20 Questions: Will Owen – Rotherham centre
It wasn’t great and very frustrating. We started the season quite well winning half of our first ten games but only won one of the next 15 or so and we finished bottom of the table.
What went wrong?
We were quite a young team and lost some close games. We had a lot of injuries to key players, too. Little things that added up in the end.
Did you lose focus knowing you wouldn’t be relegated regardless of where you finished?
Personally, I tried to keep the standards up. We might have experimented with a few things that didn’t pay off but we still tried to finish as high as we could.
Enjoyed being captain?
It was a mixed bag. It was a great honour but I hadn’t captained a team since I was 16 so it was a steep learning curve. But I grew into it with the help other senior players. I’m glad I did it.
Did it make you a better player?
Not in terms of actual skills but my game management and leadership improved massively. I seek advice early in the season but the only place to learn is on the pitch.
Where do the Titans go from there?
It’ll be a challenging season but Andy Key is a great appointment as head coach. I can’t comment too much because I won’t be involved but securing their place in the league would be a good start before pushing forward again.
Excited about moving to Doncaster?
I’m really looking forward to it and I’m very optimistic about it. They’re in a great place, having qualified for the play-offs for the past two seasons. They’re ticking all the right boxes for me.
What sort of box were you after?
Everything from what they’re doing in training to the team philosophy. I met with Clive Griffiths and he said all the things a player wants to hear.
Can you break into their midfield?
I’ll always back myself to make the team but I know it won’t be easy as they have Lloyd Hayes, Mat Clark and Andrew Bulumakau. I’m looking forward to the challenge.
What will you bring to the equation?
I’m quite direct in terms of ball carrying and I like leading the defensive line. I’m not really fancy but I do the basics well. Maybe I can have a similar role to Will Hurrell when he was there.
Still dreaming of Premiership?
Very much so or even the Pro12. I’m not going to do that sitting on the bench so I can’t wait to get going and work hard to claim a starting spot.
Is the top level out of reach for Championship players?
I don’t think so and you see a lot of players making the step up every season. The majority of players in the Championship are trying to move up.
What’s the added value for a Championship player?
It’s a harder route and Premiership clubs rightly look to their academy but Championship players are, maybe, better equipped for men’s professional rugby. They’d know they’ll get a grafter, too, because you don’t play in the Championship for the pay.
Ever had an opportunity to play in the top tier?
I was in the Dragons academy for a year after school but I never played in the Pro12 and I was let go. That’s when I went to Moseley for two seasons and then two seasons at Rotherham. I’m still chasing the dream!
Played for the Championship XV?
We beat Canada in 2014 which was probably my biggest achievement. I played alongside my Moseley teammate Greg King and Kevin Maggs was the backs coach. A great experience.
If not rugby, what would you be doing?
I’d like to open a bar or a coffee shop when I retire but I’m not sure about right now. Probably something to do with sport.
Favourite cheat meal?
I’m pretty good but I tend to have big fry-up the morning after a game and then a KFC or a Chinese in the evening.
Three special dinner guests?
Frank Sinatra, Barack Obama and James Corden.
Best and worst banter at the Titans?
Worst to Tom Williams because he doesn’t talk much. Tom Calladine is pretty funny.
Best and worst dressed?
Calladine has good chat but he dresses like an idiot. I like how Jake Henry or George Tresidder style up.
