20 Questions: Christian Day – Northampton lock
They’re in very good form so it’ll be a big challenge for us to travel to the Ricoh and get a win.
Yet another important game for Saints?
We’ve got four weeks with massive games for us. It started against Quins. Today is game number two and we have Saracens and Leicester after that.
How’s your throat doing?
I’m fine now but I had a severe infection last weekend. I thought I’d be fine to play but I ended up in hospital on Sunday and Monday. I feel a lot better now though.
What’s the mood going into today’s game?
Very excited! We have a very settled team and we feel like we’re in pretty good form too so hopefully it’ll go well.
What do you have to do to beat Wasps?
They’re the in-form team in the country right now and we know that if you drop too many balls they’ll hurt you. They have some exciting player so we’ll have to play a good game.
A clash between the best attack against the best defence too?
They’ve got to many good players to hope we can just sit back and defend. We can’t get into our shell even if we’re pretty proud of our defence we’ll have a go at them.
Looking for revenge after losing at home to them?
The weather was horrific that day and we played poorly in the first half. We came back but it wasn’t enough.
Looking for a fast start?
They’re really good at that so we’ll have to better than last time and not let them into the game early on.
Do you look at the table?
Not really. There are at least five teams in the fight for the semi-finals and the Premiership is so close. We’ll focus on ourselves and hopefully pick up the wins we need.
What about Saracens in the Champions Cup next week?
We’ve got a good record at their place recently but they’ll have their internationals back and if their very good performance against Exeter last week is anything to go by it’ll be a tough game.
Do you know whether you are playing Premiership or Champions Cup in such a packed season?
It’s been very difficult on the back of the World Cup with one game after the other. The two competitions mix up a bit but it’s exciting to be in the battle for trophies. It’s the time of the year where you either win something or you go home empty handed. Fingers crossed we can win a trophy.
Seems to be a rivalry growing between you and Sarries?
It’s always going to happen if you keep playing a team in big games like we have. We beat them in the final two years ago and they beat us in the semi-finals last year. Next week will be another big one.
It is as big as the East Midlands derby?
Not quite. The derby comes with a different set of circumstance where both clubs are very important in their respective towns and there is also a rivalry between the two counties. We’re looking forward to it in two weeks.
Anything you must improve if you want to win a trophy?
You want to stay in a winning roll but we’ve got to remain confident even if we lose one or two games. If we play to our potential we’re a match for anyone.
21 games for you already?
Up until a few weeks ago where I had a concussion I hadn’t missed a game. It’s been a long old season so I’ll be due a nice rest in the summer.
Still enjoying your role at the RPA?
It’s great to see how the players are getting more involved in how rugby is being run in England. They need to realise they have a say and they need to open their mouth when things aren’t right.
Is concussion top of your list?
It’s obviously an important topic and a huge amount of education has gone into the players for the past couple of years. But there are a lot of other things we need to look at.
Three dinner guests?
Heston Blumenthal, Dwayne Johnson and Noel Gallagher
Best and worst banter at Saints?
Reece Marshall could be a stand up comedian but old guys like me tend to run out of banter and the young lads take the mickey out of them.
Best and worst dressed?
Luther Burrell and James Wilson dress sharp, even if I don’t think they do, but Gareth Denman has to stop wearing his club kit in town!
