My Life in Rugby: Jason Forster – former Wales, Dragons and Bedford flanker

It’s only when you look back on your career that you realise how special your time as a professional sportsman was; the camaraderie, banter and friendships, and the respect you earn from your colleagues last a lifetime.
I was privileged enough to have played with some world-class players and in some great teams, with some fantastic coaches. My biggest honour was getting capped by Wales – a week after we’d beaten the Barbarians 42-0 at Ashton Gate – on the 2004 tour to Argentina and South Africa. Nowhere in world rugby is quite like the hostile environment in South America; the fans are passionate and coming up from the underground changing rooms and running on to the pitch feels like you are entering a gladiatorial arena, with the crowd chanting and flares going off.
It was a crazy game where tackling seemed optional – ten tries were scored in the second half alone. I got one of them but I’d have gladly given it up for a win: we lost 50-44 in what was Mike Ruddock’s first Test in charge. Unfortunately that appearance in 2004 proved to be my one and only cap for Wales.
I joined Bridgend in 1994 still in the non-professional era where I played alongside the likes of Gareth Thomas and Rob Howley and left in 1997 to join Bedford. We got promoted to the Premiership in my first season after a thoroughly entertaining play-off with Rotherham which ended 38-38 on aggregate. It was only after clarification from the officials that we realised we‘d won due to a superior try count.
My time at Bedford was turbulent in some respects, as our owner, boxing promoter Frank Warren, was going through a court case with Don King and there were some financial difficulties with players’ wages. But the team spirit couldn’t be broken, and player-coach Rudi Straeuli played a big role in that. He got our Irish prop, Clem Boyd, to sing Danny Boy before a big game with Leicester; moments like that stay with you for life.
I left Bedford in 1999 to try to fulfil my ambition in gaining honours for Wales and joined the Tony Brown revolution at Newport.
Tony made some stellar signings such as Gary Teichmann and Percy Montgomery. Captaining the team against Cardiff on my debut was a proud moment. In 2001 we won the Principality Cup for only the second time in the club’s history, beating Neath 13-8 in the final.
In the first year of regional rugby we’d been written off as underdogs but we finished third, the highest position the Dragons have achieved. Had we won at Leinster on the final weekend we’d have been champions.
During my time with the Dragons I played for Wales Sevens in two World Cups and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Wales ‘A’ and Wales. I was also selected to tour with the Barbarians.
My first coaching opportunity came as a player-coach and captain under Clive Griffiths at Doncaster Knights. During our time together the club reached its highest-ever position in the league.
My last full-time position came as head coach at Henley. I spent two years there, doing a lot of coaching work with a young squad, and helped get the club get back up to level four. I did a similar rebuilding job in the lower leagues at Chippenham.
After retiring from playing I took up a job working with young people at South Gloucestershire Council. I also carry out match day ambassadorial work at the Dragons. Having completed my RFU Level 4 coaching qualification, I’m now looking to get back into coaching.
I still enjoy the occasional run out in charity events and I’m due to play in Scotland soon in support of the Wooden Spoon.