Describe your perfect weekend.
6- my perfect weekend used to be the wesley on a friday night which is now shut down (to the dismay of the coaches) , play rugby on saturday and party all night then wake up and have a sunday dinner ready for a super sunday, now i prefer a wine and cheese night friday saturday and sunday.

What’s been your career highlight?
7- my career high light would have to be when we played stockton in one of the last games of the season and we had to win to gain promotion and i scored the winning try in the last few minutes.

What one tip would you give a young person looking to succeed?
8- dont eat parmos and drink lots of red wine.

What’s the next goal in your rugby career?
9- to carry on and enjoy my rugby like i have done at billingham for most of my life #bleedgreen

Thank you for your dedication

#OSIOS