Raise Your Game: Who inspires you in the world of rugby?

Paul Turner: I'm a big fan of the Australian Rugby League. They tend to inspire me as they've got good players, good skills, things that we learnt growing up in the Gwent streets, sidestepping, beating players, all that type of thing.

RYG: So how do you motivate young people to get involved in the sport of rugby?

PT: I think watching the game is crucial. I grew up in the 70s when there was a lot of good club rugby. There was no mini-rugby around in those days, so watching and emulating was always a big thing for me.

There is an opportunity these days for the children to go to our regional games or our European Cup games and then try and practise and emulate what they see. Things that hopefully we've developed as coaching staff/players, they will go away and copy and play for their young sides and develop as rugby players.

RYG: How important is a training plan, and keeping to it?

PT:I didn't grow up with any training plan and lot of it is down to common sense. There are a lot more sport activities that players/children can do these days, but I think keep your diet good, stay away from all the recreational things - drugs and alcohol - that's vitally important for youngsters who come into the professional game.

RYG: And for you, what's the very best thing about rugby today?

PT: Years ago you could watch maybe one game a week, but now the TV coverage is just first-rate, there's actually too many games on at times to watch them all! It helps the up-and-coming young rugby player and young sportsmen and women, there's so many sports to view these days, which can only be good.