20 Questions: Tom Calladine – Rotherham flanker

How’s your week been?
Pretty hard to be honest after two big defeats to Yorskhire Carnegie and Bedford last week. But you’ve got to look forward and we’ve got a tough game at Cornish Pirates to focus on.
Not the easiest place to go looking to build confidence? 
No, especially after their good win in Leeds last week. But it’s there for the taking and we’ll go into the game confident we can get the result we want.
What’s been going wrong in recent weeks?
It’s hard to put a finger on it but I think the defence has been the thing that has let us down the most. There were far too many missed tackles against Carnegie which allowed the opposition to break through.
Did you do anything good in that game?
We had spells where for five or ten minutes we’re at our best but then we fall apart. You can’t allow teams to have so much ball in this league. They’re always going to make you pay.
What’s been head coach Justin Burnell’s message?
All the players spoke to each other and we addressed the issues so before he even started talking in the team meeting we knew where we stood.
So you’ve been putting that right this week?
We’ve done a bit more tackling practice this week. We took lumps out of each other on Monday and Tuesday but it’s put us in a better place to go to Penzance.
Do you think the players are ready to take responsibility?
Very much so! The coaches do what they can during the week but then it’s down to the 15 blokes on the pitch to get the job done. The thing is that we go into games confident and start well, but it all falls apart after ten minutes.
What will you be looking for against Pirates?
Our focus will be on performance rather than the outcome of the game itself. We have to put in a good performance after the poor showings we’ve had in recent weeks.
You beat them at Clifton Lane earlier this season?
Yes, and we have beaten some other pretty good teams at home but we seem to struggle against teams who sit mid-table. It’d be nice to get the double over them.
Do you look at the table?
You try not to but it’s thrown in your face every time you walk into the clubhouse or talk to a fan. We weren’t look- ing to scrape by this season but the reality is we’re tenth.
What about your own season?
I suffered a bad injury to my thumb in pre-season so I had to have 12 weeks out. But I came back from it and I managed to get a good run of games in the back row. I’m really happy to be playing.
Do you have a big voice in the dressing room?
I’ve always been pretty honest and I never think or say anything I wouldn’t speak to somebody about. I’m quite opinionated and I think some truth is needed at times – especially after our recent run of defeats.
Your post-match reaction last week must have hurt some players?
I thought we were an amateur team at times, that’s why I said what I said. We can’t call ourselves professionals and not tackle or perform at the best of our abilities. If we do that against Pirates I’ll say it again.
What’s next for you?
I just love playing rugby and it’ll stay like that regardless of the level I’m playing at. I’m really enjoying my time here. Rotherham is a proper rugby club but of course I’d like to have a shot at the Premiership.
Ever had the opportunity to play Premiership?
I had a couple of meetings with Gloucester when I was at Nottingham but it didn’t materialise. I played a few pre-season games against Premierhsip opposition and I thought I wasn’t out of place but it depends if a coach thinks the same.
If not rugby, what would you be doing?
Professional fisherman or I like teaching and coaching.
Favourite cheat meal?
I’m not sure what the club’s nutritionist would say but I always have a Chinese the night before a game. I’ve done that for years.
Three dinner guests?
Liam Gallagher, Karl Pilkington and Frankie Boyle.
Best and worst banter?
Toby Williams is full of daft comments and makes me laugh unlike Charlie Maddison.
Best and worst dressed?
Tom Macdonald has some decent outfits but Jack Hayes is the worst with his gangster look. He’s from Gloucester!