20 Questions: Tom Catterick – Newcaslte fly-half

How’s pre-season going?
There hasn’t been much running in the first couple of weeks as we’ve focused on gym and speed work. But we’ve started the fitness now with a couple of sessions on the beach which was tough.
Dreading the length of pre-season?
It’s a weird one because we’ve never done it. I wouldn’t say I’m dreading it but it’ll be different. That means every team will be in great shape come the start of the season.
Is there a risk of burnout?
Everyone wants to get into things straight away and show what they can do so it’ll be a case of managing the body to avoid being shattered before the season even starts.
What’s the feeling about last season?
We made improvements and that’s pleasing but if you look back there was a lot of games we could’ve won and got a bit more out of. You can tell by the mood in the camp now that we expect a lot more this season.
Survival is a banned word then?
Definitely. It’s a nice to feel like we want to push on rather than look to avoid relegation. We want to climb up that table.
How big of an impact did the 3G pitch at Kingston Park have?
It helped massively to play the brand of rugby we want. The weather isn’t always great up North and it was just impossible to play rugby at times.
Has the Top Six been mentioned?
We haven’t sat down as a group yet but personally I think Top Six is the target. We lost so many close games last season and if we’d won even half of them we’d have finished a lot higher than 11th.
Would 2017 be more realistic for that Top Six finish?
We’ve had a fair bit of player movement this summer and it might take a while for us to gel. We’ll know where we stand after the first few games. I’d like to say this season will be the one but we’ll see.
Everyone is going to be gunning for it?
Definitely! After 16 weeks of pre-season everyone will be itching to get going. If you add the World Cup there’ll be a big buzz around the country.
Enjoyed your breakthrough season?
I started a lot more games at fly-half which is the position I feel I can really kick on in. I’ve still got a long way to go but I feel a lot more settled going into this pre-season.
Came through as a full-back but did you always know you were a fly-half?
I played fly-half for England U16s but then I went to school with Rory Clegg at Barnard Castle. I moved to 15 so we could both be on the pitch. Before last season Dave Walder said he wanted me to play No.10 so I switched back and I loved it.
How influential has Dave Walder been?
He’s been great to me but also to the team. He’s given me the confidence to go out there and enjoy myself and play the game I like to play. Even when I ran out of form at the end of last season.
What was it down to?
I was playing a lot and I was thinking about the game too much. I was playing thinking about tactics rather than using my instincts like I did at the start. It showed and Dave gave me a break to take the pressure off.
Came from Darlington?
I started there when I was four or five and played for them until I was 16. I went to Barnard Castle after that and it was too much to play for school and club at the same time so I concentrated on school.
When did you go full-time with the Falcons?
They signed me straight from school so it’s been a while now as I’m 24.
If not rugby what would you be doing?
I’d like to be a footballer but I’m not good enough so I’d say PE teacher.
Three special dinner guests?
A boxing evening with Muhammad Ali, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.
What annoys you most in life?
Drivers who don’t say thank you when you let them through.
Best and worst banter at Falcons?
Scott McLeod’s a funny dude but my ex-roommate Kieran Brookes is terrible.
Best and worst dressed?
Marcus Watson has a similar style to mine so I’d say he’s the best. Scott McLeod, however, comes up with some very random outfits.