Bryan Young made his début with Ulster in April 2002 against Connacht and has continued to be a regular starter for the squad ever since, with over 100 Ulster caps to his name. Affectionately known by his team mates as ‘The Bear’, Bryan has also been involved with the Ireland squad. Taking time out from his busy schedule, he talks to the FRU about his season to date, the Dairy Council and how he came to be known as ‘The Bear’.
What was the mood around camp after your match on Sunday, with it being your first loss of the season?
It was disappointing for us to come away with a loss and we were disappointed in our performance the second half. When you play at such a high level, like European rugby, you need to be clinical in your performance – in the first half of the game we controlled the ball and our discipline was very good. In the second half, we conceded a few points so Biarritz stepped up their intensity. We made a few small errors and didn’t put enough pressure on the opposition, so we were frustrated to concede the points we did.
We have had a really good start to the season, but we haven’t performed to the best we can and given an excellent 80-minute performance, to be able to show the opposition the threat we pose.
Sunday was the first 40 minutes where we underperformed, but we need to put it behind us and focus on Edinburgh now, who are also a tough team to play against.
You face Edinburgh at Murrayfield this weekend, your second back-to-back away fixture. How have you been preparing for the game?
This week has been different for us as we played on Sunday and are playing this Friday again, so it’s been a short week. We’ve just made sure that everyone who faced Biarritz is fully recovered and fit, as well as our usual training routine. This match against Edinburgh is a big game for us – we have lost for the first time this season, and it’s not a nice feeling to have. We don’t want to come away with another loss this weekend and Edinburgh are a dangerous team, so it’s going to be a very physical and mental challenge for us.
How do you feel your own season has gone so far? Have you been happy with the way you have played?
I’ve been involved and played a large portion of the matches, and I think my season has gone okay so far. I’m happy with how I have performed, but I can always get better and work hard on my game.
And how do think the squad as a whole has performed?
We have a very healthy squad this season and it’s really good to be a part of it. Everyone is working hard and from a selection point of view, no-one is safe as no-one guaranteed a starting spot. It’s good though because it keep us all on our toes and you are totally focused on your training – you constantly have to remind yourself that you need to perform to stay in the team.
Scrum time is a topic which is being greatly discussed by players and supporters alike at the minute. What are your thoughts on the current rules surrounding the scrum?
It’s tricky, but I think it depends on the referee. Some referees like scrums, whereas others would prefer if there were none in the game. As a team, we have had a strong scrum the past few seasons and I think a lot of the sides we face recognise this, which means they might have a plan to try and negate that threat from us. It does vary for each match, because of the referees so you need to be able to deal with whatever the opposition throws at you.
Why do you think so many penalties are given at scrum time and they have to be reset; is it because the referees aren’t sure how to referee the scrum? Would you prefer to be allowed to get on with it?
I think so. It’s down to the each referees’ interpretation, but I would like it to be the way the scrums were carried out a few years ago; where you just set up, hit your opposition and if you’re dominant, you’re dominant. If not, you’re not and you need to keep fighting. Front rowers can be tricky enough customers to deal with at times!
This season, there have been occasions in the scrum where you have done everything right, yet you are penalised by the referee?
It’s frustrating. When the two teams engage, and the whistle goes, I’ll think it’s against me but it’s actually against the other team. On the other hand, there have been times when I’m positive I’m in the right, yet the referee has gone against me. Unfortunately there are no ex-front rowers refereeing, as I think it would be good and would help the game. It can have an impact on me, going forward as a player as well, as I can be penalised which gives the opposition a chance to kick down field, so it can be damaging to the team.
Away from rugby, you’re currently involved with promotional work for the Dairy Council. How did you become involved and what is the message from the initiative?
Ryan Constable actually organised it – he was looking someone who had an interest in the area, and as my parents are dairy farmers and I have an interest in farming, I agreed to get involved. We are trying to get kids to drink more milk, rather than fizzy drinks. [You can visit the Milk It For All It’s Worth website here.]
You are affectionately known as ‘The Bear’ from your team mates. Where did the nickname originate?
The nickname has just evolved over time. It started when I was played for the Irish U21s. We were relaxing in the hotel one morning and when we met up for lunch, one of the guys asked if I was watching the television. I said yes, and he starting telling me “There was this programme on earlier – Bear in the Big Blue House” and he said, “That’s you! You’re the Bear in the Big Blue House!” and it’s stuck ever since.
Are there any aspects of your personality that are ‘bear like’?
Paws? I have big paws. I’m more like one of those smaller black bears, where if you’re nice to it and give it treats, it’ll be nice to you! Apart from that, I’m also pretty good at hugs.
Corrections, comments or questions?