20 Questions: Ben Ward – Ealing Trailfinders Director of Rugby

What was the club’s reaction to Sam Stanley coming out?
It was a big thing for him and it’s probably a big weight of his shoulders but to be honest it looks a lot bigger for the outside world. For us Staners is Staners even if he’s become a bit of a movie star this week.
Did you already know?
He joined earlier in the summer and he told the boys pretty quickly on a night out. He’s received a lot of support and it’s great to see him happy.
How did pre-season go?
Long as usual but our new players have settled in nicely. We’re in a better place than we were two years ago and hopefully we’ll be able to stay up this time.
What’s different?
We’ve done the yo-yo for the past three seasons winning the National League One twice and getting relegated from the Championship inbetween. That meant a lot of change in personnel and I really hope we can stay up to be able to keep the same squad ahead of next season.
Worried the gap between NL1 and Championship increased since 2014?
We know what to expect a bit more but we found NL1 was a lot tougher last season than two years prior so I’ve no doubt the Championship would have gone better too.
Kicking things off with a trip to Rotherham today?
We have a nice and easy start to the season with the Titans today and London Scottish and Yorkishire Carnegie the following two weeks. We’ll definitely know where we stand after that.
Only 15 league points will do then?
I’d be happy with that! We have a lot of respect for Rotherham for what they’ve achieved with the resources they have.
Did you look much into your defeat in Coventry last week?
I was more disappointed about our performance against Hartpury College the week before. We created a lot of opportunities against Coventry but our finishing touch wasn’t there.
Should we expect the famous Trailfinders attacking rugby this season?
As much as it pains me to say I have to tell my players to kick the ball rather than attack sometimes. We have to find the right balance between attack and moving the opposition around. In NL1 you can afford to make mistakes and still win the game while, in the Championship, turnovers are often punished by points on the board.
Looks like you have a bigger pack this time around?
That’s what cost us two years ago. We could chuck the ball around in good weather conditions but when it turned nasty we didn’t have the pack to be pragmatic.
Anyone impressed you this summer in training?
Phil Chesters and Luke Daniels will be exciting to watch at this level. Alex Walker is one of the best scrum-half in the league. Danny Barnes, Jamie Stephenson, Rhys Crane, Chris York and Rhys Lawrence looked good too. It’s quite hard to pick a side.
Are we going to see you playing?
I broke and dislocated my ankle and broke my leg towards the end of last season and I’m still recovering from it. You never say never but we’re lucky that we have two good fly-halves in Tristan Roberts and Alex Davies. Maybe my time’s past.
Will it be a tough decision to hang up the boots?
I’ve been at the club over a decade starting when the club was in London 2. But it’s not like I’ll be leaving for good I’ll still be involved in a non-playing capacity.
Dream coaching job?
I’m ambitious and coaching at the highest level would be the pinnacle but I’m loving my time at Ealing.
What do you enjoy the most?
The day-to-day interaction with the players and coaching the youngsters coming through. I like the pressure of the result too.
If not coaching, what would you be doing?
My family has a glass-blowing business and I worked there for three or four years when I was playing part-time.
What annoys you the most in life?
Slow drivers.
Favourite cheat meal?
I doesn’t matter too much now but I like a Nando’s
Best and worst banter at the club?
Paddy Gill our skills coach or flanker Arthur Ellis are the worst but best would be one of the backs.
Best and worst dressed?
Arthur is the worst based on his input when choosing our kit. Selfie-loving James Love would be best even if we have banned him from taking his phone in the gym.