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 Ben Ransom Interview

Freddy Clode - School Boy 7s reporter, got the chance to sit down with up and coming star Ben Ransom. This time last year Ben was star of the Tonbridge 7s side which won the nationals at Rosslyn Park, and since this success he has rapidly risen to gain a consistent place in the England under 20 first team.

Freddy chats with Ben about his immediate rise from 1st XV and 7s rugby at Tonbridge, to becoming one of England’s brightest prospects for the future.

Ben has started at full back in six consecutive victories for England U18 last season, can figure at fly half and on the wing. A member of Saracens Senior Academy, Ben has studied at Tonbridge School with career aims of playing at full international level for England, working in the City and owning his own company.

BR – Ben Ransom – England and Saracens player

FC – Freddy Clode - UR7s School Boy 7s Reporter

FC - What’s this last year been like since leaving Tonbridge to eventually becoming a
regular for both England and Saracens?

BR – The year has gone by very quickly so far, it seems like only yesterday that I left
Tonbridge. But I have enjoyed every minute of it! Playing and training with seasoned
professionals such as Schalk Brits and Alex Goode is amazing. I learn so much from
all the players being in an elite environment like Saracens. Having played 3 LV cup
games, been on the bench in the premiership against London Irish and just being
in the changing room on match days has been thoroughly exciting and a credit to
Saracens for having faith in me to do the job when needed. Also with the U20s it’s
great to play with the likes of Owen, Mako and the rest of the boys and gives you an
insight into the demands of playing international rugby. Fabulous year so far and
hope it continues!

FC – What’s so special about Schoolboy rugby?

BR –Playing with a group of friends who you’ve been so close to over a number of
years creates a team spirit that makes every player want to be thre for each other. It
really is something special and I do miss it. It’s also great fun playing with your best
mates.

FC - Who are the best 7s players you have played with or played against?

BR – Danny Caprice and Tonbridge’s very own Damilola Segun. Danny I have
played with at Saracens and his feet and pace are ridiculous. Good luck in the next
legs of the series mate! And in schoolboy rugby there is no substitute for the out and
out pace which Dami had, when he caught the ball he was lethal! Marcus Watson is a
great player that I have played against and it is great to see him breaking through to
the first team! Other notable mentions go to Wadey and Luke Baldwin

FC – What’s your advice for young rugby players both trying to make it in the worlds of 7s and XVs Rugby?

BR – Get yourself out there and play well whilst your at it. If an Opportunity comes up then take it and go for it one hundred percent. If you play well and are good enough you will be picked up by an academy or sevens outfit. Lots of hard work and commitment from there on and you will go far.

FC – How did it feel to win the biggest 7s tournament in the world last year at Rosslyn Park?

BR –Having lost so narrowly in the Colts final against Brynteg we all wanted to go
that extra step and win it this time. At the final whistle it was a relief that all our
hard work over the two days had paid off and we could finally call ourselves national
champions. As well as getting Tonbridge’s name on the trophy for the first time it
was a really proud moment for me.

FC – 7s Rugby is fast, exciting and exhausting but what makes it such a special sport?

BR – There is a lot more space on a 7s pitch and this makes it a lot easier for teams
and individuals to attack, making it more fun for the players and spectators.

FC – Are you still playing 7s and if so for who?

BR –I played for Saracens last summer in the Premiership Sevens, which was great to
win! I also played in the Middlesex sevens which didn’t go so well but it was good to
play against the England team at Help for Heroes.

FC – Growing up who was your Rugby hero and who is the best Rugby 7s player in the world at the moment?

BR – Jonny (Wilkinson) of course! Being quite young when he slotted the drop goal
in 2003 and just starting to think about playing rugby more seriously he was the
prominent player I remember. The best sevens player hmm… Ben Gollings is really
good and Injera , also loved watching Serevi and Ryder!

FC – What are the 3 main highlights of your career so far?

BR –Playing for the England U20s, my first professional game in the LV cup for
Saracens and winning the national sevens!

FC - What do you do in your down time/time off to chill out?

BR –I have a work placement in Canary Wharf once a week, a playstation 3 at home
with the all important FIFA and then there’s time spent relaxing with my friends and
girlfriend. I also play golf when I can.

FC – How do you maintain concentration during Rugby 7s for a whole day, and at Rosslyn Park, sometimes teams have to ‘warm up’ up to nine times in one day!

BR – Keeping the end goal in mind is key as 7s is really tiring physically and you
need to stay mentally focused. On the physical side recovery shakes and hydration
are the main things that will keep you performing well!
FC – What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a professional rugby player?

BR – I would currently be on a gap year with my friends in South America. I received a
deferred place at Bristol University to study economics but unfortunately I had to turn it
down and I am currently looking at London based universities!

FC – If you were only allowed to take three things to a desert island what would they be?

BR –mobile phone, TV and sun cream….

FC – Blonde or Brunette? Fish and Chips or curry? Ale or lager? Pub with the lads or
evening with the lady? 7s or XVs? Fullback or Flyhalf?

BR –Blonde; fish and chips; lager; I’ll take the lady to the pub with the lads; XVs, fullback!

Ben, thanks so much for your time, attention and the wonderful insight you have givenus into the life of a professional rugby player. Best of luck in the future and also in this current England Under 20s 6 Nations tournament!