@TigersUnoffy Q&A with Ed Slater

Leicester Tigers and England Saxons lock Ed Slater recently took part in a question and answer session on Twitter with the excellent @TigersUnoffy.

Many thanks to Ed for taking the time to answer questions and to all the people who sent them in.

Be sure to follow @TigersUnoffy on Twitter for the latest Tigers news, discussion and more questions and answers with players in the future.

What makes Tigers stand out above Quins, Sarries and Saints? Is a place in the Lions squad a realistic goal? And what does Ed really think of the new kit? Keep reading for all of Ed's answers...

(Source: Leicester Tigers)

@TigersUnoffy: How do you feel your 2nd season has gone with Tigers?

Ed: I have been pretty happy, missing out on the last weeks is frustrating but a win on saturday will get rid of that.

@TigersUnoffy: You scored vital tries vs Falcons and Sarries. Which was your favourite?

Ed: The Newcastle one was better because it was 5 metres opposed to 1 metre against Sarries! Overall beating Saracens was better.

@TigersUnoffy: Do you prefer playing 4 or 5? What’s the difference?

Ed: 4 is usually the grunt man and 5 is the smarter operator. I only fit one of those!

@TigersUnoffy: Worst dresser in the forwards?

Ed: Kieran Brookes likes to slip in to a few tight fitting V neck t-shirts. I'll wind him up by saying that.

@TigersUnoffy: How much time do you spend on line-out analysis?

Ed: Blaze and Parling are the gurus.

@TigersUnoffy: Lastly, what do you think of the new home kit?

Ed: It is a lot different to other kits but I like it.

@keithtiger: how did you feel when you heard @LeicesterTigers wanted you to come and play for them.

Ed: Nervous. Big club, great players, great place to play. Richard Blaze settled those by letting me know I was in his changing spot

@keithtiger: who poses the biggest threat on Saturday for tigers?

Ed: Nick Evans. Big game player, runs the game very well for Quins.

@Lauren_Whittock: Most entertaining person to sit next to on the team bus, and why?

Ed: Jordan Crane (@JordanCrane86) is most entertaining when we play our games of cards on the bus. Doesn't miss a thing!

@BethHurrell_: if you couldn't play rugby, what would you have like to have done instead?

Ed: I'd probably be an illegal immigrant in Sydney working at Bondi Pizza restaurant eating half, serving half!

@KiRBY_Payne: I know playing for tigers must be great, but how do you switch it off - how do you relax??

Ed: I don't really switch off, I just listen to music and try not to get too angry at everything!

@BenIreland3: Ed, what for you makes Tigers such an attractive club to play at ahead of sarries, quins, saints etc?

Ed: History, environment and facilities. You can't argue the club stands out above the rest in those respects.

@TigersKarenDV: what was your favourite tv show as a child?

Ed: Although I didn't get it when I was younger, Only Fools and Horses was one of my favourite shows. Otherwise Live and Kicking!

@mar1ayd: what’s your pre-match ritual?

Ed: I don't really have a ritual but I like to get my kit ready the night before the game and spend the morning being relaxed.

@robthomas69: biggest ambition in rugby, eng captain of grand slam? Lions tour? Back to back Hcups? World cup winner?

Ed: At the moment, I just want to win things with Leicester. Hopefully other things will follow from that if thay are meant to be.

@1972Bay: Looking forward to seeing the young crop of players coming through next season - who do you think will stand out?

Ed: Tom Price, George Catchpole and Scott Steele are younger guys doing well.

@timblackburn: Which team would you say the boys have the biggest rivalry with - Wasps, Northampton or Sarries?

Ed: I couldn't speak for everyone but I enjoy playing against Sarries and Northampton most.

@1972Bay: what's been your favorite game playing for the Tigers so far and why?

Ed: Saracens away this year was a good one. The way the game was won helped.

@GordonAlderson: You seem to generate a lot of power in the scrum and maul, is this a part of the game you enjoy most?

Ed: Most forwards wants to run around with the ball! It is good to batter a team in the scrum and maul though...

@1972Bay: what are your predictions for the top 4 premiership teams for next season?

Ed: I think there are 6 or 7 teams that will push all the way.

@twb81: You played 8 in the A final. Do you see a future playing in the back row?

Ed: It wouldn't hurt to have it as a back option, but at the moment I am concentrating fully on being a good lock.

@1972Bay: what are your main interests away from rugby?

Ed: Movies, music nothing too out of the ordinary. I just bought a bike, inspired by Sam Harrison.

@mattjenner94: Who'd you prefer to play alongside, Martin Johnson or Ben Kay

Ed: Well if they are both fit I would probably be watching from the stands!

@tigerwillis1: did you miss your MK team mates? Roy tanner says hi by the way

Ed: I still see a few of them. Joe Gorman is one of my closest mates I see regularly.

@mar1ayd: who do you room with on your away trips and who is your nightmare roomie in the squad?

Ed: I room alone because of intolerable snoring...apparently. Ask Ben Woods (@benwoods82). Although Jimmy Stevens (@jimmydstevens1) has been a great roomie recently.

@teenytigeress: Favourite meal and favourite sweeties/chocolates Ed?

Ed: Nandos is the easy answer and Wine Gums.

@mandell1988: what's the best tigers game you have seen or played in?

Ed: Quins/Saints away this year were good.

@ellie_johnson96: who is the funniest player in the tigers team? And the most boring?

Ed: Kieran Brookes is the funniest...to look at. Only joking. Hard question.

@vicky_c: who are you going to miss the most next season?

Ed: All of them are great blokes. That isn't dodging the question!

@DebChall are you superstitious?

Ed: Not at all!

@twb81: How does the level of A League rugby compare to Championship?

Ed: A lot less physical than the Championship

@MURRANT82: How good a job is Chris Powell doing and can city have him back please?

Ed: Hands off, the bloke is a legend!

@WildeJedi: I miss the letters. I believed they were a badge of honour compared to numbers. Would you prefer to be 4/5 or D/E

Ed: Numbers on the back and Letters are on the front!

@robship: Does Geoff Parling's genius lie in his mighty beard? And does Castro make sure no one has a bushier one than he?

Ed: I cant grow anything so I will tell you when I can, and if it worked.

@TigersUnoffy: A massive thanks to @edslater for taking the time to talk to us.