It was almost by default that prop forward Micky Ward took up the game of rugby, which eventually saw him rise to the professional ranks.

Born and raised in Wallsend, he attended Burnside Community High School there, and in his typically self-deprecating style of humour says: “I was too fat and unskilful to play any of the sports they did there, so I tried rugby.”

From there the seed was sewn as he joined his local club, Wallsend RFC, where he is still a keen supporter and attends every game when Falcons commitments allow.

It was while delivering bottles of pop on his regular round at the age of 17 when the call came from the Falcons, who were interested in bringing him into their academy.
Ward achieved England Under-21 honours, and having broken through to the Falcons first team racked up more than a century of league appearances.

England recognition followed as he toured with the Churchill Cup squad in 2004 to Canada, while he also appeared in May 2005 against the Barbarians, although an injury picked up in that game denied him the chance to go on a second Churchill Cup trip, having initially been selected. The second Canadian tour finally did come, however, in 2006 when his consistent performances at club level merited England Saxons selection yet again.

With the ability to play both sides of the scrum, Ward is a Geordie through and through, and remains a firm favourite on the Kingston Park terraces.

School/university: Burnside, Wallsend

Previous clubs: Wallsend

Nicknames: Wardy

Favourite TV show: Phoenix Nights, My Name Is Earl, 8 Out Of 10 Cats

Favourite film: Good Will Hunting

Favourite music: Anything but classical

Favourite book: The Face

Favourite food: Sausage and Mash

Most like to meet: Mike Tyson

Least like to meet: Graham Norton

Best moment in rugby: Winning the Tetley’s Bitter Cup with the Falcons

Best moment outside of rugby: When my baby Lola was born

Favourite place to visit: Magaluf

Team-mate least like to share a room with and why: Anybody who snores

I love: Family

I hate: Slackers, people who look down their nose at others