EXCLUSIVE Interview with Matty English (Saturday 30th April 2022)

 Hello and welcome back to my blog. It has been a while but I have another big interview today to return with- Huddersfield Giants prop forward Matty English. English, who is aptly nicknamed the "polar bear", made his debut for the England Knights in 2019. Matty also represented England at academy level, when they toured Australia. He is one of the best products ever of Huddersfield's youth system playing over 70 games for Huddersfield since his debut in 2017. The 24 year old Englishman has also played 5 games on loan for the Dewsbury Rams. In September of last year, he signed a new deal with his hometown club, extending his stay at the club until the end of the 2023 season. I recently sat down with him to ask him a few questions.

I think it's fair to say Huddersfield are exceeding expectations this year. What do you put that down to and is there more pressure as a result?

I think we would put it down to how hard we worked in the preseason as a group. There really were some tough days but it only brought us closer as a group. I also think the experienced players, the likes of Hilly and Theo, that Watto and the club have brought in this year are really helping us find some good performances.

Ian Watson has revolutionised Huddersfield. What is it about him and his style that has given the team a new lease of life?

Watto set out his expectations of us as players from the very first day he came to the club. He demands 100% from all of us and in turn gives 100% to the team's success. I don't think I've ever had a coach that goes into so much detail on the game and it's something I think has really has helped my game. He has then given us a platform of how he wants us to play that can be adapted week on week, but also some freedom to take opportunities when they arise and to play what we see.

You've made it to the Challenge Cup Semi Final. It's the first semi Huddersfield have reached since 2012, so will that change the way you go about the game and do you feel there is increased pressure as a result?

We are all very excited as a squad for the Semi Final but we know it's just going to be another game. Hull KR are a very strong team and we know we will have to be at our best to get the result. Again, it is something that we set out way back in pre-season that we want to be playing in big games, so I don't think there is any increased pressure or anything. 

Obviously you have played for England Knights. What was your first call up like and how did it make you feel?

I was absolutely buzzing to get the call up for the Knights squad. It is always an honour to get the opportunity to be in an England squad and to sing the national anthem with some great players. 

Finally, you've got the nickname 'The Polar Bear'. How did that come about?

I'm not really sure where the polar bear nickname started but it seems to have stuck with me. I think there is definitely worse nicknames to be had so I actually don't mind it.

There we go then, that is the interview with 'the polar bear'. Thanks to Matty and I hope you enjoyed reading it. The next blog post will be an interview with Super League stalwart and ex-NRL player Weller Hauraki. That will be out very soon, possibly as early as tomorrow (Sunday 1st May). Thank you again for Matty for doing the interview and thanks to you for reading. Have a great day and I hope to see you in the next blog post. Until next time though, bye!