As Ashton Hewitt reflects on the Dragons’ upcoming Challenge Cup semi-final against Monpellier, the former wing briefly remarks that he never graced the latter stages of European knockout rugby.
“My injury history made sure of that,” he said. Except, he did play in a European semi-final against Edinburgh in 2015.
“Did I? I can’t remember actually. Maybe that’s something in my career I’ve forgotten about!”
Even with the injuries he mentioned, Hewitt achieved a fair amount in his playing days. He finished his career last year, hanging up his boots at the age of just 30 after 131 appearances for the Men of Gwent.
By the time he called time on his career, he was the Dragons’ second-highest try-scorer.
“It’s been different,” said Hewitt about life after rugby. “Very, very different.
“It’s had its challenges, but it’s going ok. I’ve had the privilege of starting my own business and working for myself, which means a little bit more time with my daughter and partner without my body being in such a state, which is amazing.
“So there’s really, really good elements of positives but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss a lot of what rugby gave me, watching all that from the sidelines. But I’m a privileged position to still be in and around the sport, doing commentary and punditry.
“I have a keen interest in it, following and supporting the Dragons at the same time. I don’t think it’s ever easy for anyone to retire.
“But so far it’s going ok. I won’t get myself too down about it!”
Watching the game so closely as a pundit could easily lead to pangs about not being out there on the field, but Hewitt admits those feelings would be there either way.
“It’s a bit of a weird one, but I think it’s good,” he said. “I’d be watching the games anyway and I’m still close mates with a lot of the players, so I’d still be getting those feelings anyway, thinking I’d love to be out there doing what I do – or did, I should say.
“But I love watching and the punditry keeps me involved in that side of the game so I love it.”
During his playing days, Hewitt was an influential advocate for racial equality, speaking out on racism on numerous occasions.
Unsurprisingly, his life after rugby has seen him continue in that vein – setting up a consultancy firm, specialising working with firms in diversity and inclusion issues.
“It’s Every Voice Consulting,” he says. “It’s diversity and inclusion.
“I work with organisations that are basically looking to improve their environments, their cultures and understand their people a little more so that everybody feels more included and feel like they belong.
“That’s basically a wrap-up of what I do. So far, so good. It’s different, as I say.
“I’ve gone from one end of the spectrum of running around all day with 50 people to being sometimes being sat on my laptop in my home office all day. That’s when I need to go outside and get my steps in.
“Life’s changed, but I’m lucky to do something I’m passionate about. I really do care about the work that I do with organisations. No one day looks the same. Then on weekends, I get to be involved in rugby so it keeps it fresh.
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“The goal is building those long-lasting relationships where I get to see that progress, monitoring and assisting with support over a longer period of time. It is rewarding.
“I’ve been quite open and honest about my experiences with racism, a lot of conversations I’ve had with people in different sectors and experiences. A lot of the data doesn’t lie in terms of the makeup of organisations as far as demographics go and leadership positions, career progression and so on and so forth.
“That’s what I’m there to do. Build a little bit of momentum in terms of making progress in that area. When you see that progress and work pay off with the commitment from organisations, it’s massively rewarding.”
Premier Sports is the home of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup in the UK and Ireland – with every minute of live action from four thrilling semi-finals this weekend plus Finals weekend in Bilbao on May 22/23. Tune into Premier Sports 2 from 12 noon on Sunday for all the live action from Montpellier v Dragons RFC with Lauren Jenkins, Ashton Hewitt, Bernard Jackman, Tom Shanklin, Connor Morris, Johnnie Beattie. To join in www.premiersports.com from just £11.99 a month @PremSportsTV