20 Questions: Tom Hayes – Exeter captain

Exeter’s season so far?
There’ve been some frustrating results but overall we’re on a similar points total to last year and there’s still a lot for us to play for.
Annoyed at getting just 3 points from games against Gloucester, Bath and Saints?
A little bit. We were in a strong position to kick-on but we’re not too downbeat.
Pleased to be at such a progressive club?
It’s great. It impresses players to know the club’s so ambitious and makes fellas want to join us. The board are driving the club forward and that rubs off on players.
Only Tom Johnson in England’s 65… feel a bit hard done by?
I suppose the successful clubs get more recognition. They’re playing in finals and stuff at the end of the season. It’s not something we can get too down about.
Are Exeter viewed as a bit unfashionable?
Possibly, but we’re trying to be successful. If you look back 5 or 6 years, how many Quins or Sarries players were in the England squad? Very few. But now they’ve got loads.
Do you miss Ireland?
A bit. I only intended playing one year at Plymouth and had a job lined up back home, but I’m in my 8th season in England now and have had two kids here. I’ll leave with more baggage than I came with!
If not rugby, what would you have done?
I’m qualified as a quantity surveyor so would probably have done that. But I may get involved in the family farm, although the Irish economy’s not great right now.
Teenage rugby idols?
I didn’t discover rugby until I was 14. I remember the names of Brendan Mullin, Michael Lynagh and David Campese because they played in that epic World Cup quarter-final with Australia in Dublin in 1991, which Ireland lost in the last minute.
What sports did you play?
Both the Gaelic games – hurling and football – so my heroes would have been Jack O’Shea, the Kerry midfielder, and Larry Tomkins and Mark Foley of Cork.
How did you get into rugby?
My brother, John, played for Bruff and I decided to jump in as well. I actually started as a loosehead prop before making my way to No.8 via the second row.
Did you dream of playing for Munster?
I started before the Heineken Cup was launched so the dream was to play for Shannon in the All Ireland League. Munster didn’t really explode until 2000.
Enjoy success with Shannon?
Yes. I was captain in my last two years in Ireland and we won the league in 3 out of 4 years. But I got to the stage where I’d achieved all you could achieve there.
Were you not on Munster’s radar?
I was, but it got to the point in 2005 where the Heineken Cup side was building and I wasn’t making progress. I wasn’t going to be offered anything so I came to England. The rest is history.
How do you chill-out?
The wife and kids keep me busy. I’ve got a young boy, Ogie, who was born between the two Championship finals in 2010, and a 10-month old daughter called Daire.
Enjoy other sports?
I try to keep abreast of the Gaelic games and I’m quite keen on golf. I don’t play but love watching the majors. The Ryder Cup is the best one-off contest you’ll see.
Another sportsman you’d like to be?
Lewis Hamilton’s doing alright for himself money-wise. I wouldn’t mind a bit of that!
Pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I used to be superstitious about having the right bag or wearing the right stuff, but it’s a waste of time. Now I just have a check-list of what to pack.
Got any bugbears?
Rudeness and arrogance. Can’t stand them. Punctuality, too. I hate making people wait.
Anything about rugby you’d change?
Stop over-protecting scrum-halves! You can do some perfectly decent counter-rucking and then get penalised for knocking over the No.9. They should be fair game.
Ambitions for the season?
To keep improving and not leave anything behind at the end. We have a lot to be positive about at Exeter and need to take our chances.