20 Questions: Ian Whitten – Exeter centre

Enjoy your open-top bus ride last week?
It was a great crack and a good crowd turned out. Everybody enjoyed it and it was another good day of celebrations for the club.
Mean a lot winning the LV= Cup?
Definitely. It’s not as big a priority as the league or Heineken but it was a big day for the club to take that step and win a major trophy.
You managed to miss the final. How?
Embarrassingly, I got injured celebrating at the end of the semi-final at Bath. I jumped up and down in front of our fans and did my calf!
Good decision to join Chiefs in 2012?
Really good. Jumped on the bandwagon, didn’t I? The building blocks are in place now so hopefully we can keep on improving.
Any regrets about leaving Ulster?
No. I could have stayed but wasn’t getting a chance in the big games any more. I decided on a new challenge and a new league.
Where did you start out?
The minis at Instonians RFC, in Belfast. It was my dad’s club and my brother, Alan, still props for them. After that I played for Queen’s University, which was really big for me, before Ulster picked me up.
Boyhood rugby hero?
Jonah Lomu. Everyone loved watching him and I managed to get his autograph when New Zealand held a training session at Instonians. Irish-wise, I’d have to say Brian O’Driscoll.
Good at any other sports?
I used to enjoy cricket more than rugby at times. It’s unusual in Ireland as we don’t get the weather, but I was a pretty useful bowler and played for Ireland U17s.
Capped twice by Ireland at rugby?
Yes, on the 2009 tour of North America. I’d like to play for Ireland again but realise they don’t tend to pick players from outside Ireland – unless you’re Jonny Sexton!
Best playing memories?
Beating Bath in that LV semi was pretty special. Playing at Twickenham against Harlequins was good, too. And any of those big inter-provincial matches against Munster or Leinster, or playing for the Chiefs against Clermont and Toulon.
How do you like to chill?
I’m pretty boring really but enjoy playing a bit of very bad golf with Hoani Tui and my flatmate Will Chudley.
Is Chudders easy to live with?
It’s a good crack. We share the chores but I’m a terrible cook. I can just about manage emptying a jar of Dolmio into a tub of pasta!
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
David Healy, the Northern Ireland football legend; Peter Kay for the comedy; and Barry McGuigan, who single-handedly united Northern Ireland.
Pet hates or annoyances?
Drivers who don’t thank you after you’ve let them out in front. And scrums, there’s far too much time being wasted.
Best places visited?
Malaysia and Cambodia were good and I enjoyed America and Canada on that tour. But Cuba was interesting, it’s like going back to a different century.
If not rugby, what would you do?
I have a degree in business and accounting so probably something along those lines. Sounds boring but you have to make a living somehow.
Rituals or superstitions?
I have an old lucky T-shirt that I wear for every game. I’m also very routined… shorts and shirts on first, then boots before jersey.
Best and worst dressed at Chiefs?
Will Chudley tries hard and is always shopping in Zara. I thought that was a women’s place but never mind! Worst is Brett Sturgess, tries hard but no idea.
Best and worst banter?
Worst is Ben White, who just goes round trying to annoy people. Best is my fellow countryman, Gareth Steenson, who’s a chirpy Northern Irishman.
Future rugby ambitions?
To win more trophies with the Chiefs. Can we win a big one? Don’t see why not. We’re learning all the time and will start next season with a lot of ambition. First, though, we’ll be looking to end this season with some good wins.