Room 101: Richie Rees – NG Dragons scrum-half

1. Public displays of affection
I tend to think that the best relationships are the ones not talked about/flaunted in public. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon I’m sure we’ll see plenty of couples walking hand-in-hand or snogging in the street. Call me unromantic but is it really necessary? Elliot Dee, our young hooker, brings his Mrs to training and he talks non-stop about her, while Jason Tovey is the most ‘loved-up’ bloke you could ever wish to meet.
TRP verdict: Don’t get so touchy, it’s going in Room 101.
2. Stats in the game
Statistics have a time and a place in rugby but I think it’s gone too far when coaches use them as the main reference point in the Monday morning debrief. Players, young ones especially, get obsessed with things like how many tackles they’ve made or missed, which, I believe, creates a culture of fear – the fear of making a mistake if attempting to try something new in a game. What stats cannot tell you are the ‘immeasurables’, such as creating space for others with your work off the ball.
TRP verdict: Your number’s up on this one.
3. Teetotalers
I’m not advocating binge drinking or anything like that but, in my opinion, a few beers with your team-mates still has a valuable role to play in the game. Social nights out are an essential part of building team culture, Saracens are past masters at it. You really get to know one another when you’ve shared a few beers or vodkas, which is the tipple of choice at Rodney Parade. Don’t let our new director of performance hear me say that!
TRP verdict: We raise a glass to your old-school ways.