Tap and Go catches up with Harlequins and England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, who does his best to answer our questions despite constant barracking from his team mates in the background

Andy, how goes it?
Very well mate, how are you?

Not too shabby. Big game for Quins on Sunday against one of your old clubs Wasps?
Always a big game against the Waspies. Being a Wasps old boy, when you play your old club you always want to come away with a win, but they’re the champions as well and everyone always wants their scalp.

How are you coping without the players on England duty?
The guys have really stepped up and there is a strong challenge for places even when the England boys are here. When I first arrived, Dean probably knew his team week in week out, now he’s finding it very hard to select because guys are challenging. That’s healthy and it raises the standards of the players individually, it means the club is moving forward

You were part of the England team that pulped the Wallabies scrum in the World Cup, what was it like watching that at close quarters?
Phenomenal. Whenever somebody mentions that game it brings a big grin to my face. It was an amazing time and one of the greatest victories I’ve been part of. We were big underdogs and came away with a deserved victory. The forwards were immense. It was a big confrontation and Australia really fronted up and started winning the penalty count in scrums. Our guys just knuckled down and turned the screw for us. It was amazing to play behind.

Let’s have a score prediction for the game on Saturday then
I’m like a jockey, I’m a terrible tipster. I’ll say England by ten. In back of their minds Australia will want revenge for that defeat, it hurt them badly. They’ve got a new coach and they’re a better team for it in my view but I think after Saturday, some of our new guys got rid of the nerves and we can kick on now.

Who’s the best scrum-half in world rugby?
(Puffs out his cheeks) Fourie du Preez is back now and he’s a brilliant, world-class scrum half, but the Kiwis have great depth with Weepu, Cowan and Ellis. Dwayne Peel is starting to come back into form after his move to Sale and Gareth Cooper’s done brilliantly at Gloucester.

How good is Danny Care?
It’s too early to start predicting where he stands in the world stage but at the moment he’s doing brilliantly. If he keeps this sort of form up he’s going to be climbing the ranks and the aim is for him to be the best in the world, but to be the best in world you’ve got to be consistently performing well for your country.

Who behaves most like a Premier League footballer at Quins?
Erm, I would say…(asks crowd of players behind him. Gaggle of replies ensues, some unprintable). David Strettle, or Danny Care. Sorry about that, it’s Chris Malone in the background, he’s Australian, he’ll have shut up by next week once we’ve beaten them.

Quite. What’s Dean Richards’ favourite phrase?
Er… (asks players with him again, one player shouts something obscene)… Good question. “You know what to do.” That’s his favourite phrase.

What’s your favourite film of all time?
Blimey. I’m rubbish at these questions. I can’t remember.

We’ll come back to it. What are you reading at the moment?
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Who’s your all time sporting hero?
Heat!

Pardon?
That’s my favourite film, Heat.

Well remembered. Sporting hero?
Muhammed Ali

Where would you finish in a race between you, Nick Evans, Chris Malone, and Mike Brown?
Mike Brown would win but I’d come second. I’ve got proof of that.

We believe you. Thanks Andy
Thanks a lot mate.

Andrew Gomarsall was speaking at a taste testing event for the Gatorade Sports Science Institute at Harlequins. Gatorade is The Official Hydration Partner of the Guinness Premiership. For more information please visit www.gatorade.co.uk