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Q&A with First XV Coach Chris Russell

Q&A with First XV Coach Chris Russell

Yannick Debil26 Apr 2020 - 10:34
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We caught up with Chris Russell to see how he is finding lockdown and what we can expect from P&S next season.

Q: First things first, how are you?
A: I'm good, so far nobody in our household has been affected by the virus so really can't complain.

Q: How are you finding the lockdown?
A: Lockdown is going ok, it's strange having part of you freedom taken away, but we all know it is for the greater good. So we all just have to do our bit. Feels weird not being at work so trying to find things to do around the house to keep my sanity.
But I have realised I'm definitely not cut out to be a teacher, my poor kids have drawn the short straw there. But it is great spending more time with family.

Q: What do you miss the most due to the lockdown?
A: What I miss most is the freedom to get out and do things as and when I/we want to. And definitely missing the rugby, and the lads.

Q: What are your thoughts on the season?
A: It has been a season of highs and lows, went into the season with so much hope. Performance levels and skill sets have definitely risen, but haven't quite turned that into the results we wanted consistently enough. But that said this league is the toughest I can ever remember and so many clubs have improved massively. Just a shame we couldn't finish it off the way we wanted to.

Q: What was your favourite moment of the season?
A: My favourite moment on a personal note was pulling the kit back on and having the opportunity to have a run out with this fantastic bunch of lads (even if I did manage to turn my knee into dust).

Q: What was the strangest thing you witnessed this season?
A: Strangest thing has definitely been the way the season ended, nobody could have foreseen that coming and hopefully it will never happen again.

Q: And what was your worst moment of the season?
A: Worst moment(s) has to be seeing the few nasty injuries we picked up especially the horrific leg break that ended Craig's very brief debut season at the club. But it was good to see how the rest of the guys rallied around for a guy they barely knew.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being Coach at P&S?
A: Things I enjoy most are seeing things from the training ground work on the pitch, players enjoying their rugby and just being able to be a part of this awesome club.

Q: What are your thoughts on when rugby will be allowed to resume?
A: Don't think anyone knows when things will get back to normal, hopefully the start of next season will be on time and normality will back with us, if not maybe next season could be halfed and we only play each team once in a double header but who knows. I'll leave those decisions up to the people in the know and the health experts.

Q: What can we expect from P&S next season? Whenever that may be!
A: Next season I expect more of the same in terms of improvement, hopefully a new face or two and to start realising our undoubted potential.

Q: Lastly, if there is anybody out there thinking about joining P&S, what would you say to them?
A: If anyone was thinking about getting into this brilliant sport I would urge them to have a look at P&S. We are a great club with great lads who really enjoy their rugby. We are always welcoming regardless of age, ability, experience etc. And we have a lot of ambition for a small club.

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