In a world where rugby demands total dedication, it\u2019s easy to forget that some of the game\u2019s biggest names didn\u2019t always have it easy. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here are\u00a0five international rugby players\u00a0who put in the hard yards\u2014on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n
1. Finn Russell (Scotland) \u2013 Stonemason<\/p>\n
Before dazzling fans with his flair on the rugby field,\u00a0Finn Russell\u00a0was carving out a living\u2014literally. After leaving school, the Scottish playmaker spent\u00a0three years as a stonemason apprentice\u00a0in a family friend\u2019s business while chasing his rugby dreams.<\/p>\n
Earning\u00a0\u00a3300 a week, with an extra\u00a0\u00a350 cash-in-hand\u00a0from Falkirk Rugby Club, Russell knows the meaning of hard work.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn rainy days it could be pretty miserable\u2026 But if I ever have a bad day at training, I think back to what it was like working in that cold shed,\u201d\u00a0he once reflected.<\/p>\n
Despite becoming one of the world\u2019s most electric fly-halves, Russell hasn\u2019t ruled out a return to the trade when his rugby days are done.<\/p>\n
2. Joe Launchbury (England) \u2013 Supermarket Worker<\/p>\n
After being\u00a0released by Harlequins\u00a0at 18,\u00a0Joe Launchbury\u00a0faced an uncertain future. To keep his rugby dream alive, the towering lock took a job at his local\u00a0Sainsbury\u2019s, working in the bakery section while playing for National 2 North side Worthing.<\/p>\n
Launchbury credits those early shifts for shaping his work ethic:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a good grounding\u2014it made me appreciate what hard work really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Karl Tu\u2019inukuafe (New Zealand) \u2013 Nightclub Bouncer<\/p>\n
From the\u00a0doors of Auckland nightclubs\u00a0to the front row of the All Blacks scrum,\u00a0Karl Tu\u2019inukuafe\u00a0has had a meteoric rise. Weighing\u00a027 stone\u00a0at one point, the powerhouse prop worked as a\u00a0bouncer\u00a0before shedding weight and chasing his rugby dream.<\/p>\n
Incredibly, he didn\u2019t make his\u00a0Super Rugby debut until 2018, but the late bloomer now boasts\u00a024 caps\u00a0for New Zealand\u2014and a cult following thanks to his iconic moustache.<\/p>\n
4. Sam Underhill (England) \u2013 Painter\/Decorator<\/p>\n
Before tackling international opponents,\u00a0Sam Underhill\u00a0was painting walls. The England flanker learned the trade as a\u00a0painter and decorator, working under his granddad before landing a professional contract.<\/p>\n
Despite his success on the pitch, Underhill\u2014who thrives on staying busy\u2014hasn\u2019t ruled out a return to the brush when he eventually hangs up his boots.<\/p>\n
5. Liam Williams (Wales) \u2013 Scaffolder<\/p>\n
From dizzying heights to rugby\u2019s biggest stages,\u00a0Liam Williams\u00a0knows how to climb. The versatile Welsh back started as a\u00a0scaffolder, working on high-risk projects, including\u00a0300 feet above a blast furnace\u00a0back home in Wales.<\/p>\n
The experience toughened him up\u2014something that\u2019s served him well as he\u2019s become one of the most fearless players in the modern game.<\/p>\n
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