With the Six Nations in full swing, we caught up with Chelsea fans Ollie Lawrence, Nick Isiekwe and Chandler Cunningham-South as the England internationals visited the Dugout Club at Stamford Bridge for our Premier League clash against Leeds United.
The rugby union stars sat behind the Blues' dugout, just a few feet away from Liam Rosenior and the Chelsea substitutes, for the Leeds clash on February 10. And after the game, they went pitchside and caught up with our two goalscorers on the night, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, and Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo.
It was then our turn to put a few questions to the England trio, before they posed for photographs in front of the Stamford Bridge East Stand...
It's been great to have you at Stamford Bridge – and we hope you enjoyed your Dugout Club experience! Explain to us what Chelsea means to each of you?
Ollie: For me, it’s history. We have won so many trophies and are the only team to have won it all! The history itself speaks a lot.
Nick: Simply, it’s my childhood.
Chandler: Sensational. That’s what Chelsea Football Club is.
Obviously, we all have our favourite players, either as children or in the present day. Who was it for you?
Ollie Lawrence: Didier Drogba is up there for me. He’s one of the GOATs (Greatest Of All Time) and some of my earliest memories are of Drogba playing for Chelsea. I loved it when Eden Hazard was here, too. They were both incredible.
Nick Isiekwe: Similar for me. My favourite growing up was Drogba as well. Every big game, the guy showed up and scored for us, especially against Arsenal! So, Drogba, Lamps (Frank Lampard), (John) Terry – all the greats.
Chandler Cunningham-South: I like Cole (Palmer). He’s the guy. I even did his ‘cold’ celebration against Australia!
We've had many great moments and matches down the years, and lifted several trophies! But is there a particular Chelsea memory that sticks out in your mind?
Ollie: For me, it’s the 2012 Champions League final. Drogba’s header – wow!
Nick: One of my favourite childhood memories ever was when we played Fenerbahce around 2008. My dad brought me to the Bridge and that was the first time I saw Drogba live. I was gassed!
We've got a great squad of players, but in your opinion, Ollie, who would make the best rugby player?
Ollie: I’d say Reece (James). He’s a big man. Most wingers that play against him say he’s one of the toughest to go against. I could put him on the wing or in the centre – he’d hustle and work for me!
We didn't get the result we wanted [against Leeds], but talk us through your experience of watching the game from the Dugout Club, which gets you closer to Liam Rosenior and the players during the game?
Ollie: It was class. I couldn’t have asked for much more for my first time. I’ve supported Chelsea since I was a kid, but just haven’t had the chance to come down to games. It was unbelievable. To sit in the Dugout Club, close to the gaffer and witness it all was class.
Even before the game, walking in, having food, and coming through here and being behind the bench, you get to hear what’s going on and the passion that the manager has – it’s amazing.
Nick: What I didn’t realise was the amount of talking between the manager and the players. We don’t have that, as rugby players. When you watch it on TV, sometimes you miss that, so to be up close was great. The atmosphere and the closeness of the pitch, it all feels like it’s on top of you – that’s unique to football.
Chandler: The atmosphere was great. It’s non-stop. I love it. It’s just noisy the whole game. The away crowd over there is giving it back too, it’s great. We don’t have that as much in rugby!