15 years... but special Brew is not ready to hang up his boots just yet
IT’S been a rollercoaster ride of a career for Aled Brew and he isn’t ready to get off just yet.
He has played for ten different teams in three different countries over the past 15 years.
Along the way, he’s won nine Wales caps and was part of the squad that reached the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.
Within a couple of years of his last international outing, he found himself playing for Bedwas, as his career stalled during a third spell at the Dragons.
But then the switchback took another turn as he was handed a lifeline by Bath and grabbed it with both hands.
After four seasons at The Rec during which he played some of his best rugby - the winger is moving on, having been released.
He’s now 33, but feels he still has a lot to offer and is keen to secure a regional deal back home in Wales.
Of course, he’s already played for three of the regions.
Born in Cardiff, but raised and schooled in Pontardawe, he started off with the Ospreys and also had a stint with the Blues, appearing for Neath, Swansea, Aberavon and Pontypridd during those periods.
But it was with the Dragons, first on loan from the Ospreys and then during a four-year permanent stay, that his career really took off.
He scored 43 tries for the Men of Gwent in 120 appearances and became a firm fans’ favourite with his hugely committed approach.
“When it comes to memories and scoring and team-mates, some of my best times were there definitely,” he says.
“The supporters in the Dragons are some of the best around.
“I know a lot of teams hated coming down to Rodney Parade because of how hostile the fans were.
“Having them on your side was amazing.
“I will never forget how they would chant my name. It would be like a ‘Brewwww’ noise going through the crowd.
“A lot of people thought they were booing me, but they weren’t.
“It was amazing when you were on the field. It gave you that extra lift when you were knackered to try and do something special.
“It was pretty awesome.”
His exploits with the Dragons saw him receive the call from Wales, with nine caps coming his way between 2007 and 2012.
“It was a huge blur that time in my life,” he recalls.
“It feels like it went past really quickly.
“Coming out on to the stadium for my first cap against Ireland was an amazing experience and something I still hold dear to me now.
“Then to get into the World Cup squad in 2011 was a massive achievement.
“I managed to dot down against