20 Questions: Nick Fenton-Wells – Bedford captain

Enjoying the week off?
It’s nice to have the weekend without a game to keep the mind fresh. But we’ve still been training to keep everybody switched on.
How do you look back at the defeat against Jersey?
It was a frustrating game and one we probably could have won. But we weren’t good enough making too many errors. Jersey did everything better and came on top.
What a season so far from the Blues though…
We were on a seven-game winning streak before last week. It’s been a good season and the moral has been high. Credit to everyone for working so hard.
What’s been your secret?
We’re making far less errors because we’re used to playing together. We’ve just been working harder in training. It was obvious from the start of pre-season that everyone put in a lot effort.
Kicked the season off with a win at Bristol?
Everybody raises their game against them because they’re a great team. Being the first game we might have also taken them by surprise.
Most pleasing thing so far?
The attitude in the squad! Everyone tries his best for one another rather than for themselves. It’s a lot easier to play as a team.
Areas to improve?
We take each game individually and prepare for that game with a specific plan. That’s how we’ve operated all season and it won’t change.
Focussed on your trip to Rotherham then?
They’ve been struggling a little bit but they’ve got a new coach so there’s no doubt they’ll be very physical at Clifton Lane. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready for it.
Six games left and 11 points clear of Jersey in fifth, can you hold on to your semi-finals spot?
We’re not looking that far ahead. Having high goals is good because it gives you something to strive for but you can also be disappointed if you don’t meet them. So we’re focussing on each game rather than where we want to finish at the end of the season.
Did you expect to do so well this season?
You always believe you can win games but you can never tell. Everything just ramped up in pre-season and everybody decided to train that much harder and get better.
Enjoying captaining the side?
It’s always an honour. It was nice of Mike Rayer to ask me to take over last season and it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
Did it change you?
With that responsibility you’ve got to perform and it’s taking my mind of captaining because I just concentrate on playing as well as I can. We’ve got a great group of leaders too so it’s not just me calling the shots.
How long have you been at the Blues?
I first came on loan from Saracens in March 2013 and finished the season there. I stayed the whole of the 2014 season on loan and moved permanently at the start of last season.
How do you look back at your time at Sarries?
It was great. I got to work with the best there and it opened my eyes about what it took to be a professional rugby player.
What did you take from there?
I made great friends at the club but I also learnt more about myself than I’d had done in my entire life before. I became a better player but also a better person.
Who’s going to tell Paul Tupai to retire?
What a legend! He’s such a physical specimen and I don’t know how he does it week-in week-out at 41. Never seems to get injured. It’ll be a sad day when he decides to hang up his boots.
Thinking about life after rugby?
I’m studying my Master in Business and Administration so I’ll probably go into business once I retire.
Three dinner guests?
Warren Buffett who’s one of the best businessman of our era, Bear Grills to hear his stories and Robert MacDonald who’s a personal trainer in the USA.
Best and worst banter at the Blues?
Phil Boulton is definitely the worst but Charlie Clare is up there.
Best and worst dressed?
Dean Adamson is the best and I know a lot of people would put my name as the worst but I won’t nominate myself. Let’s just say Charlie’s banter takes the focus away from his dress sense.