20 Questions: Olly Barkley – Bath and England fly-half

Been anywhere nice on holiday?
I went to Portugal with my girlfriend and then to LA and Las Vegas for 10 days with the lads. I needed another holiday when I came back from Vegas!
What’s Vegas like?
Best place in the world! You can do anything you want, at any time of day, and there are great restaurants and bars. It rips your bank account in two but it’s good fun and everybody should do it once.
How’s pre-season going?
We’re doing some long days but I’m quite enjoying it. It’s a lot more organised than last year and you can see the improvement day by day.
How’s the new coaching team bedding in?
They’re doing very well. They’re very focused, very thorough and very clear about what they want. To have so many coaches working in unison can only be good.
Best and worst trainers?
Guy Mercer’s a pretty mean trainer who likes to be big, strong and fit. Duncan Bell used to be the worst but he’s gone, so now it’s probably Nick Abendanon. He’d only been back from South Africa a day when he declared himself ill!
Cleverest Bath player?
Simon Taylor’s pretty academic. But believe it or not, David Wilson is very knowledgeable in a lot of ways. You wouldn’t think it for a prop, but he’s got a lot about him.
Worst dressed player?
It used to be the Aussies, but Stephen Donald has stolen that mantle now. He’s pretty scruffy.
Tightest player?
Lee Mears by a country mile. He’s a nice man but tight as a duck’s backside. He’s a genuine round dodger and he’ll only give us 20 per cent off at his coffee shop, Jika Jika!
How do you like to chill out?
If I’m not downloading music I’m mixing it on my decks at home. I’m pretty busy with my events company, Elektric3.com, as well. We’ve got a few three-day camps coming up and I’ll be pretty busy with that in between training.
Guilty pleasures?
Junk food! I like a curry, too. Going away on holiday and spending too much is probably my biggest vice, though.
David Flatman’s joined Bath’s commercial side …how will he get on?
He’ll be an asset. He’s always had the credentials for that style of job and I daresay he’ll do a bit more commentary on Sky.
Joker in the camp?
It used to be ‘Flats’ but Nathan Catt might step up. He and Mark Lilley, who’s now at Bristol, work in tandem and they still collaborate on a certain person’s Twitter account.
Teenage rugby idol?
Carlos Spencer, which was cool because I got to play with him. It was only for a short while but it was a dream come true.
What stood out about ‘King’ Carlos?
His game management wasn’t the best but in terms of skill and confidence, his willingness to try things is something young players can learn from.
Best moment in rugby?
My first starting cap for England against Wales in 2004. All my family were at Twickenham, I played pretty well and we won.
Have you given up on England now?
No! It’s always in the back of your mind. It’s taken me a while to get back to fitness after injury and my first port of call is playing well for Bath, but you never say No to England.
Any superstitions?
I’m always one of the last two out before a match and I walk out slowly.
What do you hate about rugby?
Not having bank holidays off! Christmas can be hard with not being able to spend time with your family. Our off-season isn’t long enough, either.
Love about rugby?
Getting paid to do something I would have done anyway. I’m paid to stay healthy and be with my friends every day.
Ambitions for Bath this season?
Top four. We need to be fighting for a final. We sold ourselves short last year but we can do it this season under Gary Gold.