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Peter Rogers, second from left, and Co celebrate the win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road in the 2000 Lloyds TSB Six Nations
(Main) Peter Rogers, second from left, and Co celebrate the win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road in the 2000 Lloyds TSB Six Nations (Thumb) Peter Rogers applauds the Millennium Stadium crowd after Wales's win over Scotland in the same championship
Huw Evans
Welsh scrum ace Rogers returns
3 July 2007, 9:13 am
By WRU
Peter Rogers will turn back the clock this week when he launches pre-season training with his first senior club, Bridgend.
The most feared scrummager in the world in the late nineties, the 38-year-old former Cardiff and Wales loose head prop is preparing to bridge a three year gap since retiring to get back into the game he loves.

It was 19 years ago that the 18 times capped Rogers first launched his senior career at the Brewery Field after graduating into senior rugby from Maesteg Youth. A run out in Hong Kong in the international '10s' tournament there sparked thoughts of putting his boots back on and he will commence pre-season training with his new team mates this week.

"It's three years since I retired from Cardiff and all I've done since then is play tennis and golf. I've kept myself pretty fit, but I felt I wanted a more competitive outlet than hitting the ball over the net," said Rogers.

"I got invited to play in Hong Kong and found myself up against Jonah Lomu and a couple of current All Blacks. It was very physical, I kept up with the pace and I really enjoyed it.

"After that I played a couple of veterans games and then the Bridgend team manager Colin Hillman asked me if I fancied a challenge. He said he wanted me to help bring on the younger front row forwards at the club and thought I could play at the Premiership level and offer them something.

"To be honest, I jumped at the chance and I can't wait to get started. I know a few things have changed with the scrummaging laws, but I'm sure I'll get up to speed pretty quickly.

"I've signed a contract for one season, but my aim now is to be a semi-professional rugby player at the age of 40. I've got no ambitions of trying to play at any higher level and I just hope I can pass on some knowledge to the younger players.

"I think it is vital that players with experience help the younger players. There are a number of highly promising Wales U19 front row players at Bridgend and it will be great to work with them."

Rogers went to South Africa after spending half a season at Bridgend before re-emerging at London Irish in 1998. Graham Henry brought him into his squad and he was at the heart of the Welsh pack that won 10 consecutive matches in 1999.

In fact, he started in every single one of those games and boasted a 10 match unbeaten record in his first 10 tests. He made his last Welsh appearance against South Africa in 2000.

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