Moore told me: The work starts now
The Rugby Paper|June 11, 2023
MY FIRST captain in senior rugby was Brian Moore, at Nottingham. I’d gone there having just played for England U19 Colts and he’d just come back from the 1989 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and I always remember his first words to me were, ‘congratulations on playing for England Colts but now you start at the bottom again, this is men’s rugby’
WAYNE KILFORD
Moore told me: The work starts now

He wasn’t being unkind, it was just his way of letting me know that the hard work started here, and if I ever needed a role model in that respect, it was him. You’d turn up for training and he’d always be out doing extras before and after sessions. Scotland lock Chris Gray took over as captain when Brian left for Harlequins so I was lucky to have two good captains during my time there.

There were a lot of people to look up to in those days at Nottingham. We had Gary Rees and Simon Hodgkinson with England, Gary Hartley was an England B international. One thing I learnt early on was that the pace of the game, both in speed and thought were very different to my junior rugby at Mansfield. Being around internationals and getting their take on the game was huge for my development.

When I started at Nottingham, Hodgy was a 10, that was his position. One of the reasons why he got picked for England was because his goal-kicking was exceptional but as Rob Andrew had the 10 jersey nailed down, England asked if he could get a run of games at full-back. I’d have played anywhere to be honest just as long as I was in the team and I was more than happy to fill in on the wing. Ireland Avenue was the best playing surface I have ever played on, as a runner and a kicker, so I always enjoyed playing there whatever number I had on my back.

Esta historia es de la edición June 11, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición June 11, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE RUGBY PAPERVer todo
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 03, 2024