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You would think that being an Ulster player would make Andrew Warwick
the most successful sportperson in his family, but his slightly older cousin
Jonathan has just become a world champion.
A fortnight ago Jonathan Rea became FIM World
Superbike Champion at Jerez on his WSBK
Kawasaki bike:
“He’s definitely a lot more famous than me!”
concedes Andrew. “He’s world champion and he
has done so well this season. He has won a lot of
races and been in pole position in many of those.
It’s been pretty impressive by him and there are still
two more races to go.
“When we were young we played in each others
gardens. I was out with his younger brother Richard
and we were riding one of Jonathan’s scramblers.
I tried to hit a jump and I landed on my head!
I decided that was the end of my bike career!
Everyone in the family is really proud of Jonathan,
it’s great to see. The support that he had in Jerez
was unreal.”
Andrew will be looking for similar passionate
support when he runs out against Treviso. It has
been a mixed start for the team but he says the
players are aiming to bounce back after the defeat
to Scarlets in West Wales:
“It has been two weeks since we played. We are
well rested and well prepped for the game on
Friday. We started the PRO12 season really well
with the win over Ospreys. Hopefully the Scarlets
game is just one of those games that we learn
from quickly and move on. It’s great to be back at
Kingspan Stadium with this game against Treviso
and hopefully we will get a big win.
Warwick is fully aware of the challenge that Treviso
pose – especially up front:
He says: “They are a big pack and they like to
scrum a lot longer than other teams so that’s
something we have been preparing for in training.
Their line out is solid – they win most of their own
ball. We hope to get up and nick a few of theirs and
win our own.”
Andrew has started both of Ulster’s games so far –
a run that he is keen to continue:
“It is great to be starting a few games. Hopefully I
can keep competing for that starting space. Callum
(Black) is a great player. My aim is to try my best
and keep in front while I am wearing that 1 jersey.
“Scrums went well me for me last year but my big
aim was to get around the pitch a bit better, maybe
make an odd carry and make all my tackles. This
was my first big pre-season and that has helped
my fitness. I’m more confident and I’m improving
each week.”
If he keeps improving the way he has been,
Jonathan Rea’s position as most famous
sportsperson in the Warwick / Rea family will be
under threat.
ANDREW WARWICK
ANDREWWARWICK:
SPORT & FAME RUNS IN THE FAMILY