This evening I have managed to catch up with versatile front rower Edward ‘Edgy’ Graham. Newly engaged (congratualtions)Edgy is comfortable at either hooker or prop and is a very useful addition to any front row.

1.How old were you when you started playing rugby?
9

2. What was your first rugby memory?
One of my friends had a rugby birthday party when I was in year 5 to try recruit players and I fell in love with it then.

3. Who was your role model and why?
My role model when I first started to watch rugby was Tom Croft, his pace (one thing I’ve never had), athleticism and he was a beast. When I first started to get into rugby and being a part of the club watching first team matches my role model was AJ he could pick anything out in the line outs and some of the tackles he put in were monster.

4. Can you remember your first training session with Billingham?
I remember the first training session, we had to stand around 10 meters away from a tackle bag and run at it as hard as possible and put a hit on it. With it being my first time at rugby I turned up in a full boro football kit, which I didn’t wear the next time

5. What do you eat before a big match?
Usually just a bacon sarnie, I don’t usually eat much the morning of a match as it doesn’t work well with me (any other time it’s a different story) by the look of my physique I love a good scran

6. Describe your perfect weekend.
Finish work on a Friday have a chill night before the game day Saturday, wake up and take the dogs for a long walk on a Saturday morning get to the club for meet time and smash a big W. Sundays start with the future superstars the u9’s all playing well and getting a win and then go round my parents’ house for a gorgeous Sunday dinner!

7. What’s been your career highlight?
My career highlight was the unbeaten season that my team had in under 16’s, all the lads got on great and the parents had a good group going.

8. What one tip would you give a young person looking to succeed
Stick in with it, rugby helps not only with your rugby ability but also with your growth in life and the day in day out respect you have for people. Also when you turn 18 flares is alright.

9.What’s the next goal in your rugby career?
I would like to train a lot more this year, and get back to the fitness I had a few seasons ago! The lions have taken on harder games and we need to keep getting better so we can keep bringing back results.

Good luck this weekend Edgy

#OSIOS