20 Questions: Charlie Sharples – Gloucester wing

Must be chuffed to have been offered a new deal by the club two months before the season even starts?
The club approached me a few weeks back and asked if I was keen to extend my contract which I was very happy to do.
Not the first time you’re in that situation?
No, I did the same before the last World Cup. Each time it was an easy decision.
No intention of leaving Kingsholm then?
That’s where my heart is so not at all. I want to be part of something I’ve helped build so I had no hesitation in putting pen to paper.
Must be a huge confidence boost?
I can solely focus on my rugby now and it’s a great position to be in. I’m aware of how lucky I am to have my future sorted so early.
Will you go out to repay the club’s faith in you?
I’m not the kind of player who rest on his laurels. It’s nice to have that long-term security but I’m very much looking to push on and keep on my toes.
Did the club know that?
They know the sort of bloke I am and I’m sure that helped in offering me that new contract so early. They wouldn’t have done it if they thought I’d take it easy now.
Looking to push on after your most consistent season in the Cherry and Whites shirt?
I managed to stay fit and I played a lot last season. I played in 30 games in total for over 2,000 minutes and it was great to be a big part of our season. I loved every minute of it.
Had a stint at full-back too, how was it?
I played there before but I got an extended run this time. It benefited my all- round game as a winger and gave me another string to my bow.
Not 26 yet but already 176 first team games?
Form and fitness permitting I’ll hit the 200 before the end of next season which would be an incredible achievement. I’ve worked hard to be in that position and I’ll continue to do so.
Less than 100 games away from James Simpson-Daniel and Pete Buxton’s all time record too?
There is a little way to go but it’d be nice to have my name next to those guys.
Do you remember your debut?
It was against London Irish in April 2008 on a rainy day at Kingsholm. I remember being called up from the bench and shaking like a leaf just before going on. I’ve come a long way since then.
What can we wish for you next season?
Just to keep improving as a player to help the team do better. It’s not nice to lose games but I think we’re heading in the right direction.
Still thinking about England?
That’d be the next phase for me but that’s far from my thoughts at the moment. I just want to play well for Gloucester and get things at the club going where we want them to go.
How’s pre-season going then?
It’s been good but very hard. It’s nice to have a lot more continuity compared to last season where everyone arrived at the club at different times. We have a lot more structure to our training.
Is that the only difference or did the length of pre-season impact on things?
The conditioning played a big part in the first few weeks. We have time to work on our rugby more now which will help us put all the building blocks in place.
Been working on your speed too?
Indeed. We’ve been doing a lot of speed work with former Team GB sprinter Marlon Devonish
Should we expect a better start to your season?
I don’t like saying we’re going to do this or achieve that and to be honest that’s something we haven’t addressed yet as a squad.
A direct qualification Champions Cup seems achievable though?
You’d think so. It’d be disappointing if we don’t finish in the Top 6 in the Premiership.
Moved on from that Champions Cup play-off?
On the final whistle it was a massive disappointment. It was a very long season full of ups and downs so it was nice for everyone to go away and thing about something else.
Winning the Challenge Cup can’t make for a bad season though?
Definitely! It was massive for us to win the Challenge Cup after all the changes at the club. But the Premiership was disappointing and we need to kick on this season.