Today we speak to Welsh rugby star Wesley Cunliffe from Newport who in his own words says the sport saved him from a life of crime. At a very young age, as the eldest of his siblings, driven by poverty, circumstance and tragedy, he was stealing to feed his family. By the age of 13 he was recruited by a drug gang to babysit their stash, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy.

He worked for the gang to support his family. At the age of 16 he underwent life saving surgery when he was stabbed six times for a bag full of drugs after he was followed by rival gang members and set upon. This was the turning point for him.

He found rugby, developed a passion for it and with the support of family and the police he went on to play semi professional rugby and is coaching people from disadvantaged backgrounds at the school of hard knocks.

Wes chats with Sarah and Trina about his experience of being attacked and stabbed and seeing the effects on his family as he lay in hospital.

In his own words.

He talks about his semi professional career playing rugby, how he wasn't judged for where he came from or the colour of his skin when he played and continues to play . He said rugby became like a "second father" to him.

He's now helping young people who find themselves stuck in the scenarios he got involved in and diverting them away from criminal behaviour.

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