Wales star dumped by Gatland reveals struggles and Covid habit he slipped into
Wales prop Rhys Carre has revealed he spent 13 weeks drinking every day after being stuck in a London flat on his own during Covid.The 28-year-old, who has established himself as Wales' first-choice loosehead following a Test recall last year, has experienced some lows during his career to date.And the former Cardiff prop has now opened up on these issues in a candid interview."I've had my mental issues, I've had issues with alcohol," said Carre in an interview with former Scotland second-row Jim Hamilton on Saracens' YouTube channel."I've never enjoyed rugby properly as much as the other boys do. So I think from that, I've struggled in my own way just trying to balance it all out and get rid of some of the not good things for me and just focus on my career."It's taken four or five years to get where I am now. I think I'm just getting a grasp on it now, which is perfect with the World Cup around the corner and Steve (Tandy) taking over Wales."I think it was just Covid and losing my way for a bit. I was on my own for 13 weeks during Covid, in my flat and I didn't see anyone.JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more"It was a bit crap. I got through it and thought I'd had a great time."Afterwards I realised how much I'd probably messed myself up. I'd wake up, drink, wake up, drink. That's all I did for 13 weeks."I went from 130 kilos to 160-odd in three months. All the stuff I'd done was not good for anyone, but if only I'd known that at the time."I got lost. I was in a flat on my own, I was 21. I thought I was indestructible."Carre also opened up on the time that Warren Gatland dropped him from his World Cup training squad in 2023, citing the prop's failure to meet fitness targets as the reason."We had a chat in the Six Nations prior to the World Cup," added Carre. "A few things were said and a few promises were broken."A few targets were changed at the last minute which made me feel let down. I didn't even know if I wanted to do a World Cup."All those weeks of intense work and I don't know if I want to be there with these guys, because of all the mind games that was going on. That's not me."I just want to play rugby. But there was always more. It was I need you to prove this to me, I need you to prove that to me."That's just not me. It got to the point where they were judging me on what I weighed in the morning rather than anything I did on the park."They didn't care what I did on the pitch, it was just what I weighed in the morning. That ground me down eventually. I didn't want to be there in the end."It was Gats or nothing. They all spoke to him and he had the final say on everything. There wasn't a lot you could say. I think it's done me a favour in the long-run."Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.
