Finn Russell wants to quit rugby for left field career when he retires from the game
12/05/2024 11:58 AM
Sometimes we should take time to appreciate those International rugby stars who plied their trade elsewhere before hitting the jackpot in the game we all love.
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In an era where you only make it if you dedicate your life to it, it's rare to find players who just months prior to their professional career were grinding the 9-5.
With that in mind, here are five international rugby stars who worked hard before making it big…
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#1.Finn Russell (Scotland) – Stonemason
After secondary school, the Scotland star pursued an apprenticeship for three years as a stonemason, in a business owned by a family friend, whilst his rugby developed.
Pocketing £300 per week, supplemented by £50 in his hand from Falkirk Rugby Club, Russell is now one of the pre-eminent stand-offs in world rugby and certainly one of the most exciting.
“On rainy days it could be pretty miserable. . . . It could be tough but I enjoyed it,” said Russell.
“I'd be making windowsills, door frames, fire places – even building walls. But compared to playing rugby, it's night and day. If I ever have a bad day at training, I think back to what it was like working in that cold shed.
“I would like to return to some sort of trade though when I retire.”
#2.Joe Launchbury (England) – Supermarket
After being released by Harlequins aged 18, the future England second-row ended up getting a job in the local Sainsbury’s to ensure he could continue his rugby career with National 2 North side Worthing.
He worked in the bakery section and says it was a ‘good grounding’ for him and made him appreciate what hard work is
#3.Karl Tu’inukuafe(New Zealand)
Mustachioed man mountain propl Tu’inukuafe has gone from 27-stone nightclub bouncer to Test tyro. He only made his Super Rugby debut lain 2018 but has already racked up 24 caps for the All Blacks.
#1. Sam Underhill (England) – Painter/Decorator
Before securing a professional contract, the future England superstar served an apprenticeship under his Granddad as a painter and decorator.
The 26-year-old, who likes keeping busy, hasn’t ruled out a return to the trade when his rugby days are done.
#5.Liam Williams (Wales) – Scaffolder
This is the picture that illustrates the heights Williams has scaled to reach international rugby, starting off as a scaffolder.
It wasn't work for the faint-hearted, with Williams rigging scaffolding "over the top of a blast furnace, 300 feet from the ground" back in Wales.
NAME EVERY PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CLUB:
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
It's more difficult than it sounds.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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