Opportunity knocks for Welsh whizz-kid

By Mark Stevens
3/12/22

In another life, Dan John could easily having been plying his sporting trade as a professional footballer, not that of a professional rugby player.

He is, however, happy with the choice he made, particularly as he is now forging a blossoming career here with the Exeter Chiefs.

As a youngster, John mixed his sporting habits between that of rugby and football, although it would be the latter that he would concentrate his main attentions on between the ages of 11 and 16.

Although he was happy to play down his abilities to the media this week, John was more than capable with the round ball. A former Cardiff City Academy player, he has not only rubbed shoulders with some of the current Wales World Cup squad, but he’s even had a few glowing endorsements from former Bluebirds boss, Neil Warnock.

John easily could have stuck to a potential life in football, but when his family moved to Hong Kong at the age of 15, he followed them to Asia and it was there that he rekindled his love for rugby.

“Rugby is big in the ex-pat community over there, it’s probably helped by the Hong Kong Sevens,” he said. “Before then, I was all football and in the academy at Cardiff City, but once I got over there I got back into rugby, I’ve not really looked back since.”

Although it was only a short stint in Hong Kong, John returned to the UK, where he would continue his schooling at Millfield, where he lined-up in the same side as the likes of current Chief, Cli Burrows, Will Joseph, Ewan Richards and Tom Cowan.

“Our team was class,” he laughs. “I really enjoyed my time there. My mum, though, wanted me to continue my education and that meant going to University, not just focusing on sport. When I got picked up by the Chiefs, it was a bit of no-brainer to go to the University here as well.

“Doing the whole Uni thing, it’s been so good. Playing BUCS rugby and combining it with life here at the Chiefs, I couldn’t have asked for a better situation. The route, though, for a lot of us young lads is there. Obviously, guys life Daf (Jenkins) and Christ (Tshiunza) have gone through quickly and got to play for Wales, but that’s my aim moving forward.”

Certainly, the young Welshman, son of former Wales international Paul John, is demonstrating that he too can tread a similar path, having worked his way into the first team ranks at the Chiefs this season.

“I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I’ve had lots of opportunities to pull the Chiefs jersey on and I hope it continues. I know it’s still early days in terms of my career and I’ve got lots to learn, but if you speak to the older guys, they’ll tell you they are still learning all the time. It’s good, though, that I can get advice and guidance off them and from the coaches.

“Likewise, my dad is there too. To be fair, he doesn’t butt in too much, but when he does speak it’s really helpful and I do appreciate it. It’s definitely helped me get where I am today.”