20 Questions: Jamie Elliott – Northampton wing
We’ve been back in for four weeks now and it’s been pretty full on. Luckily the coaches have mixed the fitness with games to make it more fun. There hasn’t been much aimless running. But we’ve got a week off now so we’ll be able to recharge the batteries a bit.
Are you counting down the days before the season starts?
It’s a long pre-season and we’ve got to make sure we don’t go too hard too quickly to be fit rather than burnt when it all kicks off.
Seems like it’s going to be a brutal start to the Premiership season?
Probably. Everyone would have been chomping at the bit for weeks looking for that first game to finally arrive. We’re travelling to Sixways to take on Worcester on the opening day and we’re expecting a tough game even if right now it feels quite a long way away.
What can we wish Saints in 2015-16?
We want to compete on all fronts again but hopefully we’ll be able to push on and win a trophy.
How do you look back at last season?
We reached the Champions Cup quarter-finals and the Premiership semi-finals but it’s always disappointing to lose those games. We learnt from it and, if anything, it made us hungrier.
Was it always going to be hard to match 2014?
It’s hard to follow a title-winning season as everyone wants to beat the champions. Playing against Northampton was almost like a Cup final for a lot of the teams. There is no easy games in the Premiership but even more so for us last year.
Did you feel that extra pressure?
You’ve got to thrive off it and push even harder. It can’t be a bad thing and drag you down.
What about you own season?
I was pretty pleased with it despite not winning a title. I played 28 games starting 24 of them so I’m looking to push even more next season to keep my spot in the team.
92 games for Saints at the age of 22 is a pretty good achievement?
I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved at the club so far but I hope there is a lot more to come from me.
That means reaching the big 100 before the end of the year?
It’d be a great Christmas present and an incredible milestone. It’ll be my sixth season at the club and I’m looking forward to it.
When did you join Saints?
Straight from Bedford school when I was 18. I joined the academy and ended up making my debut pretty quickly.
Do you remember that first game?
It was against Saracens in the LV=Cup in November 2010. It was a great experience despite being shocked by the pace of the game.
Made a quick impact in the Premiership too?
From that Saracens game I was picked to play at Sale two weeks later. That was my first start and I managed to score a try.
Disappointed to miss out on the 2012 JWC with England U20s?
I played in the Six Nations but I picked up an injury late in the season. I didn’t get to go to South Africa but it gave me more time to get ready for the Premiership season. Maybe it put me in a better position to break into the team.
Excited about the upcoming World Cup?
We saw at London 2012 what home support can do so I don’t see why England can’t go all the way. Hopefully I can go to watch a few games and cheer on the Northampton boys.
Even George North?
I’ll support him up to a point. One try will be okay but not more especially against England. It’ll be good to see him play again.
How do you chill out?
I live with three of the boys, Ethan Waller, Paul Hill and Teimana Harrison, so there’s always a Fifa tournament going on in our house.
What annoys you the most is life?
I’m pretty chilled out and I tend to go with the flow. Bad manners is quite irritating though.
Best and worst banter at Saints?
Ethan is quite quick off the mark and Stephen Myler is pretty sharp too. I laugh at anything so no one is that bad that I won’t laugh.
Best and worst dressed?
James Wilson always looks pretty good but I can’t say who the worst dressed is. Everyone has got their own fashion.
