In the latest instalment of our Tap and Go series, we catch up with London Wasps’ rising young star Dominic Waldouck to discuss the 20-year-old’s impressive form this term, embarrassing childhood television appearances and mum-related insults.

Hi Dom… You’ve made quite an impact with Wasps this season. You must be pleased with your form?

I got quite a bad injury (severed tendon in his hand) at the beginning of the season which put me out for a while but since I’ve come back I’ve been really happy with my form. I came back and played a few games on the wing and I’ve spent the last five or six games at centre and that has been really good and I’m enjoying myself. I’m quite happy with my form at the moment.

And for you as a young player, Wasps must be a pretty good place to be?

Yeah, last year they weren’t scared to give the youngsters a go and me and Danny (Cipriani) both got a good run in the team. In terms of them letting young players play, it’s a great place to be.

Have you been able to learn from the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Ian McGeechan and Shaun Edwards?

Guys like Lawrence have been there and done everything and there’s obviously a great deal you can learn from a player like that. And from a coaching point of view, Shaun is a great coach who you can learn so much from. He was a brilliant player and he brings so much energy and knowledge to the training pitch, as does Geechs.

Now you guys are coming up on the rails, is there a genuine belief you can make the playoffs?

We have set our stall out to make the playoffs. That’s where we want to be because we’re a club that needs to win things. When we went out of the Heineken Cup, we said we wanted to win the Premiership this year and the top four is where we’re aiming. It’s going to be quite tough and we’re probably going to have to win all our games going in, but that’s what we’re going for.

That’s a hard task but at least it’s clear what you have to do each week.

Wasps is a club that reacts well to pressure. We have put pressure on ourselves to win all our remaining games and from that our performances are coming together and we’re producing the wins. Knowing exactly what we’ve got to do each week certainly helps us.

Moving away from rugby for a second, you were a decent footballer in your youth, right?

I used to be. I was approached to play for Chelsea but the scout asked me if I played any other sports and when I said I played rugby he told me that would have to stop. At that point, I took it easy on the football front because I wanted to continue with my rugby. I still played football at school but not at a serious level.

Any regrets?

Well, looking at what those boys earn, it would be nice to have that kind of money (laughs). But I’m really happy with the decision I made and I’m having a great time playing rugby and playing for Wasps.

Is it true you displayed your fitness on GMTV before you flirted with a career in football or rugby?

(Laughs nervously as if he has just been found out)… That was my introduction to television – I was on GMTV at the age of nine. I did a little thing with Mr Motivator, which was quite amusing. It was basically an aerobic routine for housewives and my school got chosen to help out in it. A few of us went down and helped Mr Motivator go through the exercises.

As embarrassing pasts go, it’s probably not as bad as Lawrence Dallaglio’s days as a choir boy.

I’m quite proud of my Mr Motivator appearance, actually.

Erm, okay then. Going back to the rugby, did you surprise yourself at how quickly you settled into the first XV at Wasps?

I think the fact we all train together at Wasps and have quite a team atmosphere, it means you are thrown in at the deep end as a youngster. I’ve been around the set-up playing for the second team since I was 17 so it wasn’t too alien to be playing first team rugby. But I’m really glad they gave me the opportunity and, having taken that chance, I’m glad they’ve stuck with me. I’m not so surprised how I reacted to it.

What’s the best thing about being a professional rugby player?

Probably lazy afternoons at home. And running out for the big games in front of a big crowd and putting in good performances. You always try to better yourself as a player and it’s rewarding when things come off.

Is there anything you hate about rugby and would like to put in a rugby Room 101?

Tackle Club this morning at 8:00 a.m. wasn’t too pleasant. That is probably the worst thing I’ve done recently.

What does Tackle Club involve?

It just involves tackling.

So it does exactly what it says on the tin?

Absolutely. And 8:00 a.m. is not a great hour to be doing it but I know it has to be done. But that is the worst thing about professional rugby.

If International Rugby News could send you anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would probably go somewhere warm like the Caribbean. Or possibly Thailand as I have a few friends over there and it would be good to catch up with them.

Do you have any nicknames?

Nicknames? Not really. I get called Dom or Waldo, nothing too creative.

Who is the biggest joker in Wasps’ dressing room?

That would have to be Chris Bishay. He’s always keen on a little prank or something.

Have you witnessed some good pranks?

In our changing room at the moment the phantom shoe-lace nicker is doing the rounds. You come in from training and find the laces from your shoes gone and there is some general hiding of kit going on right now. Nothing too serious but just some friendly banter.

Any idea who the guilty party might be?

I’m pretty sure it’s Bishay but I can’t pin him down at the moment. I need some hard evidence before I can start accusing him.

International Rugby News is throwing you an exclusive dinner party. You have room for three guests – who will they be?

I would get along Harry Enfield because I think he’s hilarious. I would like to meet David Beckham because he’s always been an idol of mine. And then I would get Sienna Miller down as well so we can finally get things moving and I can propose to her.

So you’ll leave Beckham and Harry Enfield chatting in one corner and move in on Sienna?

Yeah, I think those guys would be interesting to talk to and Harry could provide some entertainment. And then when it gets a bit later in the evening I can start chatting to Sienna.

If International Rugby News was buying you a post-match drink, what would it be?

Definitely a Magners (sponsors of Wasps). It would have to be wouldn’t it?

Do you have any superstitions or pre-match routines you have to go through each week?

I always wear the same pants but I do clean them after each game.

That’s reassuring. Who would you say is the best rugby player in the world?

I would have to say Dan Carter at this time. When Tana Umaga was playing, I was a huge fan of his at centre. He had a really good balance between power and skill play, which is exactly what you’re looking for at centre. But Carter is my favourite player at the moment.

Take us into what goes on during a game. Is there a lot of trash-talking back and forth?

Sometimes if your opposite number thinks he can get the better of you by giving it a bit of chat, he certainly will do. But I find it quite funny when a player tries to give me some stick. I don’t really give it out myself because if you give it out and then get done by that player, it can be a bit embarrassing. If somebody gives it to me it gives me an extra incentive to run around him and make him look a bit silly.

What kind of stuff is said?

They might chat about your mum. Or they’ll tell you you’re looking soft and remind you that you just missed a tackle. Or they might get physical and rub your head in the dirt when you’re on the ground.

Mums are always an easy target in trash-talking then?

Your mum has always been a target since you were about 10 years old and it doesn’t end when you grow up, unfortunately.

Okay, let’s end on a confident note. Name the year in which Dominic Waldouck makes his full England debut?

At the beginning of this season, I would have said 2008 but injury may have pushed that back a little bit. It’s tough to put a year on it. I’m really happy with my form and who knows what could happen? I feel really good and confident about the way things are going. Looking at the way England are playing, I don’t think anyone is a million miles away – I think you have to believe in yourself and your own ability and then good things will happen. I can’t really put a date on it but I would say pretty soon.