How does it feel?
It is quite a strange feeling.  I am really delighted to be involved but this is the easy part, just being involved in the squad. The journey will start when I begin to play.   I am really pleased that I can still continue my degree while I am playing. (Darren is studying for a Sports Science degree at Jordanstown).

How is the injury coming along?
I am improving. I hurt my hamstring and have not played for 2 weeks and have another week to go before I can play.

Which teams have you previously played for?
I was at Sullivan Upper School, and played for Ulster and Irish Schools.  I have also played for the Ulster and Ireland U19 and U21 teams.  My club is Belfast Harlequins and I have also played for the Ulster A team.

Who do you look up to most in the senior squad?
David Humphreys

What is it like training with Ulster? Is there much banter amongst the team?
They have all been really welcoming to me.  There is always some banter going on, Justin Fitzpatrick is the worst, always bantering away. If he and Kevin Maggs get started you just try and keep your head down so they don’t notice you and start taking the mick!

What are the main differences in training with and playing for your Club, Ulster Academy and Ulster?
Training with the Academy was a step up from playing and training with Belfast Harlequins, it is physically more demanding and the standards are higher, more is expected of you. It is a bigger step up again from Academy to Ulster, but I am really enjoying it.

What do you think of the Magners League this year? Who would you put your money on to win?
Is it too corny to say Ulster? I really do think we have a good chance.  We have a great squad and want to build on the successes from last year. The league is getting better each year, more competitive and exciting.

What do you think of Ulster’s Pool in the Heineken Cup?
It is a really tough pool, but there are no easy pools in the Heineken Cup and if we are going to progress in the tournament we need to be able to beat these teams from day one.

In world rugby who do you admire the most, and who would be your most feared opponent?
As far as centres go, I really admire Brian O’Driscoll, and overall my most admired player would be Jonah Lomu. My rugby hero when I was growing up was Christian Cullen. The poor guy has been so unlucky since he joined Munster, it is such a shame he has had so many injuries, we were all really looking forward to seeing what he was capable of doing with Munster. Jerry Collins would be my most feared opponent.  Outside of rugby, I really admire golfer Darren Clarke.

What was the best game you have ever played in?
Belfast Harlequins v Ballymena (21v20) at Deramore January 2006.

What was the best game of rugby you have ever watched?
Ulster v Leicester at Ravenhill in January 2004

What CDs are playing in your car at the moment?
Snow Patrol and Jack Johnson

What was the last movie you went to see at the cinema?
Adrift

Favourite food/favourite restaurant?
Pizza, BBQ Chicken from 4 Star Pizza/ AM:PM in Botanic.

Who has been your biggest Influence outside of rugby?
My parents and my older brother Stuart.

What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I would drive Matt McCullough’s car around for a day. (Darren lives with Matt!)

What is your schedule on a typical week?
I do three hours pitch training on Monday and Tuesday mornings, with weights on both afternoons.  I am at my University lectures on Monday afternoon, Wednesday and Friday mornings and all day Thursday, with training at Belfast Harlequins on Thursday evenings.

Finally, who would be in your ALL STAR 15?
15 Christian Cullen; 14 David Campese; 13 Brian O'Driscoll; 12 Mike Gibson
11 Jonah Lomu; 10 Dan Carter; 9 Gareth Edwards; 1 Os du Randt; 2 Sean Fitzpatrick; 3 Sylvian Marconnet; 4 Victor Matfield; 5 Paul O'Connell; 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon; 7 Richie McCaw; 8 Toutai Kefu

Thanks for that Darren, good luck for this season!