20 Questions: Richard Barrington – Saracens prop
Yes. It’s great to have been on the right side of a couple of tight results after last season’s Premiership final and I’m pleased to be getting a run.
Your cure for that bitter loss to Saints?
A good summer off. Went to Bermuda with the Saracens boys, then had a holiday with the missus in the Pyrenees before rounding things off with Rhys Gill’s stag-do in Tenerife.
Pinch yourself at how far you’ve come?
A little bit, especially with coming from the lower leagues with Hartpury, then Jersey for a year. It’s been a helluva rollercoaster ride from playing in the Siam Cup for Jersey against Guernsey to playing in the Heineken Cup and Premiership finals.
Where did you start in rugby?
Okehampton RFC. I’m a farmer’s son and the guy who ran the club used to go round all the farms and pick up the biggest, meanest boys.
Always been a prop?
No, I started as a No.6. It was Hartpury who turned me into a loosehead and playing against older props as we came through the leagues was a good learning curve.
Played any other sports?
I was a goalie as a kid, just because of my size. I fancy myself as a golfer now and play regularly with Jamie George, Jared Saunders and Jackson Wray.
How else do you chill-out?
By smashing the other boys at FIFA! Mako Vunipola fancies himself a bit, as do Tim Streather and Al Hargreaves, but I always get there in the end.
Lodge with Mako and Billy Vunipola, don’t you?
Yes. We go through a lot of food together… mostly chicken, chicken and more chicken! They’re good lads but I’m moving into my own place soon.
If not a rugby player, what would you be?
At Hartpury I got a degree in sports coaching so I’d probably go down that route and try and get a PE job in a school or college.
If you could be another sportsman?
Tiger Woods in his heyday or Rory McIlroy, for the golfing lifestyle. NFL’s Tom Brady, too.
Your dream night out is?
A night clubbing in Cardiff with some good mates. It’s one of my favourite places.
Some team you had at Hartpury?
Yes, we had Dan Norton, Jonny May, Alex Cuthbert, Henry Trinder, Dave Lewis, Tristan Roberts, Tom Savage and Andries Pretorius… pretty star-studded!
Still keep an eye on their results?
Always look in The Rugby Paper to see how Okehampton, Hartpury and Jersey got on.
See Premiership potential at Jersey?
Definitely, especially for a place with no tax! If they can find the money and build a stadium, they can become a force to be reckoned with.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
That the nicest car outside a bookies probably belongs to the bookie!
Pet hates or annoyances?
Drivers who stop to let people out when we’ve got the right of way, and players who post cringeing stuff on Twitter begging for free stash!
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Jack Whitehall, one of my favourite comedians; Keira Knightley for some class; and Freddie Flintoff, who would be good for a night out!
Best and worst banter at Sarries?
Best is Chris Ashton, who’s sharp. Worst is Jamie George, who just parrots other people’s stuff because he has no chat of his own.
Best and worst dressed?
Tim Streather and Schalk Brits are best. Tim loves himself a bit and is always in front of the mirror. Worst is Ben Ransom, who has no idea.
Dream of playing for England?
It would be nice and I’ll have a games room in my new place where I could hang the shirt up. But I’ve got to keep playing well for Saracens.
