20 Questions: Steve Boden – Yorkshire Carnegie coach

How has your week been up in Leeds?
We had a good training with a lot of players coming back to fitness which is good to do more competitive stuff in training.
Do you put the recent run of iffy results down to injuries?
We had a couple of boys out in key positions but I don’t think that’s why we lost our last four games. We didn’t play well against the Pirates but after that, against Jersey and London Irish twice, we performed well.
Why did you come up short then?
We made two of three crucial errors. We only lost by six points at home to Irish and I thought we matched them physically, so it’s not like we’re not competing.
So what do you need to improve?
Our discipline is something we’ve been focusing on and we’ve seen improvements in the past three games which is pleasing.
Ready for the big Yorkshire derby against Doncaster today?
It’s second against third but that doesn’t matter to be honest. It’s always an emotional game and we know it’s going to be a tough game at Castle Park against a side in good form.
What do you expect from them?
They’re really well-coached and they’re moving the ball a bit more this season. But they have a very experienced pack and they can always go back to their set piece if needed.
Looks like a nice warm-up before the play-offs too?
It hasn’t really crossed our minds yet. All we’re looking towards is performing this week to hopefully build a bit of form in the lead up to the play-offs.
Can you challenge London Irish for promotion?
They’re clearly at top of the league for a reason and it’s hard to see past them to go up. But we’d be naive to think we’ll be in the final against them. We’ve got some big games coming up in the league first.
What’s been working well for you so far?
The pack is able to squeeze a few points out of the set-piece but we also have some good running threats. We play a good brand of rugby and if we sort our discipline out we could be successful.
What impact did the announcement of boss Brian Redpath leaving have on the club?
It’s really not been an issue with anyone. He made a decision to leave and he told everyone as early as he could to make sure it wouldn’t be a distraction later. It’s a testament to the great bloke ‘Brush’ is.
Any news about the coaching set up for next season?
Nothing yet. It’s going to be attack coach James Lowes and myself for now.
Would you fancy stepping up as head coach?
I’m pretty happy with telling people how to push in the scrum. I’m a young coach and I’m ambitious but I’m aware I still have a lot of learning to do. I don’t want to rush into it and fail.
How long have you coached for?
I had to retire at 30 while playing for Jersey because of a neck injury. But I was lucky there was an opportunity for me to join the coaching staff. I spent four years at Jersey before moving back to Leeds last summer.
How do you look back at your playing career?
I came through the Carnegie academy and played a bit of first team before moving to Doncaster for seven seasons and had that last season in Jersey.
Would you have liked to play in the Premiership?
Of course but if I’m honest I probably wasn’t big enough to make it. I had a chance to do so when I was at Donny and I could have earned £40k more being the third or fourth choice but I wanted to play rugby. I’m happy to have played nearly 200 games for the Knights in the end.
What did you have planned for after rugby?
I was a plummer by trade with my own business so I’d have probably been looking at going back to do that.
Favourite cheat meal?
Fish and chips.
Three special dinner guests?
Peter Kay, Ricky Hatton and Muhammad Ali
Best and worst banter at Carnegie?
Tom Casson is quite dry and gets a laugh out of me from time to time but Jack Whetton is a bit slow.
Best and worst dressed?
Oli Goss is always well-groomed out of the changing room unlike Phil Nilsen.