What was your French like when you first arrived in Clermont-Ferrand?

Not good! The club provided me with lessons straight away, and I really did try hard to speak as much French as I could. Mind you, playing at outside-half, I had to learn the calls pretty quickly!

Your team-mates all seemed pretty happy with you. How did you get on with them normally?

They were a great bunch of lads, and they helped me enormously with my French. They really made me feel at home! They still took the mickey out of me sometimes, but I did get to understand the abuse a lot better by the end!

How did you enjoy life in France in general?

Fantastic! Rugby was so important there, and everyone treated me so well. I really loved the way of life.

Did you do French at school?

Yes, I studied French until the end of Year 9 in Ysgol Bro Myrddin, but I was too wrapped up in playing rugby to ever think that that I might need a language other than Welsh or English, one day.

Therefore, do you have a message for all those young people in Wales who are making their subject choices?

Yes! Carry on with your foreign languages! Even though I improved whilst I was in France, I do wish that I'd taken my French lessons more seriously in school. I made so many friends in France, but it would have been a lot easier if I'd learnt French when I was younger.