Q): What was it like getting called into the England training squad……..
AA): It was a great feeling and a fantastic opportunity - I had a lot to prove - but I just wanted to enjoy it and work with all these really good players. My aim was just to carry on what I had been doing for Gloucester.
Q): What was your first training session like……….
AA): I just wanted to go for it. I was alongside better players than me and that makes you concentrate hard and play as well as you can. I didn't really know what to expect but it has helped playing alongside someone like Mike Tindall, who has won 50 caps for England for Gloucester. It was not easy, but I thought it went okay.
Q): What did it feel like when you were name in the team to face New Zealand………….
AA): Andy Robinson said he was going to announce the squad on Monday but we had individual meetings with him in the morning and when I went in he said: "I have some good news, you have got the number 12 shirt for the New Zealand game, congratulations and good luck, I have plenty of confidence in you."
He said when he won his first cap he wanted to go into the car park and scream - and that was exactly how I felt. The first person I called was my brother and he said it was fantastic and could I get him tickets.
I spoke to my dad and it was just a massive buzz - a fantastic feeling - I went back to my room and was just thinking 'oh my god'.
On the day of the game we had to wait for an hour for the bus and I was just pacing up and down my room in a pretty nervous state. It was made a bit easier because we had a team run at Twickenham on the Friday and I had played sevens there too.
Q): What was it like walking into the dressing room………….
AA): We were presented with two shirts - one at the hotel before we left and then when we got into the dressing room I was in between Charlie Hodgson and Jamie Noon with my shirt and all my kit laid out. It had first cap, November 5 2006 v New Zealand on it and to see it there was pretty exciting.
It was an amazing experience, to be in there, with all those great players was fantastic.
Q): What was the final team talk like………………..
AA): Martin Corry did it and it was very emotional and exciting at the same time. I was in there experiencing it all and although I was really enjoying it, I was very nervous by that stage. We talked about cool heads and things like that. For my warm-up, I like to do my own thing and then get involved with the team structure - try and stay cool and concentrate on what I am going to have to do.
Q): What was the anthem like……………….
AA): I had been prepared for it because I had sung it before for the Under-19s. But this was a massive day and totally different to anything I had experienced. But I did sing it and it felt good.
For the Argentina game, I picked out my girlfriend in the crowd but she said to me afterwards she didn't want to look straight at me in case I laughed.
Q): What was the Haka experience like……………..
AA): I had seen it before with the Under-19s but I found it better to look at one of the white guys doing it because it's less intimidating than anyone else and I think it's true. But I just had a good look round the stadium and took in the atmosphere - I tried not to get drawn in by it. Some of the players smiled back or were pretty intense - you just have to do what feels comfortable.
Q): What did the first contact feel like…………………
AA): I ended up with 11 stitches in my lip. All I remember is that their winger came in as I went round on the loop and hit me in jaw. I played on until half-time and then was stitched up a bit and then afterwards I had some more - you could say they left their mark. But I think it went well for me personally. Obviously there were the things that didn't quite go as planned but I was pleased with what I could contribute against the best team in the world.
Q): What did you sing for your debut song…………….
AA): Thankfully, Shaun Perry went first but I did Build me up, Buttercup - it was quite funny - that's all I am saying.
Q) What are your aims now…………….
AA): I just want to try and get into rugby with Gloucester, aim to continue playing as well as I can and just take it from there. I loved the experience but I want to concentrate on getting my best form back and hopefully earn another opportunity with England in the future.
I loved every minute of it but all my attention now is on doing well with Gloucester.
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