Rewind seven months and Welsh teenager Ty Lewis was pitching up in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France while knowing only the basics of the French language.
It must have been like landing on the moon minus a spacesuit.
He’d signed a three-year senior academy contract with Beziers rugby club after an agent sent them a highlights reel of the then 18-year-old wing or outside centre in action.
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It was a big move for one so young. Beziers play in France’s Pro D2 these days but were once a dominant force in French rugby, winning 10 championships between 1971 and 1984 and boasting players such as Alain Esteve, Alain Paco and Michel Palmie. You can read about two of those legends here.
Lewis had plans to study at Montpellier University while furthering his rugby and life education. “I’m excited about the rugby and about living in France and sampling a different culture and meeting new people,” he said at the time.
But he’s back in the UK now, the experience having proven a short one.
“There were a few complications with my visa, so the university side of things fell through,” said Lewis.
“I then had to make a call.
“It was all very well trying to chase my dreams, but the long term had to be thought of, too. Rugby's a short career and we've all seen what's happened at Wasps and Worcester, with players made unemployed amid financial problems at their clubs. I wanted to make sure I completed my education because you have to think about tomorrow as well as today.
“I came to the conclusion that the best course for me was to return to the UK and study there while continuing to play rugby.
“I’m now doing a degree in sports coaching at Hartpury and playing for their elite freshers.
“I don’t have any regrets about going to France.
“It may not have lasted long, but the experience was superb. I trained with their professional players and had an opportunity to see what was needed to make it.
“The support I had from my family and my girlfriend Sophia Sorrell was brilliant and I’m indebted to my ex-agent Jamie Noon for arranging the deal. I’d also like to thank the club for showing faith in me. I will always be grateful.”
Lewis came through at Abercwmboi and was part of Cardiff Rugby’s age-grade system. Coaches in England had told him he was a shade small, at 5ft 8in and 13st 5lb, to make it in the pro game, but he has talent and isn’t short on determination.
“My goal is still to play professional rugby,” he says.
“If I can do well at Hartpury, who have a great record for producing quality rugby players, then that would act as a platform. If I could make it into the Wales U20s set-up that would be a huge plus.
“I am still in touch with Beziers and part of their group chat and I still think there’s a possibility that if things don’t work out in the UK I could end up back out there.
“I just wanted to get things in the right order — complete my education now rather than later while continuing to play rugby. I wanted to get a Plan B in place in case I needed it.”
Now 19, Lewis was bold enough to try something different, and wise enough to have a rethink when not everything was slotting into place. “The last few months haven’t put me off making it as a professional. It’s only made me hungrier,” he added.
Part of being young is to sample new experiences.
"There were a few weeks when I was out there on my own and you grow up quickly then," he said. "But, like I said, I had a great support network with people coming out to see me. It's something I'm pleased I've done."
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