As he steps out of his car, I can’t help notice that apart from being tall, 6 ft 5 to be precise, he’s very handsome and appears to have a physique to die for! I hate my job!!!!
After we’ve made our introductions, I have to ask the question...
Why are we meeting at an airfield? Because we’re going flying, I fly planes!
He smiles with a cheeky glint in his eye.
I fly single engine planes. I have my PPL (private pilots licence). I’m actually looking into getting my helicopter licence too.
Ok. So not only am I meeting this handsome rugby player, but he’s taking me up in a plane. Could this day get any better?
Apart from all this flying around the skies and playing rugby, what do you do in your spare time?
I like to make the most of my spare time so I’m always pretty busy. I love flying, golf, windsurfing, kite surfing, taking my motorbike out for a run. A few of my friends have got bikes so we get together and go off for the day. I like scuba diving too. I try to get a couple of dives in whenever I go away to sunnier climates.
Adrenaline Junkie eh! What happened to quiet Sundays and a good book? You’re a real life action man!
I do get to chill out in the house now and again. I’m pretty addicted to my X Box at the moment. So does Action Man have a Barbie to play with?
Yeah I have a girlfriend. He smiles. Boo! Sorry Ladies, he’s taken. Guess we’ll just have to admire from afar!What do you look for in a woman?
I like women who are laid back and have a good sense of humour. Sporty and outgoing is always a winner too.
Ideal Woman?
Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider and the Bone Collector.Night out with the boys or night in with ‘That Special Someone’?
I’d have to say night out with the boys. When we all go out its pretty nuts but we have a great laugh.Favourite Food?
After a moments thought: Pappa Sanchos Steak. One of my old team mate’s Nathan Brew (now plays for the Scarlets) has a restaurant in Swansea, Pappa Sanchos, which serves the most amazing steak. We always go there for a feed.
Most embarrassing moment on or off the pitch?
He giggles and shuffles in his seat. Getting my eye caught in a zip before the European Cup game against Leinster. Um, ouch! The physio had to unzip it across my eye. I didn’t cry but it really hurt and gave me a black eye before I’d even stepped onto the pitch. All the boys were falling around laughing at me!
Any party tricks?
Not so much tricks, more like random silliness! When we go out we just have a laugh.What music are you listening to at the moment?
My mate lent me the ‘Scouting for Girls’ album the other day. I really like it so I’m gonna try to not give it back!!
Life after rugby?
I’d love to go into flying for a living, either flying corporate light business jets or helicopters. Hopefully earn lots of money too!
So how about you’re Welsh Career?
I had my first senior cap in 1998 and that was against South Africa and I’ve played eleven seasons for Wales. If I get selected for the up and coming tour this year it will be ten years to the day in the same country and the same stadium! I signed for the Ospreys in 2007. They are a very ambitious team and I decided that I wanted to be part of their set up. Subsequently we went on to win the EDF Cup recently too which was pretty fantastic. That was quick! Yeah I got a shoulder injury in 2000 and had a falling out with the coach at the time, so I missed two seasons.
I’m doing the maths in my head and there seems to be a few seasons missing?
That was quick! Yeah I got a shoulder injury in 2000 and had a falling out with the coach at the time, so I missed two seasons.
Ooh can you tell me why?
No I can’t, don’t be so nosy!
It’s my job to be nosy dam it!!!
Top marks for trying though!
Ten years of international rugby. How has your body coped? Have you taken any knocks or injuries throughout your rugby career?
Yeah, I’ve had shoulder a reconstruction, back surgery, a few broken arms, a broken nose and hundreds of stitches!
Ready to go flying?
He gestures over to the airfield
We’ll be going up in that!?
It’s a small single engine plane only just big enough for the two of us.
So I guess there’s no in flight entertainment or duty free then!!
ModelClick would like to thank:
Swansea Airport for their hospitality
Morgans Hotel for this hospitality
Debenhams personal shopping for all clothes worn by Ian
Chris Barroccu Photography |
