Welsh rugby stalwart to start new life in USA but is already planning return in key role

Former Dragons star Steff Hughes is preparing to start his new life in the United States but says he plans to one day return to Wales to continue his playing career.

The 30-year-old, who was club captain at Rodney Parade last season, confirmed earlier this month that he would be leaving the region in November to take up a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity on the other side of the Atlantic. Hughes, who was granted an early release from his contract with the Dragons, will link up with former defence coach Simon Cross at Major League Rugby side Old Glory DC.

The move - which Hughes described as "too good to miss" - means that he and his partner Aneura, as well as their one-year-old son Levi, will be spending Christmas in very different surroundings to their usual setting of Penylan in Cardiff.

READ MORE:Wales announce new venues for U20s Six Nations matches in move away from north

READ MORE:Welsh rugby player cleared of designer watch robbery

"When I decided to go for it the first thing Anuera said was that we had to celebrate Christmas in New York, and celebrate like what you see in the movies!" he told the BBC. "This is the first time I've had Christmas off for years - having the chance to walk around Central Park and Times Square will be quite different to a game on Rodney Parade, and I have to admit we're all looking forward to it."

After over a decade in Welsh rugby - which has also seen him play a century of games for the Scarlets and captain Wales U20s - packing up and leaving for Washington DC was not a decision Hughes made lightly. But after weighing it up and considering his future and family security, the centre knew he had to take the leap.

"I've always been keen to go away and learn something new and different," he said. "Playing for 14 seasons in Wales shapes your thinking somewhat, but this worked as an opportunity to play a bit and do a bit of training.

"I was at a bit of a crossroads in terms of my career, and as a young family the timing was perfect and an opportunity too good to miss and it has worked more at the right time."

But Hughes added that, far from seeing out his playing days in the USA, he planned to one day return to Welsh rugby and put what he he has learnt to good use.

"One of the main attractions was the opportunity to do more training - that was certainly appealing," he continued. "Hopefully I can bring those skills back to Wales, but I think it's important to go away and learn something different.

"Until you leave and learn maybe you look at things introspectively - I will of course make mistakes but that will be part of the journey. Who knows where it will take me but one day I can bring those skills back to Wales."

The former Dragons man leaves for the States having never won an international cap, with a place in the Wales squad eluding him amid fierce competition for places in midfield for much of his career. But the uncapped Hughes insists he's "not angry at all" about being overlooked and is instead focusing on the future, with ambitions of one day entering the Welsh set-up in a coaching role.

"I don't regret much," he said as he reflected on his career to date. "An international cap would have been great but the guys who have played for Wales in recent years in midfield have been physical and resilient. I tried to be a more creative player and try to help other players."

"I'm not angry at all, that was Wales' style and that's it. I'm very proud of what I've done, I've played over 100 games for the Scarlets and captained them and the Dragons. That chance (to win a cap) never came as a player unfortunately, but that's not something that worries me, and maybe I'll get the chance as a coach one day."