Making the move to Munster from the French Top 14, we chat with scrum half James Hart as he settles into his new training environment at the High Performance Centre in UL.
A native of Dublin, Hart is no stranger to the Irish rugby scene having played schools rugby with Belvedere College and club rugby with Clontarf before accepting a trial invitation from Grenoble in 2011. Earning a place in their academy, there he would remain for the next five seasons working his way into the senior side and making over 60 appearances, some of which were alongside his fellow Munster recruit Chris Farrell.
No stranger to the kicking tee, Hart scored a total of 274 points for Grenoble before making the move to Ronan O’Gara’s Racing 92 last season. Playing and training alongside Dan Carter and an understudy to French international scrum half Maxime Machenaud, the Parisian outfit proved a great learning ground for the 25-year-old who made 19 appearances and scored over 60 points for Racing. He also got a taste of what to expect from Thomond Park on matchday having been included in Racing’s matchday 23 for both Champions Cup encounters against Munster last January.
Preseason 2017 saw Hart commence a two-year deal with the province.
Name: James Hart
Favourite Food: Lasagne
Book you are currently reading or have just finished: Golf is not a game of perfect by Dr Bob Rotella
Favourite TV programme: The Inbetweeners or Modern Family
Favourite Film: Man on Fire
Favourite Actor/Actress: Denzel Washington
Most enjoyable holiday location: New York
Favourite sport other than rugby: Golf or tennis
The sport you least like: Water polo
Sportsperson you admire most: Roger Federer
Hobbies: Any outdoor activities
Where and when did you first play rugby: Clontarf aged 10
Best career advice you were given: Work hard and don’t give up
Biggest influence on your career: Mario O’Kelly, Clontarf
What you like most/least about being a rugby player: Love the matches and the feeling after a good win but dislike drinking protein shakes
Other sports that you played: Soccer
Best rugby memory: Playing for Clontarf U20s
Rugby player you admire most: Jonny Wilkinson
Rugby team you admire most: All Blacks
Sporting event you would most like to attend: The Masters golf
Three people you would invite to dinner: Denzel Washington, Roger Federer and the Queen of England!!
If you weren’t a rugby player what would you be: P.E teacher
Place in the province you most like to chill out: Dingle
