20 Questions: Rob Vickerman – Leeds centre

Enjoyed your first season back from 7s?
Really good. But it took twice as long as I thought it would to get back into the swing of 15s, with the physicality and the way the game’s played.
Two different games now?
Very much so, especially when you look at the size of guys in 15s. I can’t get my head round how big people have got in three or four years.
Why did you leave England 7s?
Largely due to family. I’ve got 22-month-old Jack and a 10-week old baby girl, Amy, so you don’t want to be away too much.
Was Ben Ryan right to employ 7s specialists?
Yes. It was a big call but the way forward at the time. But I think they’ll probably end up going back to having 15s players who can play 7s.
Should England 7s look at Rugby Leaguers?
Yes. There are remarkable players in League and the likes of Sam Burgess, Kallum Watkins, Tom Makinson and Sean O’Loughlin would transform 7s.
Where did you start in rugby?
My dad set up a mini rugby team at Hull RFC so a lot of my time was spent there. I learnt the community side of the game before joining Leeds’ academy.
Was Stuart Lancaster academy manager?
Yes. Around 2001 they set up the EPDC camps and Stuart was revolutionary at the time. Looking back to when I was 15, the appraisals were pretty rigorous.
Keep in touch with Stuart?
Yes. He was at our game last week and we had a chat afterwards. He hasn’t changed and it was great to get his feedback. Told him I was available for New Zealand and I’ve got a pretty good record there!
Always played centre?
No, I was a big lad aged 14 so they had me at No.8. Then I played No.7 but Lanny moved me out and I ended up as a 13.
Teenage rugby idols?
The All Black Josh Kronfeld transformed the way opensides played and I was lucky to meet him once. The Wallaby Phil Waugh was another I admired. League-wise, Kevin Iro was a legend.
Keep in touch with ex-Leeds boys?
I speak to Danny Care a bit and he’s probably the big-timer now. Rob Webber’s a good friend who I’ve played with and against since I was about six.
Best moments in rugby?
Walking round Twickenham in front of 80,000 last May with my little boy wearing his England 7s shirt… and beating NZ to win the 2009 Wellington 7s was epic.
How do you chill-out?
Aside from family, I spend time as an intern at AON and run my own camps – sevensrugbycamps.co.uk – which I want to kick on with.
Fancy being a referee?
It’s a good career but the pressure is ridiculous. I’m friends with Tim Wigglesworth and the things you hear about fans getting at him… it’s getting silly.
If you could be another sportsman?
Cricketer. If it rains you go inside, you play in the sun until you’re 45, spend six months in England and six months in India and get paid fortunes. Easy!
Best places visited?
I did 95,000 miles-a-year in 7s but always liked Wellington because everything was by the harbour. I’ll say Sorrento, too, because that’s where I got married.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
David Brent for the entertainment; Joe Rogan, the UFC commentator, for his diverse views; and Stephen Fry, the most intelligent man in the world.
Best and worst banter at Leeds?
Best is James Doherty… public schoolboy, grew up in a rugby club and has a third XV mentality towards singing and getting the guys on it. Worst is Jonah Holmes… complete weirdo!
Best and worst dressed?
James ‘The Brand’ Currie is up there in the fashion stakes but Oli Goss is the real Mr GQ. Worst is Phil Nilsen, it doesn’t matter what he wears because he refuses to shave his balding head and it ruins everything.
Anything unusual about Leeds boss James Lowes?
He claims his house is haunted and doesn’t sleep. He’s often in the club at 5am… bit of training, preps a few videos then lives on 35 cups of coffee.