STEPHEN Myler is an example of grabbing an opportunity with both hands.
After four years with his hometown club Widnes Vikings and a further two in rugby league with Salford Red Devils - or City Reds as they were then known - he took the plunge of making the switch to rugby union.
The former Wade Deacon High School student, who came through the Academy ranks at St Helens, never looked back after hitting it off in the 15-man game with Northampton Saints from 2006.
Goal-kicking fly-half Myler, the son of ex-Widnes full back John, nephew of former Widnes international stand-off Tony and great nephew of Widnes legend Frank, was his side’s controller and points machine, playing 330 games and scoring 2655 points before he left Northampton in 2018.
In 2014 he was man of the match in both finals when the Saints completed an historic double in the Premiership and European Challenge Cup, which Myler also won with Northampton in 2009.
Last year he played a key role in London Irish’s resurgence, guiding them back to the English Premiership at the first attempt.
Now, aged 36, he is still playing, having signed for a season with Pro14 club Ospreys.
Rugby league's loss was rugby union's gain.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here