RONNIE READY TO ROCKET 
In an exclusive interview with www.rucked.com, Gloucester newby Chris Paterson talks of life at Kingsholm, leaving Edinburgh, the No.10 issue, Frank Hadden and Lesley Vainikolo..
How’s life treating you at Gloucester?
Life at Gloucester is great - I am really enjoying it. It is a challenge I needed and it has gone really well so far.
What made you decide to leave Edinburgh?
The decision to leave had already been taken - and that at the end of my current contract at Edinburgh it would be my last one. We played Gloucester in the Heineken Cup and what really struck me was their style of play, strength in the squad and support. To be involved with a club like Gloucester is fantastic.
With all the kafuffle that went on at Edinburgh over the summer, did you leave at the right time?
As a player, I think you take yourself out of that situation and what is going on around you and simply be as professional as possible. The only thing we could control was how we trained and how we played. I achieved a lot at Edinburgh but I wanted to challenge myself and put myself under more pressure and Gloucester was perfect for that.
How good is this Gloucester side?
Hopefully, we can become the best Gloucester side ever. We have a great squad and are coached well and the support at the club is fantastic. But we have to deal with the responsibility, put ourselves under pressure and push ourselves to get even better.
Had to have Lesley Vainikolo as a tackling partner yet?
Les's debut has already gone down in history at the club and I just want the opportunity to take the field with this guy. He has been a legend in rugby league and I just want to be on the same side as him week in, week out. If that means holding the tackle bag in training, so be it.
How do you assess Scotland’s World Cup?
It's difficult. I thought a minimum requirement was a quarter-final place. The effort and character required is massive and I think that reflects well compared to Ireland and Wales. To reach the quarter-finals was good but to lose out to Argentina the way we played broke me - it was the lowest I have ever felt. It was Scotland's best opportunity to reach a semi-final for a long, long time and we just didn't play. We fell into a trap of trying to be too conservative and we missed out
on the best opportunity we have had. We were absolutely gutted, particularly some of the older players. Had we played like we did for the last 20 minutes for 40 or 50 it may have been different.
Is Frank Hadden the right man to lead Scotland?
I think he is, yeah. I think when the disappointment of the World Cup settles down, I think we can look forward, see we have improved and aim to become more successful.
The No.10 issue always follows you around, was it good to play there for Gloucester the other week?
Absolutely. I grew up playing stand-off, progressed to Scotland A in that position but when I graduated to the full side I went into the back three. I have moved throughout my career and when I was younger it did
get to me. But now, I am just happy to play - wherever it is. I want to give all I can for the team wherever I can and it was great to get a chance there last weekend [against Newcastle].
Which position would you rather play?
It doesn't bother me anymore. As long as I can contribute to the team somehow, I am happy.
Your kicking seems to be better than ever now – what’s the secret?
I do practice hard and you need your own style and confidence. It can be very easy in a game to slightly alter what you have done throughout the week so it is vital to trust what you have been doing in practice, don't do anything different and be confident.
Ulster in the Heineken Cup, what do you make of them?
I’ve played against Ulster 15 or 20 times and I know what a formidable place Ravenhill can be. The pitch is huge and they like to play a quick brand of rugby, they fly up in defence and, when given an opportunity, play a quick game. They are also very physical and it will
be up to us to match that. If we don't do that it is a very hard place to go and win. But I think we will be confident and give it everything.
Was Heineken Cup ambition part of your decision to join Gloucester?
It wasn't just the Heineken Cup but also the Guinness Premiership and EDF Energy Cup. I have come from an environment that was lower on budget but that was also capable of some great one-off results - we beat Toulouse and teams like that. We reached the quarter-final one year but I want a more consistent and regular challenge and I want to be involved on all those stages in my career.
Realistically, when do you see a Scottish side seriously competing in the Heineken Cup?
I think they can compete now. Glasgow have a competitive squad and they aim to play the right way. I think every Scottish club has had the ability to win any one-off match but have not been able to match the consistency of other teams through the competition. Edinburgh will be
competitive also but it may take them a year to bed down to bring out the best in them. I hope they all do well - they are capable of being competitive and playing some good rugby - it would be great to see a side in the
knockout stages of Europe.
To read www.rucked.com’s Q and A with Paterson’s Gloucester team-mate James Forrester, click here…