20 Questions: Tom Savage – Gloucester lock

Back in pre-season yet?
We had some physical and medical tests last week but the fitness and weights started this week so we’re very much under way.
How long did you have off?
We had five weeks. I had a couple of weeks where I completely cut off from rugby before I started training again to make sure I hit the standards that were set for us when I got back.
Can you really cut off?
Yes. I went to Croatia with my girlfriend and I finished with some of the lads with a “quiet” weekend in Marbella for Jonny May‘s stag do. It was a bit of a training camp to be honest!
Heard you have a new strength and conditioning coach, is that right?
Yes, Dan Tobin came across from Leinster. We weren’t sure what to expect in terms of tests from him and there were a nervous few days before we got back but it’s gone well.
Anything you’d never done before?
There was a one kilometre test where we had to run ten shuttles of length of a rugby pitch with a target time according to your position. Most of the boys came back in pretty good shape but I’ve got to give credit to Billy Twelvetrees and Willi Heinz who stormed it.
How do you cope with the training load in pre-season?
You’ve got to be as smart as possible with your recovery and your diet. We’re doing short and sharp sessions where we try to fit as many things as possible in the early part of the day to give us enough time to recover.
How’s the body feeling?
Very good. A full season is taking its toll and you want it to end but you miss it soon enough and you want to be back with the lads as quickly as you can to prepare the next season.
How long before your first game?
The Premiership will kick off on the first weekend of September and we’ve got a couple of friendlies against Leinster and Glasgow. It’ll all be building towards then but we’re only focusing on our fitness block for now.
Have you talked about rugby yet?
It’s too early for the rugby chat I think. We’ve kicked things off with the S&C programme and we’ll talk about our goals once it’s done.
Is that better in a way?
The way you want to play is dictated by the way you train and how fit you are. We want to improve and we’re doing everything we can do it.
Areas Gloucester must improve in?
We need to find those five per cents in all areas to turn narrow defeats into wins. Our defence was better last season now we need to do the same with our attack to make some strides forward.
What cost you most last season?
There are no easy games in the Premiership and we need to make sure we’re on top of things every week. We couldn’t close out games at times and it took our momentum away.
What about your own season?
I was really happy to get so much game time given the quality of the competition in the second row. I know I need to be at my best week-in week-out if I want to play and that’s what drives me.
What’s next for you?
I just want to keep going with Gloucester and put my hand up for international honours. There are guys in the England set-up doing really well at the moment but if I can step up with Gloucester maybe I’ll get a shot.
Do you know where you stand in the pecking order?
I’ve got no idea. I haven’t had any contact with the England coaches. But you’ve just got to keep plugging away and hope that’s enough to get an opportunity.
If not rugby, what would you be doing?
I’m a bit big now but I’d probably have gone down the cycling route or something outdoors anyway.
Favourite cheat meal?
I treat myself once a week usually. Fish and chips and curry go down well. I’m quite into my barbecue right now, too.
Three special guests for a barbecue?
Gordon Ramsay could do the cooking. Kevin Hart and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson would do the entertaining.
Best and worst banter at Gloucester?
Mark Atkinson is good at getting people laughing unlike Paul Doran-Jones.
Best and worst dressed?
Jonny May has the most disgusting wardrobe I’ve ever seen but Billy Meakes takes pride in his clothes which makes up for his awful hair.