Science for me is a language of peace and the only one I know which is absolutely international. I can talk to a UK scientist or any scientist worldwide about my research and they understand exactly what I am talking about. We may even find an area of mutual interest to collaborate on and together we can make an even greater impact on the world around us.

Today I was reading the latest issue of Nature, and somebody had written an editorial that said scientists should be basically directing their work to the service of society by making the discoveries that are relevant. The problem is I don’t know what’s relevant!

There is an awful lot of pious theatre at the moment, where you go to have what you already believed reinforced.

when someone has caused harm, harming them might not be the move.

I would not get married until I was in my 30s.

As a kid I used to fantasize about being Clayton Moore, the masked hero in The Lone Ranger. I’m much too old to play him now – I’d have to be the baddie who he kills – although I do have a horse as King Arthur, well someone clopping along behind me with a pair of coconuts.

Losing one of my children.

Retiring from playing rugby.

To never, never, never give up.

Getting the job is the work. Playing the character, you’d do it for nothing. It’s fun.