20 Questions: Ian Davies – Cornish Pirates head coach

Opinion of Pirates’ season?
Probably where we thought we would be: new group of players, sprinkling of old legs and a new coaching team, so it’s been one step forward, one back.
Frustrated the club has stalled a bit?
To a degree. We’re hamstrung without the new stadium and until that gets built we’re never going to get promoted. In the meantime, we’re producing players for the Premiership.
Proud of the guys you’ve produced?
Massively. You watch guys like Dave Ward, Matt Hopper, Rob Cook, Carl Rimmer, Sam Betty and Blair Cowan and there’s a real sense of achievement.
Where did you start out in rugby?
I played for Llanelli Schools and a local side called New Dock Stars. I was a back row originally but got shoved into the front row, got injured at 19 and had to give up.
Your teenage rugby idols?
Jonathan Davies was a magician for Llanelli and I also liked Mark Perego, who was off the wall. Emyr Lewis and Scott Quinell are up there too.
How did you get into coaching?
My plan was to join the police but a guy called Gren Cole, the coach of Llanelli & District, got me involved and it went from there. I also did a referees’ course with a certain Nigel Owens but didn’t pursue that.
Ended up at Worthing didn’t you?
Yes. I became director of sport at Chichester Uni and coached Worthing, Havant and Haywards Heath before going back to Worthing, where we were promoted to the National Leagues in 2008.
How did the Pirates job come about?
I applied for the forwards job. I’d completed my Level 4 and wanted to know if I could do it at the higher level. I was always confident I could.
Best moments in coaching to date?
Winning the B&I Cup with Pirates was fantastic and getting to two Championship finals was great. I also took huge pride in coaching the Baa Baas and the Championship XV.
Fancy a crack at the top-flight?
It would be lovely if more Premiership sides would take a look. We produce a lot of top-flight players in Penzance so must be doing something right.
Which top coaches do you admire?
Gareth Jenkins helped me a lot when I first started but guys I look up to and respect now are Toby Booth, Sean Holley and Stuart Lancaster.
How do you chill-out?
Chill-out? That would be nice! I’ve got two young boys, three and eight months, so any time away from rugby is spent with the family.
Can you cook?
I’d say I can, though others might disagree, and my speciality would be steak on pak-choi with a soy chilli sauce.
If you could invite three special dinner guests?
Peter Kay, because he’s tremendous; Anthony Hopkins, an iconic actor; and my granddad on my mother’s side, Les Edwards, because sadly he died before I was born.
Best players you’ve coached?
Dave Ward would be up there and he certainly kept you on your toes. And I took a lot of satisfaction from the way Dave Ewers developed on loan at Pirates.
If you could sign three of the world’s best?
Dan Carter, just for his playing ability; Victor Matfield for his lineout ability and sheer class; and Julian Salvi, who’s a class act at No.7.
Best and worst banter at Pirates?
Worst is Tom Channon, absolutely rubbish. Best is Tom Riley, who’s Welsh and has a good bit of Valleys wit about him.
Best and worst dressed?
Craig Holland takes a lot of pride in his appearance, although he takes 45 minutes post-match doing his hair! Worst is Kieran Goss, who’s South African and understands nothing about fashion.
What would you change in rugby?
Bring back proper rucking. Until you get a good shoeing people are just going to kill the ball and dive over the top. The maul needs looking at too.
Career ambitions?
To be involved at the highest level. I think I can do a job at Premiership level, but until you get that opportunity you don’t know. You need someone forward thinking enough to give you that chance.