10 international rugby stars who took unorthodox routes to the top

But more often than not the distance from A to B takes a rugby player through many trials and tribulations.

For these 10 players, the journey to Test Rugby has been anything but routine.

Joe Launchbury is a versatile forward who looks set to be an international mainstay for years to come following a testing start to his rugby career. Harlequins decided not to offer Launchbury a professional contract at 18, the lock left Quins and joined the then National League 2 South side Worthing for the 2009–10 season.

His performances at the South coast club under Will Green, the then head coach and former London Wasps player, saw him recommend Launchbury to his former club. He played in several A-League matches for Wasps and, after a spell training with the Eastern Province Kings in South Africa, signed a full time contract in 2010.

There was still work to do for the young forward though as he also joined National League 1 side Rosslyn Park on loan to gain senior experience. Through his hard work Launchbury has since become a stalwart in the Wasps side and following his incredible journey has now won 54 caps for England

With a grandfather from County Kerry, the New Zealand-born flanker pitched up in Ireland back in 2014 out to explore his family history and, with Ulster the first team to reply to his request for a trial, hasn't looked back since, signing a new two-year contract back in February.

Showing his best form this season with the Irish province, Reidy has now at the age 27 made his Test debut for Joe Schmidt's Ireland during their summer tour of South Africa.

Rokoduguni, a Lance Corporal and reconnaissance tank soldier of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in the British Army, signed for Bath in 2012 before becoming a breakthrough star of the 2013/14 season, scoring several crowd-pleasing tries in his first full season of professional rugby.

He then became the first serving soldier since Tim Rodber to play for England but missed the Rugby World Cup due to injury. A fantastic story and deserved rise.

Scott Fardy did not have the looks, athleticism or speed. That is why he was overlooked by every team in Australia for more than a decade. Fardy had two stints with the Waratahs development squad and then went to the Western Force, where he was told he had not performed even though he never got onto the field. He then moved to play his rugby in Japan.

While in Kamaishi, Fardy went through an experience that put everything into perspective and saw him grow as a person. He was in his apartment in March 2011 when the 5m tsunami hit. It destroyed half of the small village, with friends of Fardy among the fatalities.

Rather than take up the Australian embassy’s offer to evacuate, Fardy and some expat teammates opted to stay and help the locals whose lives had been shattered.

On returning to Australia in 2012, Fardy secured a rookie contract with the ACT Brumbies and it wasn’t long until he was starting every week. He's now joined Leinster in the Guinness PRO14.

Gordon Reid joined the Glasgow set-up on a full-time basis aged 24 ahead of season 2011/12 after delivering a string of standout performances for Ayr in Premier 1.

After an impressive stint he then signed a contract extension in 2014, which will keep him at Scotstoun until at least May 2017.

He then made his debut for Scotland in the first match of the 2014 summer tour against the USA in Houston and went on to play against Canada and Argentina on that tour.

Luke Romano is a refreshing throwback to the old school, almost an oddity in professional rugby. His path to the All Blacks followed a rare road, nearly unheard of in the modern era.

Romano wasn't a standout youngster. He never impressed the local representative selectors, or progressed through the now institutionalised talent-spotting systems. Unlike the somewhat pampered new-age player, Romano first learned to hold down a real job. He, therefore, has an appreciation and perspective of what life entails off the field.

A consummate lock, with all the skills required to do the job properly, Romano has continued to develop and improve since his provincial debut in 2009. He is now trying to make up for lost time and construct a fittingly sturdy All Black career and has won 31 Test caps so far since making his debut in 2012, aged 26.

It’s taken Josh Adams a little over 16 months to complete a meteoric rise through English rugby to win a place in Warren Gatland’s 39-strong Welsh squad for the 2018 Six Nations Championship. In the 2015-16 season, the 22-year-old former Scarlets Academy wing was farmed out on loan to Cinderford, in National League One South, by his Aviva Premiership paymasters Worcester Warriors. But he's now arguably their best player and a Wales regular.

Playing for National League One side Tynedale for five years between 2009 and 2014, the centre scored a try on his professional debut for the Falcons against București Wolves in the European Challenge Cup. He's since become a fan favourite and Kingston Park, catching the eye of Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, which led to him making his test debut during the 2018 Six Nations.

While Harris played for Tynedale, flanker Wilson was also working his way up the leagues nearby for Blaydon in National One after having spells with Penrith RUFC and Kendal RUFC. Despite initially struggling to make his makr for the Falcons he eventually made the number six shirt his own. As a result of a string of find performances, in May 2017 he was invited to a training camp with the senior England squad by Eddie Jones and made his debut in the 1st summer test against Argentina.

Coming through the ranks at Fylde RFC, a club made famous by the ex-England captain and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, the tighthead made quite the impression. He earned a move to Newcastle Falcons and made his England debut in 2014. Since making his senior debut for England in that tour, Brookes has taken to the field for England 16 times.