Former Wales rugby star goes to university while working as a carer and gets important new role in sport

Peter Rogers has crystal clear memories from his playing days and for that he counts himself extremely lucky. The former Wales prop is acutely aware of the issues surrounding dementia through his work in social care and the degree he is studying on the subject.

He also has huge empathy for those ex-players who have been diagnosed with early onset dementia, with a number taking legal action against the sport’s governing bodies for failing to protect them from the risks caused by concussions.

Now the 18-times capped Rogers has an important new role to play. He has been appointed ambassador of Love of The Game, a campaign aimed at reducing concussion-related issues across sport. When he looks back on his own career, the ex-London Irish, Newport and Cardiff prop feels so fortunate to be able to do so with absolute clarity. You can read more about his playing days here.

“One of my best memories is running on to the pitch at the Millennium Stadium for the first ever game there against South Africa in 1999,” he says.

“Right at the end of the match, I can remember looking at Ed Morrison and just willing him to blow that final whistle for us to win. I can remember that like it was yesterday. I was going ‘Go on, blow that whistle, please Ed, please blow it.’

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“I can remember jumping on Scott Gibbs’ back when he scored that try against England at Wembley. He was going ‘Get off you big lump!’ I was going ‘No way Gibbsy, you are carrying me’.

“I remember every Welsh anthem I sang. You can’t buy things like that. Some of the fondest memories in my life are from playing rugby and they are crystal clear in my mind. But, unfortunately, some former players