Tonight I have caught up with pocket rocket Martin Hopley. A winger by trade but can slot in at full back. Often dismissed by his opposition for his size but soon remedies that with his big tackling and aggressive running. He has developed in every season he has played and has cemented his first team place!.

1. How old were you when you started playing rugby?
I started playing when I was 13 and lasted about a month, Was just too small compared to everyone else. Started playing again when I was 19 after a few growth spurts.

2. What was your first rugby memory?
My first rugby memory, was when I was given a playing shirt that would, once put on would fall to my shins. Pretty much looked like a 3 year old running around with his dads shirt on.

3. Who was your role model and why?
I have two, Jason Robinson because of his ridiculous speed and foot work. Chris Hyndman because of his work ethic and the ability to read the game.

4. Can you remember your first training session with Billingham?
It was in the Winter in the mud and freezing cold.

5. What do you eat before a big match?
Golden syrup porridge with a coffee before a home game.
Meal deal from Morrison’s on away games.

6. Describe your perfect weekend.
Steak and chips with pepper corn sauce on a relaxing Friday night watching a film.
Big away game followed by a win, a bottle of captain Morgans and coke for the bus home, dovecote, townhouse or flares on the night.
With a chilled and relaxing Sunday (hopefully hungover free, which is always unlikely)

7. What’s been your career highlight ?
Last year playing and winning at twickenham, just an unbelievable experience.

8.What one tip would you give a young person looking to succeed.
Theres no quick road to success, everything takes time, hard work and dedication, and if your willing to do all that then there’s no reason why you can succeed, weather it’s in sport, work or life in general.

9. What’s the next goal in your rugby career?
Don’t really have a rugby goal, Just happy to help Billingham out Wherever I’m needed whether it’s for the 1st team, 2nd team or 3rd team

Keep up the good work Hoppers!

#OSIOS