1ROB CARMICHAEL
W hen did you first play rugby? I started playing in Hong Kong, where both my parents worked, when I was four. They took me and my brother to HKU Sandy Bay RFC as a way to meet new people. What was it like? Way hotter than the UK but it was still a really good rugby environment to grow up in. It’s pretty big over there. You get loads of English, Kiwis, Saffas and Aussies; a melting pot. Positions played? I started out as a second-row and wanted to try my luck as a back, but then I kept growing and getting slower and found myself very out of place. So I moved back into the forwards, which I realised I way preferred.
How tall are you? I’m 6ft 11in. I’ve been relentlessly growing my whole life. I’ve always been the big gangly kid at the back of the photo.
So that makes you the tallest professional rugby player in the world? I have no idea about that but if it’s going, I’ll claim it. That title would be pretty cool. I’ve already been told to have a watch of (6ft 10in Scotland international) Richie Gray and look at his game.
When did rep rugby start? I did the Hong Kong U14 and U16 pathway and I played a bit of HK sevens as well. I moved over to Nottingham in the UK in 2019. I was playing for my school, Trent College, when I got scouted for the Leicester Tigers academy. I played there during Covid and was involved in some England U18 camps. I was on a senior academy contract at Leicester the last couple of years and played England U20 in 2023. How was your international U20 debut? It was a really grand occasion. Anthems, big crowd – more of an event than I’ve been involved with. It was against Scotland U20s, so it was a family divide – it was kind of hard to not sing both anthems! My (Scottish) dad was wearing neutral colours. So what countries are you qualified for? I’ve played for England and I think I’m Welsh-qualified too. I’m proud of everywhere I come from, so we’ll see how things go but I’d love to play for Scotland. How have you found the pro environment? It’s more of a job than just playing. At times it’s a bit stressful but it’s something I’ve come to love. Are you studying? Yes, sports science at Nottingham Uni.
2BEN REDSHAW
When did you first play rugby? When I was five at West Park Leeds. My dad took me down, I was quite a sporty young lad and we literally lived two minutes away. What attracted you to the sport? The
