Martin Castrogiovanni Interview

Martin Castrogiovanni a colossal prop who plays for the Leicester Tigers and a real fan favourite. He's also a former Guinness Premiership player of the season and an Italy International who recently played in the Rugby World Cup in 2011, and truly one of the greats. Martin talks to us about how he got into rugby, why he's not a football player and his encounter with the legendary Jonah Lomu.

Firstly, Martin; How did you get started in the game of Rugby, when did you first start playing?

Well it's a story everyone knows, I think. I was playing all my life; I was playing basketball and swimming. My mum didn't want me to play rugby but when I turned 18 I went for a push on the ref in basketball and that's how I started playing. Rugby I was 18/early 19 I didn't want to play basketball I needed to do something to stop my mum from sending me…I think I did alright to be honest.

With playing in a club like the Leicester Tigers, do you feel pressurised? Does it feel difficult for you week in/week out?

Definitely. With a team like Leicester you have more pressure because there's more to win against you. Everyone knows how Leicester did this year, we have more titles; everyone wants to compete against us. We're a good team because everyone wants to beat us. I prefer it that way, to be tested every week. I'll play one game every three or four weeks. I prefer it and I think you grow as a player and a person as well.

During the rugby world cup, what did you think of Italy's performance?

Obviously we going to go through them, we went through to the quarter final. We were solid everyone was talking about us. Everyone was talking about Ireland playing badly before that…but you know. I think that they did deserve to win against us because they're a much better team but apart from that Italy didn't score that many Tries in the rugby world cup. It's a hard game, so there's nothing to say, they did much better than I thought they were going to play. That's rugby. That's life.

Do you find it easier playing with some of the English players at international level after having played with so many of them at club level?

I enjoy it because I can have some chats with them, the lads are enjoying the game and I enjoy it with them. It's a little bit less fun at international level because we never laugh. We always had some laughs after the games. It's good, I love it and I enjoy playing rugby. The day I stop enjoying it is when I will end my career.

You won Guinness Premiership player of the year 2007. That must have been quite an honour for you how did you feel picking up that award?

That was, you know. Honestly I don't speak that much English… I was even standing in front of the camera thinking 'they'll want a question and answer.' What i was really thinking was 'it's a pressure. An honour.' These things don't happen that often… I was so proud that I was recognised for that.'

One of the best games I've ever seen was against London Irish last season at home. Your Try was, well, Amazing. Could you describe a moment like that?

Well I was running, the ball was in my hands, I didn't drop it, I don't know why because normally I drop the ball but I ran something more than 10 meters. He was going to try from one goal line to the other. You can tell when you have to do something different from what you normally do. You will enjoy it more and it's beautiful because everyone recognises your job and what you have to do inside the field and everyone was happy. Like when Coley scored two weeks ago against Gloucester when he ran 20 meters. You can see when everyone is delighted, it's something we enjoy and everyone is enjoying it as well.

Your celebration was brilliant.

Who are the best players you've played against in rugby?

I play with and against a lot of good players. I don't want to make some jealous but I've had the honour to play –in my first game- internationally against New Zealand. I played (Jonah) Lomu He showed me how good a player he was. I was with him in the middle of the pitch and I couldn't believe it. I've really played with a lot of good players. Harry Ellis, the kind of people that don't retire. They stay in the game; it makes you understand how lucky you are. You know sometimes we moan, but people have more problems. I play with a lot of players. I have a good life in a club like this. I don't think I will ever find a bad player.

There always seems to be a rugby vs. football argument, in particular the way the professionals act; do you think football could gain anything from the way that rugby is played?

I would love to be skinny and quick and play football, I love football. I watch football and I would love to play but I need to understand my limits. I love both rugby and football they both have they're good things and their bad things but football would carry too much pressure. But we can take something from football like we can take something from rugby, and even basketball. I think every sport is different from one another. We just need to respect them for what they are.

Away from rugby, you've opened up your own chain of restaurants; how did this come about?

I just wanted to have free food to be honest. Well I was injured all the time; I was out of work for 8 months once. I realised that in life I wanted to play rugby, I think it's the best that I can do along with other stuff in my life but when we all go home we used to have nothing to do. If you're injured you go home not happy. Having other stuff in your life helps you to be away from all that, so this is what I'm doing and this is what I like to do, and in my life once I finish my career I will own my own future. This will help me to get away when I've had a bad moment like other people have their families. My girlfriend moved in with me and that helped me a lot, because she keeps me going when I'm not happy and not playing, because like I said before, I love to play. I would love to always be able to play and this is something to help me take my head away when it's not going right with rugby.

Is it difficult to be on the side-lines watching the game while you're injured?

Yeah. I hate it. When I'm not being there, being part of the team or helping the team. But all the fans love to see us and it's really bad to be outside of it all; especially when you can't help your team.

Finally, what advice would you give to the young rugby players trying to make it?

The first thing about rugby is enjoy it with your mates. Some of the best people are the friends you make on your team. You want to stay focused for your whole life and obviously you need to stay with your coach and listen to him; he'll say so many important things that you'll use. There are a lot of rugby clubs that aren't professional. You want to go to professional clubs. I had the opportunity to play too much in my club because I started so late. I think the best thing to do is go to your club, play for your club and play with your mates and enjoy it.

Interview by Rhien Shephard