Quins legend on how he knew it was time to hang up the boots
LUKE Hamilton has revealed he did not receive a single offer to return home to Wales but is not complaining after securing his dream move to Leicester.
The 24-year-old from Pembroke left his homeland for then French second division side Agen in 2014 after growing frustrated at a lack of action with Cardiff Blues.
The gamble paid rich dividends and his form last season, after helping Agen into the Top14, caught the attention of Tigers boss Richard Cockerill.
Now he finds himself battling the likes of Tom Croft for a starting berth. But the fact not one of the four Welsh regions registered a desire to bring him home has been of no concern to the workhorse back-rower.
Hamilton, below, told TRP: “I had nothing in terms of an offer to come back and play in Wales. I was enjoying my rugby in France and if the offer came, it came.
“And once I had an offer from Leicester there was no difficult choice to make. I met the coaches and it was quite straightforward.
“I had a chance to stay with Agen, they made the offer at the start of the season and after four games they wanted me to sign or leave.
“I wanted to see how the season went as I was in the Top14 and I wanted to put some pressure on myself. It got a bit twitchy near the end but it turned out to be the right thing to do.
“Leicester were such a big team when I was growing up, with huge success and so many great players, it’s been great to be part of it and get some game time in preseason. I cannot wait for the season to start.”
Welshmen have had mixed results when heading over the Channel, and Wales coach Warren Gatland has been critical of the standard of conditioning work in the Top14.
But Hamilton would have no hesitation in recommending the experience after admitting to finding himself in a rut at the Blues.
He added: “I definitely needed it. I was in a bit of a ditch at the Blues and I needed to get out. I had fallen into a comfort zone around the academies.
“I feel I have grown a lot. The training and conditioning were a bit behind but the games themselves were berserk. “It is difficult to embrace a new culture but I was pleased with how I adapted and I would do it again without hesitation. Everything is done for you in academies, but out there you either get on with it or you’ll fall behind.” ANDREW GWILYM