HAD it not been for his love of fishing, New-bridge second row Craig Blunsdon might have become a Welsh rugby international.

But, to coin a fishing phrase, he has no regrets about the one that got away - a possible Welsh cap - because his real love lay elsewhere.

"I've no regrets about my career," the 28-year-old said. "Fishing always came before rugby. "There's no point crying over spilt milk. I've played at or near the top for ten years and I'm happy with that."

Blunsdon's call into the Welsh training squad came several years ago when he was still a young man in the Abertillery side.

His bulk, ball-carrying ability and willingness to get stuck in brought him to the notice of the Welsh coaches, but the dedication was never there.

"I've always done my own thing," he said. "I'm pretty laid back and, after I've worked hard, I enjoy relaxing.

"For me, that has been fishing. My father loved fishing and I got hooked when I was seven. "I go on fishing trips all the time and I've been all over the world."

But the exception has been this year, which may be the reason, he accepts, that he has been training more often and playing consistently well despite Newbridge's below par season.

"I thought we would have a good season," he said. "We are too good to be where we are. "I have been quite happy with my own performances and, to be honest, I'm really enjoying playing, but the team has been struggling to score.

"Although we did better in that respect at Bridgend (in the cup) last week, our back line defensively was not good at all.

"We have to be better against Cardiff on Saturday. It is a big game for us. We don't know how many ringers (regional players) they'll chuck in.

"But we haven't pushed the panic buttons yet, the atmosphere is great and I'm sure things will turn around. "And I'm sure we can beat Cardiff whatever team they put out."