Raise Your Game: What's the atmosphere like for you and the team out here at the Commonwealth Games?

Robin Sowden-Taylor: It's fantastic! We're obviously staying in the athletes' village, and we're getting caught up in the buzz of the atmosphere of the games. It's something that's quite unique. It's a huge occasion for any sportsman to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games. As a rugby player I never thought I'd get the opportunity to get involved in something as big as the Commonwealth Games, and all the boys are really on a high at the moment, taking everything in out here in Melbourne.

RYG: How hard has the training been?

RST: It's been pretty tough and intense. We've only been here since Sunday and it's been quite hard training in the heat which we're not used to back home. Especially as we left snow in Cardiff! All the boys are really enjoying it though, so hopefully all the hard work and training will pay off as the games get underway.

RYG: And training for you, how hard do you train to get to this position?

RST: For the majority of the boys, rugby is their livelihood as we're full time professionals so we do train at high intensity. We do a lot of training, and it's important to get yourself the best preparation for these games, as in any competition.

RYG: So how does someone get to your level in rugby?

RST: I think firstly you've got to enjoy what you do. Even now after 17 or 18 years of rugby, I still love it as much as I did at the beginning!