"I forgot my game-day knickers against Sale and got injured"

The Quins and Wales flanker on superstitions, motorway skids and scaring Ffion Lewis

- Alan Pearey

WHAT’S THE funniest thing you’ve seen on the pitch? Keira Bevan’s hair sometimes falls out in a game. And there was a picture in the World Cup (2022) where she looked like Faf de Klerk! We compared the pictures and it was hilarious. She played a couple of phases where her hair was all over the place. What really annoys you? Lazy people. In rugby, you’ve got 15 players fighting for each other, so if one doesn’t pull their weight it really affects the team. If your house was on fire, what one item would you save? My mam’s earrings. What’s the best present you’ve ever received? A car that my parents gave to me. It was my first car and I crashed it. I aquaplaned on the motorway on my way back from Worcestershire. It was a Toyota Aygo, his name was Tommy.

Do you have any phobias? I’m afraid of spiders. When there’s a massive one on your bed and it’s staring at you… The best advice you’ve received? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Mike Hill (Wales’ forwards coach) told me, “You have the potential to be one of the best players in the world and I just want you to work hard.”

Because I hated the gym, the off-field stuff, I preferred to just rock up and play. I had to really work hard on myself to get to the next level. That was a light switch for me. What was your first job?