To carry that mantle for 18 games. Mate, it’s bonkers

“I loved playing rugby so much. I would have played rugby every day of my life if I could have.

“I loved being a player so much, I don’t know if I could sit on the side, with the passion I have, and try and influence without being on there.

“So I don’t know, but I do know I’ve got rugby to thank for everything I’ve ever done and everything I’ll ever be.”

Does he still miss playing the game then?

“No, you know what, I don’t,” he replies.

“From the day I retired, I have nev- er missed it and I think that’s a good thing.

“People ask me sometimes and I say ‘yeah’ because you feel like you have to, as you think you should miss it.

“I’ve thought about this loads and wondered why I don’t miss it.

“Do you know what, for my capabilities I achieved everything I possibly could have, so that means I don’t miss it.

“If I missed it, it would mean there was something I didn’t do or something I should have done.

“As far as the game itself, I just think there’s no more I could have given, so I don’t miss it.”

The 100-cap former Bridgend, Cardiff, Celtic Warriors and Toulouse back is still involved in rugby in one capacity, as a some-time pundit on the game, amid all his other TV work.

“I am a fan of it and I support Wales,” he says.

“Being an ex-player weird.

“Sometimes you might say something that may seem critical.

“But to me it’s something I would say to somebody’s face.

“That’s what people say to each it’s kind of other in games.

“It’s only when you leave the rugby bubble that you understand that negative criticism is not personal, it’s reality because we don’t always get everything right.

“You take that negative and you think I can turn that around.

“I understand what it’s like in that the meeting room after playing bubble.

“But I don’t think I’ve ever said anything just for the sake of being negative.

“Everything I do, I do it being myself. If I don’t, I go back to being the person I never want to become again.

“I say what I think if I think it needs to be said, not for the sake of saying it.”