20 Questions: Alan Paver – Cornish Pirates prop

Pirates back in pre-season training?
Yes… bizarre, isn’t it? We started last Tuesday and the thinking is they’ll give us intermittent breaks between now and August.
Manage any kind of holiday?
We had a lovely nine days on a quiet beach in Almeria, Spain. You could have kicked a ball in any direction and not hit anyone.
Tell us about your new coaching roles?
Player-coach at Pirates now and I’m helping out Redruth, too. My workload’s shot up a bit but for me to gain experience it’s terrific.
People say you dream about scrums?
It’s true. I’ll think about something that keeps me up all night, then dream about it and wake up in the morning and think it’s rubbish. Boys think I’m crazy.
Crazy about scrums?
It really fascinates me and the thing that gets me going is to see the younger lads becoming competent, getting stronger and developing.
Where did you first get into rugby?
Heysham High School, Morecambe. From there I joined Vale of Lune before moving to Plymouth then the Pirates. Stuart Lancaster was my PE teacher.
THE Stuart Lancaster… really?
Yes. I’ve got a picture of us playing cricket together. He later tried to sign me when he was at Leeds but I chose to stay in Cornwall.
Which prop idols do you most admire?
Jason Leonard was at the forefront when I was growing up and I liked Christian Califano, too. But the guy I admired more recently was Carlos Nieto.
Model your coaching on Nieto?
Yes. Him and Dan Cole. In teaching young props the core skills and set-up, those are the guys you follow. But Nieto’s the master.
Best career moments to date?
With Pirates it was winning the EDF Cup at Twickenham in 2007 and the B&I Cup in 2010 against Munster. But representing the Championship XV against the Maori was my stand-out. I’d love to play for the Baa Baas.
Regret you never played Premiership?
I did actually… once, on loan to Exeter against Saracens. And I faced Nieto! I had offers but always thought Pirates would make the top-flight.
Is that dream still alive?
I think so, but there are a lot of factors around the Stadium for Cornwall so we’ll just have to wait and see.
How do you chill-out?
With more rugby! Seriously, I try to get away but rugby is all-consuming. You go home and it doesn’t stop, especially now I’m coaching.
You’ve got some hobbies, though?
Yes, I enjoy salsa dancing. I’ve got a Cuban mate who nagged me to go and I really enjoy it. It’s less now but for a couple of years it was three times a week.
Enjoy films/books?
Love the cinema… best film seen recently was Oblivion. I like my sci-fi. Books-wise, the boys recently bought me one on back play. Fascinating!
If you could be another sportsman?
I followed Mike Tyson’s career when he was an absolute superstar. He wobbled after that but I’d love to have had some of his experiences.
Bit of a pugilist are you?
Yes, I used to box quite a bit and when we had Paul Andrew at the club we’d don the gloves and get it on inside our squash court.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Barrack Obama, who’s very charismatic with the weight of the world on his shoulders; Michael Jordan, because I used to play basketball and he was a giant in his sport who delivered; and… oh go on, Carlos Nieto.
Best and worst banter at Pirates?
Worst is Rob Elloway, our hooker, who comes out with very inappropriate stuff. Best is me, because the young boys have got no life experience and have nothing to say. It’s like kicking a puppy!
You’re 36… how long can you play on?
I’ve got another two years in me. I’m in the land of the giants now but, technically, size doesn’t matter and I’m still in good shape. Mentally, I feel fresh so no reason why I have to pack it in yet.