After bursting onto the scene last season,
Wasps’ centre Dominic Waldouck was tipped
for England honours. While injury has put
him out of contention so far this season,
the
young midfielder is getting back on track…
Good game against Bath, happy with the way things are going at Wasps?
It’s good from a personal point of view to be playing again and it was certainly good to get a win at the Rec, now we can keep on pushing towards a top four finish.
You can back from 20-13 down at half-time to win 42-34…
We came in at half-time quite despondent to have given away that score just before the break. Some harsh words were said and we just came out on fighting in the second half – it all just clicked.
Why do you think Wasps have struggled this year?
Injuries haven’t helped matters, and we’ve been in a bit of position with boys representing their countries – it’s great for them, but not ideal for the club. At the same time though, I do think we’ve got strength in depth here I just don’t think we’ve had a chance to prove it yet. These next few weeks with the boys away at the Six Nations we should be able to step up and show how strong we are.
What’s your aim for the rest of the season?
From a personal point of view, at the beginning of the season my aim was to compete for England places but now, having been out for ten weeks with injury, I just want to consolidate my first team place and then see what happens. I’ve had to reassess my goals a bit and I’m just happy to be playing at Wasps.
Was the ten weeks the longest you’ve been out for?
When I was 18 I had to have a shoulder operation which kept me out for eight months – but I was still at school then. When you’re at a rugby club surrounded by rugby all the time, it’s really frustrating. I was told I was moping around for a lot of the time when I was injured – but when you’re a professional rugby player if you can’t play it takes a lot out of your life.
Last season, when you were being talked of as a future England centre, did it effect you?
When those kind of things are said it is nice to hear but I was just concentrating on Wasps. And, as I said before, it was one of my goals to get into contention, now I just want to be playing in the Wasps’ first team.
What have you made of the England in the Six Nations?
Unfortunately I didn’t get to see the Welsh game, but it just seems the guys are looking good in parts and then letting it slip in the second-half. I don’t know if it’s a mental thing or not, but the quality’s there in the side. We can do well in the Six Nations, it’s just a matter of playing for the whole game.
When you look at the international stage, which centres do you rate?
I like the way the New Zealand model works with a creative guy at 12 such as Aaron Mauger or Luck McAlister – at Wasps its Riki Flutey. In terms of outsides centres, well, Brian O’Driscoll is always very good…
You’re fairly new to the senior squad at Wasps, are you settled in?
This is my second year out of school and I think this year I’ve grown up more as a player. Last year I was the young gun coming through but now I’m just another player and I’ve got no excuses because I’ve got a season under my belt and I’ve got to perform…
How you keeping yourself busy out of rugby?
I’m doing a uni course in PPE (Politics, Philosophy and Economics). Sometimes the workload does get quite heavy but because it’s a correspondence course it fits around rugby quite well. I wanted to do something to get my mind off rugby and keep my brain ticking over.
Is it something you want to pursue after rugby?
I’m still only 20, so all that seems a long way away – I don’t know what I want to do, at least the degree gives me some options.
Who you are mates with at Wasps?
I came through the academy with Danny Cipriani and we’re pretty close, I’d say he’s my best mate at the club.
He’s doing alright at the moment?
He’s playing really well at the moment and a bit unlucky not to get more of a go with the England team, I’m sure he’ll get a chance in the Six Nations though.
Think he will then…
I do, he showed he can make that step up it’s just unfortunate he plays in the same position as Jonny Wilkinson. He wouldn’t let anyone down if he did play though. There’s been talk about Dan playing at full-back, and I think that is option because he played well there for Wasps last season.
And he’s also had a bit of press coverage on other matters, given him much stick?
Nah, not really, I think he’s pretty sorted and he deals with the press really well.
Realistically can Wasps finish in the top four?
I think there’s a long way to go but our aim is to finish there. We’ve set our target and that means having to win every game so that’s what we’ve got to try and do….