In the latest instalment of our Tap and Go series we catch up with Harlequins rising star Jordan Turner-Hall to discuss why rugby players are tougher than their NFL counterparts, the successful England Under-20s squad and a dream dinner date with Cheryl Tweedy.

Hi Jordan… We understand you’ve had some injury woes – how’s the recovery going?

I had an awkward fall on my hip about four weeks ago but I’ve come back and played against Bristol last weekend. Physically, I feel like I’m back to 100 per cent. I just need to get used to playing again because that is a bit difficult. Hopefully, I will get better week by week.

As we look at the Guinness Premiership, Harlequins are in the thick of an exciting race for the playoffs.

Definitely. We were underdogs at the beginning of the season but we came through some tough matches and that has built character among the squad. You’re now starting to see the best of Harlequins.

Are you pleased with your progress at the senior level?

I haven’t had the season I was looking for but we still have a few games left and I’ll be keen to go out and show people what I can do.

If we look internationally for a moment, England Under-20s had a great Six Nations and are in good form going into the World Championship in Wales in June.

We have a great team with a lot of depth. We’ve still got a couple of guys playing in the Premiership who have yet to join the camp so it will be good to see how they fit into the squad and there is going to be real competition for places. I don’t want to call it too early, but I think we have great depth and haven’t come close to fulfilling our potential yet so there is a great feeling among the team. If we get a couple of weeks of good training under our belts, we have a good shout of winning the tournament, especially with the group we’ve got. It’s definitely exciting times and it will be good to see how it goes.”

Tap and Go likes to delve into a player’s murky past and we understand you played a bit of American football before turning to rugby?

When I was younger I played a little bit. It is an awesome sport and it did help me when I first started. I was a running back for the Sussex Thunder and I was also in the Great Britain squad. It helped me with my evasion skills but in American football I was only on offense whereas rugby calls for you to attack and defend. So there are still areas of my game I needed to work on coming from American football and I still need to work on them now.

Which sport is tougher?

Definitely rugby.

(Tap and Go wipes away a proud tear and puffs out chest in a manly fashion) Good man, Jordan… What’s the best thing about being a professional rugby player?

Getting to socialise with all the boys is good because there is always a lot of banter flying around. It’s just great to be a part of a team and work together towards goals like winning the Premiership. Plus we only have to work a couple of hours a day and I’m grateful for that.

And the worst thing?

Training in the rain.

If we gave you a time machine and you could travel back to any sports event in the world, where would you go?

I would have to say the State of Origin Rugby League series between New South Wales and Queensland. Some of those old school games where the teams used to fight all the time and it all kicked off, that would be great, to be honest.

Have you got any nicknames?

Erm, yes I’ve got many but I don’t think I want to put them out there.

Not even one?

(lengthy deliberation with lots of umming and aahing ensues)… Probably Jordy. That’s what people usually call me.

A very safe choice… We love a good laugh at someone else’s expense here at Tap and Go. What are the best dressing room pranks and wind-ups going on at Harlequins at the moment?

There are always people hiding kit and swapping kit in our changing room. There are also a lot of look-a-like pictures posted on the walls of our dressing room at Harlequins. They’re always very entertaining.

Who is the biggest dressing room prankster at Quins?

I would have to say Ugo Monye. He doesn’t just give it out though, he gets his fair share of stick thrown back at him.

Who are your favourite rugby players past and present?

Of all time, I would have to say Jonah Lomu. In the Premiership today I would say Luke McAllister – he is the main player I look up to due to his blend of skills and physicality.

Take Tap and Go into the thick of the action for a moment… are there players in the Premiership who really wind you up?

Not specifically. At the end of the day, it is a contact sport and we try to leave everything on the pitch. I’ve never gone into a game thinking ‘I’m going to get this person,’ because it usually doesn’t happen nine times out of ten. I’m a great believer that what goes around, comes around.

If you could host a fantasy dinner party and invite three guests from any walk of life, who would they be?

Muhammad Ali, Ian Wright and Lee Evans because he’s funny.

Wow, you wouldn’t get a word in edgeways. What are your favourite other sports?

I like rugby league, American football and football. I’m really into Arsenal.

If Tap and Go was buying you a post-match drink, what would it be?

A Jack Daniels and coke. Can I change my dinner guests? Instead of Lee Evans could I please have Cheryl Tweedy?

Every player does this and puts a bit of eye candy in after giving it more thought. We’re not sure Ashley Cole will be too happy though.

He’s out of the mix now, isn’t he?

Do you have any superstitions or a pre-match routine?

No, I’m actually quite old school. I just turn up and get on with it. You can get into superstitions and routines and if things go wrong you can end up thinking, ‘What am I going to do now?’ so I prefer to keep it simple.

Do up and coming Guinness Premiership players like yourself get much attention from fans?

Not really. David Strettle and Danny Care take the limelight at Harlequins and that’s quite nice. I’m in the pack with the rest of the guys and that’s fine with me.

Let’s end on a confident note… when will Jordan Turner-Hall make his full England debut?

There is a long way to go. I’ve still got to contribute to the Under-20s and I need to get a few more Premiership campaigns under my belt. But I would hope to be in the England team by the time I’m 25.