20 Questions: Tomas O’Leary – London Irish scrum-half

Been anywhere nice on holiday?
Cancun, Mexico, and then Miami with my girlfriend. Cool places to see…we lay on the beach, chilled out and ate a lot of food!
How did you find Miami?
The NBA finals were on, which was massive, so with the Miami Heat playing there was a good buzz. Didn't get to a game but sampled the atmosphere around town.
Does Miami's South Beach life-style appeal?
I doubt it would suit my fair skin but it's not a bad life all right. It's expensive mind and the price of property is crazy, but it would be a fair place to be.
How long have you been back in training?
We got back on June 3 so there wasn't much time off. But it's been good… the lads are training hard, it's been enjoyable and there's a good buzz.
Any unusual training?
We had a camp at Aldershot Army barracks last week. About 35 of us were stuck in a hanger for a week, sharing bunk beds and getting to know the new boys.
Did you get beasted by the Army?
There were a few assault courses and hill runs but it wasn't too bad. There was down-time as well and it was more about team-building and bonding.
How hard has it been watching the Lions after missing out in '09?
You can't regret it because I had a freak injury, but it would have been nice to say I'd done it. But that was four years ago and time flies.
How did you start out in rugby?
I started playing at Christian Brothers College in Cork when I was 13, then played at Dolphin RFC before getting a contract with Munster.
Was rugby your first love?
No. I came from a GAA household and grew up hurling. I had no real desire to play rugby but as I got older the rugby took over.
Who would be your rugby idols?
Joost van der Westhuizen was my favourite scrum-half, then when Munster started to take off you had the likes of Ronan O'Gara who I eventually got to play with.
What was best… Munster's Heineken Cup wins or Ireland's Grand Slam?
You can't really separate them. Winning the Heineken Cup is awesome but then winning the Six Nations was historic, too. Both brought an unbelievable buzz.
How do you chill out?
I enjoy watching TV, having a coffee with the lads and doing a bit of bikram yoga. I'm also trying to get into a bit of script-writing.
Script-writing?
I'm just chancing my arm, seeing if I'm any good. I'd like to write for TV or film and it's something I've been messing around with over the last year or two.
Any interest in your work yet?
I haven't shown it to anyone yet but I've done a little comedy series with TV in mind, then there's a little film I'm starting to write.
What sort of comedy?
I love stuff like The Office and Extras, that kind of reality, cringey stuff. Film-wise, I enjoy a bit of Quentin Tarantino… something with a bit of gore.
Think you could make a go of it?
I've no major ideas of what to do after rugby so I'm just looking at some pastimes to see if they'll get me anywhere. I'm doing some rugby business networking as well.
Most prized possession?
Apart from my girlfriend, Julie, I'd say my All-Ireland hurling medal for Cork is pretty nice. I was 17 at the time and we beat Galway at Croke Park.
Best and worst dressed at Irish?
Best is George Skivington, who tries really hard. Worst is Tommy Homer, who thinks he's a fashion expert but wears some truly horrendous gear.
If you could be another sportsman, who?
Usain Bolt. It would be pretty cool to be the world's fastest man. Watching him at the Olympics was something else.
Hopes for the new season?
To play a lot more rugby after an injury-hit campaign and for Irish to be a bit more competitive.