20 Questions: Nathan Earle – Saracens wing

How are you settling at London Scottish?
Very well thanks! I've been here more or less a month now and I'm very happy to be getting some game time.
What are the reasons for the move?
Because there is no LV=Cup this season, it's tough for youngsters to get game time in the Premiership or Champions Cup. That's why coming to Scottish on loan was a good idea for me.
How are you finding the Championship?
It's a great league. The main thing for me is to get involved as much as I can and getting used to playing again. I spent the entire season out injured last year so it's about getting used to the hits again.
What happened last season?
I ruptured my Achilles playing for Bedford in the my first game. It was far from ideal! I was keen to kick on after winning the Junior World Cup with England U20s in New Zealand.
Was it tougher mentally or physically?
Probably mentally because I was seeing my England teammates like Maro Itoje playing unbelievably well. It was hard because I thought I could be in that same position. But that's how the cookie crumble sometimes.
Did the injury slow you down?
No, I'm actually quicker! I spent five months without running but once I could the rehabilitation went a lot better. I don't really my time over 40 metres but I definitely quicker. So there's a silver lining to every cloud I guess.
How did you get faster?
I was just a fast kid before but I've been working hard on my conditioning while I was injured and I'm a lot stronger now. Hopefully it'll carry on.
Biggest thing you've learnt in the Championship?
There's a big step up in terms of physically. I had played in National League One but you have to take and put bigger hits in this league. You have to be prepared for that.
Target for the rest of the season?
I want to get my Premiership debut with Saracens. I hope I'll do well with Scottish to show the coaches at Sarries I'm ready to go. It's a long season with very little rest so I hope the senior boys will need a rest at some point.
Been at Sarries all your life?
I joined when I was 14 and went through the whole system there. Hopefully I can stay at the club for a lot longer.
Are the praises the Saracens academy gets deserved?
Very much so! The coaches have put a lot of emphasis on producing youngsters for many years and we're seeing the results now with Jamie George and George Kruis captaining the team sometimes and other lads like Jackson Wray or Maro getting plenty of game time.
What's so good about it?
The coaches there are great and the senior coaches understand how important it is to have youngsters coming through. The club has a lot of young players in the senior squad now and there's not afraid of playing them either.
Will Maro Itoje be an England international?
Definitely! I fully expect him to play Test rugby for England this season.
Can you catch him up?
I hope so. He's gone a year ahead but hopefully I'll get a chance to play for Sarries this season. Then it'll be up to me to take it.
Have you always played rugby?
Yes, it's always been my No.1 sport. I've tried different things at school but I always came back to rugby.
If not rugby, what would you be doing?
Not a lot. I'd have probably gone to University and drink more beer than spend time studying.
Favourite cheat meal?
You try to eat as well as possible to keep your weight down but there's always room for a treat. I wish I could have McDonalds more often.
Three special dinner guests?
Basketball star LeBron James and actors Will Smith and Emma Watson.
Best and worst banter at Sarries?
Nick Tompkins or Chris Ashton are the worst but best would be Jim Hamilton.
Best and worst dressed?
Nick gets the worse again while I'll give the best to Maro Itoje.