HE'S used to finding his man at the lineout and now Cross Keys hooker Gerwyn Price will be trying to hit his doubles on the professional darts circuit, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 28-year-old from Markham earned his Professional Darts Corporation tour card at a qualifying tournament in Wigan this week.

It means that the front row forward can now mix it on the oche with Phil 'The Power' Taylor, Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis and Simon 'The Wizard' Whitlock... Gerwyn will have world champ Michael van Gerwen in his sights.

"It's brilliant and I never thought that this would happen when I started playing properly four years ago," said Price, who had a short spell as a full-time player with Glasgow last season.

"I started up with Markham Welfare on Fridays and then played in the Super League for Aberbargoed on Wednesdays.

"It was going pretty well and Barrie Bates (a pro from Merthyr Tydfil) encouraged me to have a go at qualifying school. Day one didn't go well and I lost in the first round but I managed it on day two."

Price had to make it through six rounds in the north west of England, battling with 329 other darts hopefuls.

And his success in gaining a two-year tour card means that he now has a chance to go up against the big guns and has an easier qualification route to the big end-of-year finale at Alexandra Palace.

Not that Price, who is yet to choose a nickname and walk-on music, is going to give up on the rugby.

"It all depends on getting sponsors but I'll get the dates for the darts soon and will try and work games with Keys around it," said Price, who has been working in the construction industry.

"It will be great to go up against the best players in the world, I definitely won't be favourite and it's going to be tough but you never know will happen."