What are your earliest memories of rugby?
My first memory of rugby was playing for my school when I was about eight years old. My teacher at the time told my parents I should really start playing rugby and I joined Pontyclun RFC and I fell in love with the club. I am Pontyclun through and through, but I did leave as a teenager to play for Pontypridd and was involved with Ponty schools Under-11s and Under-15s. Originally I was a full back, centre or wing and I went back to Pontyclun to play Under-16s and that was where I really fell in love with rugby, and it was one of the best years of my life. That was when I moved to playing seven.
Your journey to the Ospreys has been pretty unusual but Bridgend College played a major role in you being drafted in to the set-up?
After Under-15s, I didn’t get picked up and went to what they call regional ‘Mop Up’ sessions. I didn’t get picked up for that and then I went to Bridgend College and that was where the Ospreys saw me and picked me up. Literally, if I hadn’t gone there, I don’t think I would have got picked up. I went there to do Civil Engineering and after two days switched to rugby.
What is it like being an openside flanker and training with the likes of Justin Tipuric at the Ospreys?
I have always looked up to the likes of Justin Tipuric and it has just gone from there, really. I just like being involved in the game and at seven you are more involved. I just prefer to be involved with the action. I am still feeling my way but I am more comfortable playing there. It suits me. I seem to just know what people expect from me as a seven.