20 Questions: James Shanahan – Plymouth Ablion head coach

Enjoying your first season in charge?
Lots of ups and downs but good fun. It’s a new team and a new attacking philosophy so it was going to be tough, but we’ve done all right.
Combined playing and coaching ok?
I’ve felt pretty comfortable. The main frustration has been all the tight defeats we’ve had, but hopefully we can turn those into tight victories from now on.
Home crowds haven’t been great?
Friday night rugby didn’t help, we had too many of those. But simple fact is that we’re playing an enjoyable brand of rugby, but have only won two home games.
Thinking of hanging up the boots?
I’ll stay fit and we’ll see. I’m about six games short of 500 over 20 years so I’d like to get there. But if I don’t, I don’t and I’ll look back with pride.
Where did you start out in rugby?
North Walsham. Played there aged 8 to 22 before joining Bedford, Exeter, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth, Cambridge, Old Albanians and back to Plymouth.
Fulfilling career then?
I tell my mates I’ve never had a proper job in my life! I don’t take it for granted, though, and rugby’s something I love and enjoy. I try to get that through to players.
Who inspired your attacking philosophy?
Sounds geeky, but the 1984 Australians. I was only seven and watching the Ellas, Lynaghs and Campeses do things no one else could.
Favourite players of all time?
David Campese. Everything he did was amazing and I’d try to copy it at school. Clips of David Duckham and Mike Gibson inspired me, too.
Best moments as a player?
Playing against the full Australian team for the National Leagues XV at Welford Road in 2001. They had Larkham, Latham, Gregan and Roff playing and we had a great evening together in the pubs and clubs of Leicester, crawling in about 6am!
And best moments coaching-wise?
Winning promotions with Cambridge and Old Albanians and taking Hertfordshire to a couple of County Championship finals, one of which we won.
How do you chill-out?
My wife will say I don’t! But I enjoy cinema and cooking, which I find therapeutic. I was in Italy for two years and spaghetti carbonara is my speciality.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Michael Jordan because I grew up in a basketball school and Chicago Bulls were my team; Kyle Minogue because she’s still very attractive; and Pirates prop Alan Paver so we can talk all night about scrums.
Anything about rugby you’d change?
The scrum! It’s there to restart the game, not stop it, but that’s all it seems to do at the moment.
Best places visited?
Loved Australia and did about ten weeks there for the Lions tour in 2001. Really enjoy America and Brazil.
Pet hates and annoyances?
People who are late; people who say they’ll do something but don’t; and negative people. I don’t see the point in being miserable. If you are, change your life.
If you could sign any three players, who?
I’d go English: Mike Brown, Billy Vunipola and Alex Goode. I know Goodey and I’d have him on the bench so he could cover for me!
Follow any other sports?
NBA and a bit of football now and again. I’m from Norwich and remember the glory days when they were in Europe.
What would progress for Plymouth be next season?
Top six would be great. But every team wants to improve and you’d expect Bedford and Nottingham to be better next year, so it could be even tougher.
Need to sort out home form, though?
That’s the target. I know what visiting Plymouth was like as player, it was a fortress. We need to get that back.
Budgets remain tight, though?
They do, and you risk some players getting picked off. But we’ll manage to put a squad together that is competitive for the money.