Josh McNally: Flying start to Cardiff career for RAF corporal

McNally has also overcome health scares to continue his career.

He was playing for London Irish when he suffered a minor stroke in October 2017 following a Premiership defeat by Saracens.

It was caused by a hole in his heart and he had surgery to correct the condition, known as Patent Foramen Ovale, before returning to action a few months later.

“The main scary part was not knowing what it was,” said McNally.

“Having a stroke and coming through that pretty unscathed, which was pretty lucky.

“Stroke is a big word and you see people who don’t survive them.

“Coming through that, it was more the unknown of if I could keep playing rugby, while you don’t want them to keep happening.

“But like any injury, you treat it by looking at what was the cause and can it be fixed?

“We were lucky to work with great surgeons and specialists which gave me the confidence to go again.

“I came back within a few months. My wife mentions it every now and again, but I’ve never really thought about it.”

McNally is determined to keep playing as long as he can.

“I’ve always treated myself with the sense I’ll go as long as I can go,” said McNally.

“I’ve played with players who are in their 30s and they start creaking.

“I’m not saying I’m not creaking, but I’m not waking up in the morning and thinking I don’t want to train.

“My body is in a good place. I’ll go as long as I can. With a young family, when big injuries happen, you question if you want to keep putting yourself through it.

“But as long as my body holds up, I’ll keep going until it says otherwise.”