9 weirdest career changes made by rugby players

Former Australia international Crowley also worked as an undercover police officer with the Queensland Police Force, specialising in busting drug-rings on Queensland's Gold Coast. He writes of his experiences in his book Undercover Prop, and works as a motivational speaker. On some occasions, he was even working undercover during rugby tours in New Zealand.

Monahan is far from the most famous of Premiership players, but earned a reputation as a reliable back for both Rotherham and Gloucester. He retired from playing in 2015, but over the last decade he has been earning quite a reputation as an artist.

Since retirement, the 46-year-old and his wife Erica have opened their own coffee shop chain in Australia under the Gregan Group brand.

Combining the former rugby star’s contacts and leadership experience with Erica’s hotels and restaurant sector expertise, the pair have established 16 GG Espresso cafes across Sydney, with their brand also extending to bars, restaurants and a catering company. Employing up to 280 people, the company has annual revenues of more than £4.7m.

The legendary All Blacks No 7 has revealed his plans for life after rugby having announced his retirement from the sport. When asked how he would fill his days now without the sport, he said: "I am heavily involved in the Christchurch Helicopters company, they are great people and I'm excited about the opportunities there. Aviation is something I'm passionate about, I'm going to carry on flying and work towards getting my commercial pilot licence."

Played 19 times for Wales between 1993-95 before injury cut short his career. History was made in the French courts when Evans sued Olivier Merle the French lock who had caused his ankle injury through foul play. He is now a firefighter in Aberporth.

Unexpectedly, Bayfield appeared in all of the Harry Potter films playing the half-giant Hagrid, as Robbie Coltrane's body and stunt double. He also appeared in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, as a young Rubeus Hagrid. Continuing the acting theme, he also played a cyclops in Jonathan Liebesman's Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to 2010 movie Clash of the Titans.

When former Sale and Cardiff star Nick Macleod damaged his big toe during a match a few years ago he never thought it would mean the end of his professional sporting career. What came as an even biggest surprise, however, was the fact he'd then go on to become one of Cardiff's most popular bakers.

He's a rugby league footballer, Menzies spent the majority of his career with various clubs in the Championship, making one appearance in the Super League for Hull Kingston Rovers in 2008. In 2016 he began pursuing a career in professional wrestling, and signed with WWE in early 2018.

Along with is two brothers, Josh and Max, the former Harlequins man launched a family-run sausage brand. The Jolly Hog journey began when Kohn’s wife bought him a sausage-making machine in 2008. The Jolly Hog business, which has 15 full-time employees, registered turnover of £1.3m last year.