Finn Russell wants to quit rugby for left field career when he retires
Rugby NewsThursday, 20 February 2025 at 13:14
, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.
In a world where rugby demands total dedication, it's easy to forget that some of the game’s biggest names didn’t always have it easy. While many young talents are groomed in elite academies, a few rugby stars were grinding away at everyday jobs before breaking into the professional ranks.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Here are five international rugby players who put in the hard yards—on and off the pitch.
1. Finn Russell (Scotland) – Stonemason
Before dazzling fans with his flair on the rugby field, Finn Russell was carving out a living—literally. After leaving school, the Scottish playmaker spent three years as a stonemason apprentice in a family friend’s business while chasing his rugby dreams.
Earning £300 a week, with an extra £50 cash-in-hand from Falkirk Rugby Club, Russell knows the meaning of hard work.
"On rainy days it could be pretty miserable… But if I ever have a bad day at training, I think back to what it was like working in that cold shed," he once reflected.
Despite becoming one of the world’s most electric fly-halves, Russell hasn’t ruled out a return to the trade when his rugby days are done.
2. Joe Launchbury (England) – Supermarket Worker
After being released by Harlequins at 18, Joe Launchbury faced an uncertain future. To keep his rugby dream alive, the towering lock took a job at his local Sainsbury’s, working in the bakery section while playing for National 2 North side Worthing.
Launchbury credits those early shifts for shaping his work ethic:
"It was a good grounding—it made me appreciate what hard work really is."
3. Karl Tu'inukuafe (New Zealand) – Nightclub Bouncer
From the doors of Auckland nightclubs to the front row of the All Blacks scrum, Karl Tu'inukuafe has had a meteoric rise. Weighing 27 stone at one point, the powerhouse prop worked as a bouncer before shedding weight and chasing his rugby dream.
Incredibly, he didn’t make his Super Rugby debut until 2018, but the late bloomer now boasts 24 caps for New Zealand—and a cult following thanks to his iconic moustache.
4. Sam Underhill (England) – Painter/Decorator
Before tackling international opponents, Sam Underhill was painting walls. The England flanker learned the trade as a painter and decorator, working under his granddad before landing a professional contract.
Despite his success on the pitch, Underhill—who thrives on staying busy—hasn’t ruled out a return to the brush when he eventually hangs up his boots.
5. Liam Williams (Wales) – Scaffolder
From dizzying heights to rugby’s biggest stages, Liam Williams knows how to climb. The versatile Welsh back started as a scaffolder, working on high-risk projects, including 300 feet above a blast furnace back home in Wales.
The experience toughened him up—something that’s served him well as he’s become one of the most fearless players in the modern game.
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UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations
The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News
This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.
ENGLAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/41 (95.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)
- Bevan Rodd (Scotland) - Parent
- Chandler Cunningham-South (England) - Born in England
- Harry Randall (England) - Born in England
- Marcus Smith (Philippines) - Parent
- Tom Roebuck (Scotland) - Parent
FRANCE
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/42 (92.8%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)
- Dany Priso (Cameroon) - Residency (2008)
- Uini Atonio (New Zealand) - Residency (2014)
- Giorgi Beria (Georgia) - Residency (2002)
- Joshua Brennan (Ireland) - Residency (2005)
- Emmanuel Meafou (New Zealand) - Residency (2023)
- Émilien Gailleton (England) - Parent
IRELAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/36 (83.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)
- Rob Herring (South Africa) - Grandparent
- Finlay Bealham (Australia) - Grandparent
- Cormac Izuchukwu (England) - Parent
- Joe McCarthy (USA) - Parent
- Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)
- Bundee Aki (New Zealand) - Residency (2017)
- Ciarán Frawley (Australia) - Parent
- Mack Hansen (Australia) - Parent
- James Lowe (New Zealand) - Residency (2020)
ITALY
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 21/31 (67.7%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)
- Dino Lamb-Cona (England) - Parent
- Sebastian Negri (Zimbabwe) - Parent
- Ross Vintcent (South Africa) - Grandparent
- Martin Page-Relo (France) - Grandparent
- Stephen Varney (Wales) - Parent
- Juan Ignacio Brex (Argentina) - Grandparent
- Montana Ioane (Australia) - Residency (2020)
- Ange Capuozzo (France) - Parent
- Matt Gallagher (England) - Parent
SCOTLAND
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 25/42 (58,1.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)
- Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) - Residency (2021)
- Ewan Ashman (Canada) - Parent
- Dylan Richardson (South Africa) - Parent
- Will Hurd (England) - Grandparent
- Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) - Parent
- Ewan Johnson (England) - Parent
- Marshall Sykes (England) - Grandparent
- Josh Bayliss (England) - Grandparent
- Jack Dempsey (Australia) - Grandparent
- Alexander Masibaka (Australia) - Parent
- Ben White (England) - Grandparent
- Fergus Burke (New Zealand) - Grandparent
- Tom Jordan (New Zealand) - Residency (2024)
- Rory Hutchinson (England) - Grandparent
- Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) - Grandparent
- Arron Reed (England) - Parent
- Kyle Rowe (England) - Cumulative Residency
- Duhan van der Merwe (South Africa) - Residency (2020)
WALES
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 26/34 (76.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)
- WillGriff John (England) - Parent
- Henry Thomas (England) - Parent
- Will Rowlands (England) - Parent
- Freddie Thomas (England) - Grandparent
- Christ Tshiunza (DR Congo) - Residency (2015)
- James Botham (Wales) - Born in Wales
- Taulupe Faletau (Tonga) - Residency (2001)
- Ellis Bevan (England) - Parent
- Nick Tompkins (England) - Grandparent
- Blair Murray (New Zealand) - Parent
- Ellis Mee (England) - Parent
Predictor Game:
If you are not sure, simply hit 'Shuffle' and you will be given an automated prediction.
Once you are happy with the selection, hit 'Submit Prediction' to enter.
You will receive points if either/both of your predictions occur during the live match.
POINTS
5 Points: Total Tries Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct
A winner will be selected from those with the most points at the end of the game week
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