20 Questions: Jebb Sinclair – London Irish flanker

Had an interesting summer?
It’s been busy. I played six games for Canada, helping us qualify for the World Cup against the USA, and now I’m looking forward to getting stuck in for London Irish.
Enjoy representing your country?
Love it. It’s a lot of fun and it gives me a chance to get back home to see friends and family, plus RWC 2015 is a big target for us now.
Feel Canadian rugby is improving?
For a nation that has so many logistical problems such as weather, size and players playing overseas, our programmes are getting stronger all the time.
Quite a few Canadian guys in Europe now?
Yes, but we need more in the RaboDirect, Premiership and Top 14, as opposed to the Championship and Pro D2. Only second tier clubs are sniffing.
Don’t suppose the EQP schemes are helping?
No, it’s making it harder for us to get game time. EQP works for England but it’s another hurdle the Canadian guys have to go through.
How did you get into rugby?
I started at 16. I’d broken my leg and was getting stir crazy after it mended, so one of my buddies got me down to the local club and it went from there.
Who did you play for?
I started off at Fredericton High School, New Brunswick, then played for Fredericton Loyalists, probably the biggest team east of Toronto.
And after that?
I had a six-month stint with Stewart’s Melville, in Edinburgh, before returning home to play for the Castaway Wanderers and The Rock, in St John’s.
How did you end up at Stewart’s Melville?
My coach at the Loyalists is the brother-in-law of Jim and Finlay Calder, so that’s how I came to be invited over to Scotland.
You’ve played in some far flung places?
Tell me about it. There were weeks when I’d play for The Rock, on the easternmost point of Canada, then fly across to play for Castaways, which is the westernmost point. I’ve racked up a few air miles!
Play any other sports at school?
I played a lot of ice hockey, lacrosse and gridiron. It was mostly hockey, though, and I was pretty decent.
How do you chill-out?
I’m a huge movie buff and try to watch everything I can. I like stuff like Braveheart, The Departed and A Knight’s Tale… films with a bit of history and action.
Hobbies or pastimes?
I enjoy video games like Call of Duty and Halo. Darren Allinson and I play most nights and I still play with Matt Garvey, even though he’s now at Bath.
Who do you lodge with?
Darren Allinson and Keiran Low. They’re great to live with because both are OCD cleaners and I get away with doing the bare minimum.
Who does the cooking?
No one. If we don’t go out to eat we stuff ourselves at the club. We generally eat at Nando’s, which is so quick and they never screw it up.
You must cook for yourself sometimes?
It’s basic stuff like chicken pasta, steak and veg, or salmon. It’s pretty hard to screw those things up and even I can manage that.
Pet hates and annoyances?
Crappy drivers… and there are lots of those in London! I come from a small town in Canada where there is no traffic, so it sends my stress levels through the roof.
Superstitions and rituals?
I used to have to brush my teeth before going out on the field. But I’m over that now and I alter my routines as much as possible to avoid that stuff.
Best and worst banter at Irish?
Declan Danaher’s is horrendous. He’s so angry and upset sometimes and he’s always whining and grinding his teeth. Best are Ian Humphreys and David Paice… very funny guys.
Hopes for Irish this season?
We’ve been written off, which suits us because we don’t mind being the underdog. We’ll hope to surprise a few people and have a crack at the top six.