20 Questions: Jacob Rowan – Leeds flanker

Enjoying the campaign?
Really happy we’re doing well. We’ve been showing good form that’s got us into the top four and long may that continue.
Can you seal promotion?
It’ll be tough with sides like Bristol, London Welsh and Rotherham around, but as long as we make the playoffs we feel we have a chance.
Boss James Lowes doing well?
He’s a humble bloke who’s straight down the line and knows what he wants. He did a lot of good work on defence in Rugby League which he’s brought to us and it’s paid dividends.
Yorkshire Carnegie… will it work?
I think it’s great. Ian McGeechan and the backroom staff have done a lot of work getting the community aspect going and it will be a step in the right direction. It should run well.
Proud to be Leeds’ youngest skipper?
It’s a great privilege. I’ve been here since I was 14 so to come through the academy and then lead the side has been fantastic.
Stuart Lancaster played a part?
I did a lot of work with Stuart in the academy and then he signed me for the first team before he moved on to England Saxons. He was a great asset to Leeds and is doing brilliantly with England, which is great to see.
Got as far as England U20s, didn’t you?
I played at the JWC in Argentina back in 2010 and it was a good experience. Since then I’ve always been under contract at Leeds and never thought of moving. I’m happy here.
If not rugby, what would you have done?
I’ve got a chemistry degree and I might have looked to use that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind coaching or another sport-related job.
Rugby idols growing up?
Always used to admire Martin Johnson’s leadership abilities while George Smith and Richie McCaw are fantastic players to analyse and learn off.
How do you chill-out?
A bit of golf now and again. I also enjoy reading and playing the guitar. I had guitar lessons at school and kept it going at Uni, so I like to keep my hand in.
What books do you like?
I’m currently reading Inferno by Dan Brown. I try to mix fiction and non-fiction and I recently read Will It Make The Boat Go Faster, which is about the GB Rowing team at the Sydney Olympics. Really good.
Enjoy films?
Yes. Enjoyed The Wolf of Wall Street and I’d also recommend a French film called Untouchable.
Best places visited?
Went to Thailand last year and some of the beaches were incredible. Australia‘s great and I’d love to go back there.
Enjoy cooking?
I live with Scott Freer and another friend so we mix up the cooking. I do a mean spaghetti Bolognese and my signature dish would be chicken and leek pie.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Peter Kay for the comedy; Denzel Washington because I love his films; and Rihanna… purely because of her singing you understand!
Pet hates and annoyances?
Rude people. Good manners don’t cost anything, do they? And people who walk really slowly in front of you.
Anything you’d change in rugby?
I’d like to see better consistency of refereeing in the way laws are interpreted, especially the breakdown.
Most irritating player?
Lee Imiolek, our prop, who’s always doing things in the changing room to annoy us. He’s a funny man really and a great dancer, but he gets baby talc everywhere which winds us up!
Best and worst dressed?
Worst is Nathan Hannay. He’s loves walking his dog so always turns up in wellies. Best is Oli Goss, who makes his own clothes and always looks the business.
Ambition for Leeds?
To get promoted this season and make it stick. With the Yorkshire Carnegie project, if we can establish ourselves in the Premiership I’m sure we’ll get a fan-base.