Room 101: Jamie Lennard – Doncaster fly-half

1. Paralysis by analysis
It’s fair to say the video analysis suite is not my favourite place; not because I’ve got anything to hide, but more to do with the fact that so much time can be wasted labouring over the same old points – in a dark, hot room to boot. With the players who’ve been around a bit, and I count myself in that ‘older’ category now, you find yourself thinking, ‘oh, no here we go again’ when the coach starts talking about this and that tactic. To be fair, Clive Griffiths gets his point across short and sharp whereas we had some pretty bad sessions under Brett (Davey) last year. Nor does video analysis always bring the best out of people; it can be a selfish place where everyone tries to look after ‘No.1′. People will insist they were in the right place at the right time even though they’re not in-shot on the video.
TRP verdict:  Go fast-forward into Room 101.
2. Fines in the work place
Being a family man (I have two girls), I’m pretty tight with the pennies so it kills me when I get hit by a fine. I always seem to fall foul of some petty rule – normally relating to what I’m wearing or should be wearing. In my opinion gym kit rules should be much more relaxed, with only same-coloured jerseys and shorts required for the main rugby session. It also bugs me that you’re made to wear trousers, not shorts, for away trips.
TRP verdict:  Fines, ridiculous laws, drinking games…these things are all part of rugby tradition. You’re out.
3. Blaggers
People who talk themselves up and the great things that they’ve supposedly done really get to me. This trait has become even more apparent since I started coaching. Too many people have over-inflated views of where they’re at in the game, and sometimes you think to yourself, ‘how in hell did you ever get a job’. At Doncaster, a fellow back line member, naming no names, is a terrible blagger. His version of past heroic deeds on the rugby field need very close scrutiny. The player in question is notorious for embellishing the truth, with tales of how he ran the length of the field and side-stepped four defenders when, in reality, it was a walk-in try with only the tighthead prop to beat!
TRP verdict:  Let sleeping Dons lie. You’re out.