20 Questions: Jordan Crane – Leicester No.8

Pleased with your season so far?
It’s been tough coming back from a long injury but it’s going OK. It’s great to be back.
You were out for the whole of last season, weren’t you?
Yes. My kneecap got tilted over time and the cartilage was wearing away. I had the kneecap moved, micro-fractures were created underneath and they took some of my hamstring to keep it in place and stimulate cartilage growth. It was complex stuff.
Sounds horrific! Did you fear for your career?
Yes. It was 50/50 whether it was going to work so I’m pretty pleased to be back.
Endure any low moments?
It was difficult at times, not knowing whether you’d get back, but I just cracked on with it. Hopefully the knee will hold up for a few more years now.
What was the joke about you being the ‘world’s greatest water carrier’ all about?
I started carrying the water when we beat Bath in last season’s LV= Cup semi and we didn’t lose again until the Premiership final. If we’d beaten Quins, Disney would have made a film about me!
Could have been a footballer, couldn’t you?
Yes. I was a young goalkeeper in the academy at West Brom, but I started playing rugby at 14 and that took over really. After that I went to Colston’s School and that was that.
Still follow West Brom?
Yes, I’m a big Baggies fan and it’s been a good season for us. I’ve been to quite a few games.
Childhood sporting idol?
I actually supported Liverpool as a kid and John Barnes was my hero growing up. He was part of that
Liverpool team with Fowler, McManaman, Redknapp and Co.
Apart from watching Baggies, how do you chill-out?
I enjoy visiting my family – parents are in Bromsgrove and my brother’s just got a little girl in Tamworth – and I tend to visit the cinema a lot.
Are you Lewis Moody Mk.II, watching films the night before a game?
No, not before a game, but I usually go at least once a week. I’d make a good film critic. Best film this year is James Bond’s Skyfall… definitely one to watch.
Enjoy eating out?
Yes. Italian’s my favourite. We’ll go to Castro’s restaurant now and again, but there are other good Italian places in Leicester and we don’t like lining his pockets too much!
Leicester player you’d hate to be stuck in a lift with?
Rob Andrew. He’s a South African who thinks he knows everything and you’d be bored to tears pretty quickly having to listen to him.
Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?
Megan Fox. Even if she wouldn’t talk to you, you’d still be able to look at her.
Best and worst trainers at Tigers?
Tom Croft’s a bit of a skiver but Kieran Brookes is the worst… he’s very hard to motivate. Best is Matthew Tait, who’s very keen and conscientious.
Best and worst dressed?
Worst is George Chuter… shops at Asda and turns up for a night out in £2 T-shirts. I’d put myself up as one of the smartest, along with Patrick ‘Pin-Sharp’ Phibbs.
Best banter?
Chuter’s usually at the forefront of anything that’s going on and Julian Salvi normally takes the brunt of it. He’s just the stupidest player you’ll ever come across.
Match day rituals?
I start getting changed exactly 50 minutes before kick-off and always put my right sock on before the left one. Same with my boots… right one first, then left.
Another sportsman you’d like to be?
Footballer’s earn a lot more money and get less scars for doing it, so someone like David Beckham would be pretty cool. He’s got the lot really.
Guilty pleasures?
McDonalds and Coca Cola. I could drink Coke all day but being a rugby player you’ve got to make the sacrifice. I’ll indulge a little after a game, though!
You were capped three times by England, fancy another crack?
Hopefully that might happen one day. I’m only 26 and if I can recapture my best form, I might be an option. First things first, though, I’ve got to cement myself at Leicester again.