Rhys Gill still vividly recalls the moment when he thought his career as a professional rugby player was over at the age of 22. It was Cardiff Blues boss Dai Young who broke the bad news, telling him he was being released by the region.
“I remember Dai sitting me down and saying ‘There is nothing here for you’. I thought that was it. At the time, I was going to go and play for Neath semi-pro.”
As it turned out, the prop from the Rhondda was to have 13 more years as a pro, winning seven Wales caps and numerous trophies with Saracens - after a crucial helping hand from Michael Owen - before returning to Cardiff.
