A LOT OF players find the transitioning phase from the professional game to ‘the real world’ challenging, and understandably so. For me, however, by the time I was 30 I felt more than ready to put the financial planning qualifications I’d gained to good use.
I’d come to the stage in my career, despite being relatively young to retire, where it was time to put my family front and centre of my life. Uprooting them again to move to another club just didn’t seem the right thing to do, plus I’d grown frustrated with my rugby career not moving forward as I’d have liked.
It was time to take control of my own future, not rely on the decision of a coach as to whether they wanted me or not.
Despite the frustration, I count myself very lucky to have played just over 200 first-class games at three great clubs in Gloucester, Exeter – effectively my home town team – and finally Harlequins, as well as learning so much and making so many friends from the game.
The dressing room banter is definitely something that makes me smile when I look back on the 12 years I had as a pro. Andy Hazell and Will James were always a good combination to have in the changing room at Gloucester, and I liked changing next to Don Armand at Exeter. He was neat and tidy and, being big, he always managed to intercept balls flying towards my head in the endless games of changing room cricket we’d have.
Denne historien er fra April 26, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 26, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
