AS an eager teenager learning the game in the shadows of Twickenham, Tim Collier could hardly have asked for a better rugby education.

From All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke to ex-England captain Will Carling, and Ireland hero Keith Wood to iconic prop forward Jason Leonard, there were stellar names at every turn as he cut his teeth with Harlequins.

Having regularly rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s elite, Collier was schooled by the best. Now more than a decade on, Bournemouth Lions are the main beneficiaries. As player-coach at the Chapel Gate club, Collier is utilising his wealth of experience to help the promotion-chasing Dorset outfit.

“I learned a lot from Zinzan,” recalled Collier, as he took a trip down memory lane in an interview with the Daily Echo this week.

“Back in 1998, he was a massive icon and every time I appeared in a starting line-up for Harlequins, that was what motivated me – the icons. They surrounded me.

“Keith Wood was playing for Ireland, Jason Leonard was playing for England and Will Carling had just finished playing for England and he was a massive icon in English rugby.

“It was a great experience and great honour to play around those kind of players.

“I was 19 or 20 and looked up to these people. I had seen them for five or six years, or even longer, on telly, then all of a sudden I was playing with them. That gives you a lot of motivation and determination to perform.”

Now 34 and living in Poole, the former Premiership player is enjoying his change of scenery at Bournemouth Rugby Club. Chapel Gate is a far cry from The Stoop, but Collier’s appetite for the sport remains.

Fully 15 years after he turned professional with Harlequins, the ex-England under-21s, Worcester Warriors and London Welsh lock is relishing his challenge as forwards coach with the National Three South West league leaders.

And it is not just on the training pitch and touchline that the powerhouse second row is having an influence.

In Collier, Bournemouth could well have unearthed a major asset for the crucial second half of the season.

At 6ft 7ins and around 21 stones, he is never going to be a secret weapon. But knowing about him is one thing and stopping him is another.

Pressed into action due to injuries, the veteran was an instant hit on his first start of the campaign on Saturday, scoring a fourth-minute try to set table-topping Lions on the way to victory at Old Redcliffians.

Director of rugby David Dunn is keen to utilise Collier’s playing skills more regularly but he expects no favours.

“It doesn’t matter where I have played or what I have done in my rugby career, you have got to earn a place in the team,” said Collier. “I am very busy work-wise and trying to build a house, so I can’t dedicate too much time to my fitness.

“We try to run the side as near to professional as we can with the resources we have. The boys appreciate the professionalism we put into the squad and it is not very professional if you walk straight into a team without earning it.”

Collier added: “I still have that desire. I didn’t ever intend to go into coaching because I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, but I do enjoy it and I get great pleasure out of seeing the boys perform, and they are a great group of boys.

“Hopefully, we will get promotion this year and, next season, I would definitely put on my boots more regularly for National League rugby.

“I think, then, I could bring a lot to the party with experience on the pitch and in controlling the game a little bit more.”

If there is no substitute for experience, Bournemouth would be foolish not to hold him to his word.