20 Questions: Danny Care – Harlequins and England scrum-half

Enjoying pre-season at Quins?
Loving it! It’s great to be back around all the boys again. It is hard work but everyone is looking to build on the success of last season and everyone is prepared to put the work in for it.
Did winning the Premiership feel like the end of a long journey?
Yeah, in one way it did. But in many ways it is also the start of a journey. We deserved to win the Premiership and we played well all season. But we need to improve on that, so it also seems like a fresh start.
Did you enjoy touring South Africa with England?
It was great to be selected again after being out of the mix for a while. The tour itself was very good, I was glad I got my chance to play in the third Test, so the tour ended pretty well for me.
Who are the best and worst trainers at Quins?
Best trainer has to be captain Robbo (Chris Robshaw), he has such a huge work rate. The worst trainer would have to be Karl Dickson. He doesn’t like to do the extras, but he’s that good he doesn’t really need to!
Best and worst dressed Quins players?
Best dressed is probably Rory Clegg, he looks pretty smart in his chinos. The worst dressed without a shadow of a doubt has to be Nick Evans. His idea of fashionable is camouflage trousers with a turtleneck jumper.
Biggest jokers in the Quins camp?
Joe Marler – you’d have to be with that hairstyle – and Tom Williams. Tom is the type of guy that if there was a puddle on the ground, he’d push you in.
Tightest Quins player?
Nick Easter. He’s one of the richest so that’s probably the reason why!
Your favourite food and drink?
Being a proud Yorkshireman, I enjoy my Fish and Chips. And I’m quite partial to Irn-Bru.
Been anywhere nice on holiday?
I went to Las Vegas this summer, which is my favourite destination. Superb!
Cleverest player at Quins?
Mark Lambert likes to think he is the cleverest but I’d say Nick Easter is the smartest.
Any superstitions?
Not really, only that if I play well in one set of boots I’ll wear them again and if I don’t play so well in another I won’t wear them again.
Teenage sporting idols?
In football, Michael Owen and David Beckham. In rugby, it was Justin Marshall.
If you could have any international player in your team, who would it be?
I’d have to pick Jonah Lomu. I’d stand next to him for the whole game!
Person outside rugby you most admire?
My mum and dad.
If you could be another sportsman, who would it be?
David Beckham, because he is a legend.
Team-mate you’re a little bit afraid of?
Maurie Fa’asavalu. I got on his right side very quickly. I had a rugby league chat with him so I made sure he was my friend straight away!
Tell us something about Conor O’Shea people don’t know?
His nickname is Ceaser… because he wants to rule the world!
Who’s your most famous friend?
Ugo Monye. He’s a cool guy!
What do you love and hate about rugby?
I love being around the boys every day for the camaraderie, and the fact we won the Premiership together was very special. I’m not so keen on the pre-season grind, but there’s not long to go now.
Ambitions for the new season?
From a Quins perspective, we want to compete at the top of the Premiership and make sure we defend our title. We’d also like a good run in the Heineken Cup. Personally, it’s to have a good season. It is a big year with the Lions and I hope to be in the mix for that.