20 Questions: Declan Cusack – Doncaster fly-half

How’d the week go after the derby loss to Yorkshire Carnegie?
We’ve had a long week training because we played on Friday. We were obviously disappointed but we did some god things and we’re excited to go again this week.
What went wrong?
We gave away too many penalties. That let the pressure off Carnegie when we were in their half. In those tight games it only takes one or two of those moments to turn the game around.
Looking to sort that out against the Pirates today then?
We have to look after the ball and make sure that when those big moments come during the game we’re ready to execute and come on top.
What do you know of them?
They’ve started off really well this season. They’ve lost the last couple of league games but we know they can play some good rugby. They’ve changed their coaches and their attack looks very good.
How important is that game given how tight the table is?
Very! It’s very close from third to eleventh and a couple of wins can put you in the top four. The league is so compact this season. We’ve got a good home record so hopefully that’ll carry on.
Why is the league so evenly fought?
The Championship changes every season with a lot of players’ movement. It makes it very exciting because you never really know what you’re going to face on the weekend.
Does it make it harder to analyse the opposition?
Teams usually have their structure but different players can change that. So you have to adapt on the go sometimes.
Was it tough to get going after reaching the final last season?
We’ve had to change a few things and it’s taken some time but we’ve improved week on week. Eventually we’ll have to put a good run of games together to make sure we’re in the play-offs again.
Are the expectations bigger on you now?
We know we have to be at a certain standard and we’ve done that at time. But it’s not only the fans expecting us to do well, the players want to do well and be in the play-offs again.
Can you challenge London Irish and Carnegie for promotion?
There’s a couple of big moments in the play-offs that can change the game whether it’s scoring or holding on for just a little longer in defence.
What do you have to improve to be challengers?
We have to put in a good run of games like we did last season. Winning five or six of the next eight games would be great to build momentum.
Second season at the club?
I came into a team that was pretty settled and knew exactly how they wanted to play. So it was very much a case of learning the calls. The other lads made it pretty easy for me and scrum-half Michael Heaney who joined at the same time.
Playing behind such a pack must have helped too?
The forwards were great and it’s a half-back’s dream to see them dominate the opposition. You can do what you want on the pitch because the other team is on the back foot.
What about that season in Spain with Gernika in 2012-13?
They’d just qualified for the Challenge Cup and I wasn’t really playing at Munster. So I thought I’d give it a go and had a great six months there before joining Plymouth Albion.
Who did you have in your European pool?
We had Worcester and Perpignan as well as Rovigo. We lost heavily twice to the Warriors and in Perpignan but we gave them a good game at home which ended 50-15. We beat Rovigo twice though.
If not rugby what would be doing?
I thought about going semi-professional and do some coaching when Munster let me go. But I moved to Spain after that so it didn’t happen.
Favourite cheat meal?
A Mighty Meaty pizza from Domino’s
Three special dinner guests?
LeBron James, Steven Gerrard and Kevin Hart.
Best and worst banter at Doncaster?
Alex Shaw is pretty good but Sam Edgerley has the worst
Best and worst dressed?
Robin Hislop can look well for a prop but the same can’t be said about Colin Quigley.