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Players

• Stuart Hooper

Skysports.com have launched a new campaign in 2007 to bring the fans closer to their Guinness Premiership stars.

Each month, "Crossing The Gain-Line" will focus on a different player to discuss the issues that matter in English rugby's top flight.

This month, newly-promoted Leeds skipper Stuart Hooper takes time out to speak to us.

Hooper also answered skysports.com's quick-fire question-and-answer session. Click to view his Fifteen-to-One.

In our monthly feature, Hooper discusses Justin Marshall, promotion, and the new ethos being developed at Leeds.

Hooper on promotion to the Premiership:

"I'm over the moon really and really pleased and proud of the whole squad.

"It's a massive achievement. From having seven players left at the end of the year, Stuart Lancaster took charge that day and together we've built it up from there so all credit to everyone involved.

"During the game at Otley we hadn't even thought of getting promoted because Rotherham had been playing well, so we weren't thinking about their result - we were just looking after ourselves.

"We played the game, finished well winning 40-12, and it was only five minutes after the game when some of the fans started phoning people at Rotherham that we realised they'd lost and got no bonus point - so at that point the celebrations began.

"It was a nice touch because the supporters had been fantastic throughout the whole year. They really stood by us and travelled the length and breadth of the country so to have them give us the final word while we were all on the pitch together was a nice touch.

"We had a few 'quiet beers' in celebration after because we didn't have a game the week after, and everyone was very pleased."

Hooper on a tough season

"Having lost the first game of the season at home to London Welsh it was a big wake-up call to everybody. It made us realise what exactly we had to do and to be fair to the boys they stood up.

"We were such a new group of players back then - we barely knew each others' names let alone what we were going to do on a rugby pitch. So it was a steep learning curve and I think that loss made us buck up our ideas and realise what we had to do.

"There's obviously a huge gulf between the first division and the Premiership, but the more that teams become professional in the first division the higher the standard is becoming.

£You've got Exeter, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth, Rotherham, Doncaster, Bedford, all these teams are becoming fully professional and that makes a huge difference. Fitness levels are going up, players' game-understanding is going up and obviously the stakes are rising so the standards are definitely getting closer between the two leagues."

Hooper on next season:

"We've got to continue our good work, as much as we've built the squad this year, and we've built the ethos and culture, we've got to continue doing that in the Premiership.

"It's a tough place to play, little mistakes will be punished but we're confident we can compete, we're confident we can get results.

"We won't be getting carried away though, we'll be taking each game as it comes, looking at the first game and taking it from there."

Hooper on possible signings:

"I'm sure Stuart will be looking at one or two signings - nothing too major though, I think he's already been in the press saying he won't make wholesale changes and I whole-heartedly agree with that.

"You need continuity, you need familiarity between the players so there will be a few additions but nothing too major. "

Hooper on Justin Marshall:

"It's unfair when people blame him for our relegation. We had a lot of world class players in our squad but we just didn't perform.

"I couldn't put it down to one man because the entire squad didn't perform to their best and the harsh reality is if you don't do that you will get relegated.

"I think the difference we have this year is the continuity, the main body of players is going to be the same. This is now our Leeds and we're going to take that forward.

Hooper on 'Tykes to look out for':

"There are some good youngsters to look out for next season.

"Kearnan Myall in the second row alongside me has been outstanding. Chris Jones on the wing.

"There are other guys too - the forgotton man of rugby Rhys Oakley, he's been capped by Wales in the past and he's been exceptional for us this season so look out for him."